What kind of cabinets will benefit your kitchen most?

Chew on the pros and cons of these three cabinet styles before you embark on a kitchen renovation.

When renovating a kitchen, you need to think about whether you want custom, prefabricated or semi-prefabricated cabinets. Your budget and timing will likely determine which of the three you choose.

If you are on a tight budget, prefabricated or semi-prefabricated cabinets are the way to go because they are less expensive than a custom kitchen. And if you need your kitchen reno to be completed in a short amount of time, they’re also the better option as they take less time to deliver.

Custom cabinets are handmade to the specifications of your kitchen designs. They are usually well-made using high-quality materials and finishes, and can meet your exact needs — from your kitchen layout, to the type of cabinet design and inlay you want, to the precise colour. Because they're custom made for you, they'll give your kitchen a more upscale and distinct look and feel. The downsides of custom cabinets are that they usually take longer to make, because they're handmade to order. They're also the most expensive option due to the labour and materials involved. Prices will vary greatly depending on the carpenter or company, materials, size and features of the cabinets, so you should get at least two or three quotes.

Prefabricated cabinets are a more economical option, as they are mass-produced using lower quality materials. They are available in a variety of sizes, styles and finishes, and are often prepared the same day or within a few days of purchase. Prefabricated cabinets usually offer some specialized options and can be the ideal solution for projects with a limited budget.

Semi-prefabricated cabinets are a bit of a hybrid between custom and prefabricated. They offer a few more options in storage features, design and style than their prefabricated counterparts, as well as a greater choice of woods and finishes. They also offer more functionality with features such as shelves, swivel shelves and vertical dividers, among others. Semi-prefabricated cabinets typically take longer to be manufactured and delivered than prefabricated cabinets, and will cost a bit more as well, but still not nearly as much as custom.