What is the point of spending $$$ on cabinets?

DH and I are trying to figure this out. Since kitchens tend to look outdated in 10 years or so, what's the point in buying cabinets to last forever? I know some people don't intend to ever replace their kitchen again, so yes it would make sense in that scenario. We would rather just replace them in once they start to look dated, which is very likely well before even lower priced cabinets will start to fall apart.

Are we missing something?

Re: What is the point of spending $$$ on cabinets?

I don't think a tastefully done kitchen will look dated in 10 years. I redid my kitchen in my first house 8 years ago and it really looks no different than kitchens being done today. Far from dated.

Re: What is the point of spending $$$ on cabinets?

We intentionally did ours in a very timeless, classic design. I've seen kitchens that are several decades old that look very similar to ours. The only thing that might look "2000s" is the stainless steel appliances, when we can always replace when they stop working.
I also think "dated" kitchen don't really look that dated for about 20 years, unless they are bleeding-edge trendy looks.

Re: What is the point of spending $$$ on cabinets?

Ok, so even 20 years. Do you really need to spend top dollar for cabinets to last 20 years? I'm just thinking I've never seen cabinets really fall apart unless they're bottom of the barrel cheap.

For example, white is all the rage now. White is fairly timeless but I do think in 10-15 years it might be way over and everyone is doing wood tones.

edit for typo

Message edited 3/11/2015 10:49:22 AM.

Re: What is the point of spending $$$ on cabinets?

I agree with above posters. The kitchen we chose, backsplash, etc we made sure to pick something timeless.

Re: What is the point of spending $$$ on cabinets?

20 years is only for trendy styles. Most people get classic style kitchens, which won't look dated for possibly 40 years or more.

Even going with 20 years.... how many items that cost a lot of money last 20 years? People spend $50k+ on a car that they get rid of in 5-10 years. Refrigerators can be $3k or more, and last 10-15 years. $$ cabinets are stronger, won't fall apart near the end of 20 years, and can easily be refaced, saving tons of money. Over the course of a lifetime, $$ cabinets will wind up costing less, since they will need less maintenance, and updating them will be much cheaper than updating cheap cabinets (which have to get completely replaced, often damaging the wall and backsplash and countertop).

How many years do you really want to deal with "Yeah, you can't use that drawer because the track broke", or "The door fell off of that cabinet, and we tried to fix it, but it just won't stay on anymore".

I personally don't care what anyone has in their own kitchen, but I am definitely glad we got higher-end cabinets in our kitchen.

Re: What is the point of spending $$$ on cabinets?

Re: What is the point of spending $$$ on cabinets?

Re: What is the point of spending $$$ on cabinets?

Re: What is the point of spending $$$ on cabinets?

Posted by GoldenRod

There's nothing wrong with any decision you make for you house, but when asking for other people's reasoning for why they spent more money than you think is worth it, the reasons won't coincide with your decision, and that's OK.
Personally, I would never skimp on cabinets if I could avoid it. I've had cheap cabinets, and to me, they weren't worth it.

New cars cost between $12k and $1.5 million. People spend what they think they need, for whatever reason it is. I spent more on cabinets because I think it's worth it. I don't spend a lot on cars because I think I just need something reliable to get me from point A to point B.

Re: What is the point of spending $$$ on cabinets?

I should clarify, we are talking about solid wood cabinets, just not the most expensive option available. I guess there is a very wide range when talking cabinets and price.

eta- Thank you everyone for the thought out responses! I do appreciate them.

Message edited 3/12/2015 11:23:51 AM.

Re: What is the point of spending $$$ on cabinets?

Posted by TheWhiteRabbit

Posted by GoldenRod

There's nothing wrong with any decision you make for you house, but when asking for other people's reasoning for why they spent more money than you think is worth it, the reasons won't coincide with your decision, and that's OK.
Personally, I would never skimp on cabinets if I could avoid it. I've had cheap cabinets, and to me, they weren't worth it.

New cars cost between $12k and $1.5 million. People spend what they think they need, for whatever reason it is. I spent more on cabinets because I think it's worth it. I don't spend a lot on cars because I think I just need something reliable to get me from point A to point B.

Well said. It's like ANY purchase you make, be it for your home, your personal care, your children… I feel like this can be said of any purchase - "Why go to Columbia? You get the same education at Stony Brook." Some people feel it's the same thing, some people think one is better, some people think it doesn't matter. Everyone has to weigh all the factors and make their decision based on their needs and budget.

I do not agree that a kitchen will look dated in 10 years when 'timeless' choices are picked, and I do not think that less expensive cabinets (in general) are as well made as solid wood cabinets, but we all make the decision we're comfortable with based on the amount we are comfortable spending.

We chose an all solid wood cabinet, that was constructed and joined a particular way, that used particular hardware, that had certain features, finished a certain way and they were more expensive than some other cabinets were. Frame or frameless? Inset or not? Are they solid wood? How are they joined? How are the shelves put in? What is the process they use on the finish? What material is the box? The frame? The doors? I don't want to spend more money on the same thing, but I don't believe the less expensive cabinets are better nor do I think they will stand up to the abuse I put my kitchen through. That's my decision for my lifestyle that I am comfortable with. Some people don't research or know what to ask or look for, so they do pay more for something that's "not as good", and some people pay less for something that's better - you have to research and find the product that has all the features you're looking for and try to get the best price on that. I want the cheapest price, but on a particular construction.

That said, I certainly wouldn't come on here and comment "Why would you get cheaper cabinets? They're not as good as more expensive ones." and question someone's decision to get them, that's kind of insulting to people who, for whatever reason, chose the less expensive cabinet. Everyone makes the decision that works for their situation, I don't judge or question them for it. I'm sure you didn't mean it that way, but your post sounds like "you're an idiot if you spend more on cabinets"

Message edited 3/12/2015 11:31:03 AM.

Re: What is the point of spending $$$ on cabinets?

Sparrow- I think I get what you're asking and I don't disagree.
I can tell you within 3 or 4 years when any kitchen was installed. Maybe it's because my DH is a builder so I've seen a million kitchens.
I don't think there is a truly timeless kitchen style. Popularity in wood tones, glaze or no glaze, door style, etc all give clues as to when the kitchen was installed and link it to that point in time. Although white cabinets probably seem the most classic the door style can make it seem dated in 10 years.
Counters, flooring, appliances and backsplashes define it even more.
We've been in our our house for 11 years. We cook at home 95% of meals plus we entertain very often, 30 guests or more is not uncommon for holidays and I prepare everything in our kitchen.
Our house was not mortgageable when we bought it due to severe water issues from broken pipes so we had to put it back together quickly so we could get a loan.
Our budget was tight, there was a lot to do. We purchased stock cabinets from Home Depot. We spent a total of $2500 on everything including moving a wall. We even did custom Formica counters ( gasp) We used the appliances we had. Eventually we added an island, got new appliances and hardwood flooring.
We said at the time we would only keep this kitchen for a few years but the layout is great and it works for us.
Are my cabinets fancy? nope but they are in great condition even after 11 years of abuse and if I wake up hating them tomorrow it's no big deal.
My SIL moved into her brand new house with upgraded cabinets around the same time as us, hers are falling apart but she slams doors and drawers. She's really rough, constantly pulls the handle off her microwave.
I think most people can buy middle of road cabinets and still get an awesome, durable result without breaking the bank.

Re: What is the point of spending $$$ on cabinets?

i also think many people think you have to spend a lot of money to get good quality.. and vice versa. they think if you spend less they are not good.

you can go out there and find great quality for less if you do your research. i hear what some people paid for their kitchens and im like im in love with my kitchen and didn't spend all that much. it's a pretty timeless look, at leats for me anyway.