Affordable Cabinet Options for

Memphis Homeowners

Renovating your home requires a significant investment from you as the homeowner. If you have a limited budget, it is crucial to choose affordable options without sacrificing the functionality, durability, and appeal of your home. This consideration is even more important in choosing the cabinets for your Memphis home. After all, your cabinets are expected to carry significant weight, experience significant wear, and influence the appearance of your interiors.

With this article, you can explore affordable cabinet options for remodeling or constructing your home and some tips on how to keep your costs low without sacrificing appeal and functionality.

The Importance of Budget-Friendly Cabinetry

Budget-friendly cabinetry is crucial if you want to save on costs and keep your home remodel within your budget. But, often, when people see something labeled as budget-friendly, they assume it is cheap, meaning it falls short of providing a good quality and aesthetic product. This is not the case at all. 

There are budget-friendly cabinets with good durability and appeal. Some of these affordable cabinets even offer ways to customize their cabinet style, hardware, and finish. And, as long as you choose the appropriate material for your cabinets, some can even last for many years, allowing you to make the most of your investment. 

When investing in affordable cabinets, there needs to be a balance between affordability and quality. Good craftsmanship ensures a quality experience that lasts, enhancing the functionality and aesthetics of your home. With smart design choices and suitable material choices, the cabinets can last whether they are placed in your kitchen or bathroom or experience heavy use from you and your family. And, when you decide to sell your house in the future, potential buyers might find your quality cabinets appealing and see your property as more valuable.

Popular Affordable Cabinet Materials in Memphis

The material of your cabinets influences the overall aesthetic and long-term durability of your storage solutions. Here are some affordable cabinet material options to consider for your home’s remodel:

Laminate

Laminate is made of a strong core material of compressed wood or wood particles and melamine. On all sides of this core, a layer of printed paper or vinyl film is applied. The core provides the stability and structure of the material while the layers have the material’s design printed on it and protect the core against moisture, scratches, and other forms of damage.

Laminate is a popular affordable material for homeowners looking to upgrade or remodel their cabinets. It is available in a variety of designs and styles so you can find the perfect aesthetic fit, whether you have sleek and modern or traditional and rustic interior design. High-quality laminate is highly resistant to scratches, stains, fading damage, and deformation caused by moisture. And, laminate cabinets are easy to maintain, requiring only basic cleaning to remove dirt, spills, and stains. 

As for its drawbacks, laminate material is susceptible to chipping or peeling caused by excessive force and sharp implements. Any damage or wear it gets is irreversible. And, although it is moisture resistant, prolonged exposure to water will cause its top layer to peel or warp.

Thermofoil

Thermofoil is a material made through the process of thermoforming. This involves heating a thin layer of vinyl and molding it over medium-density fiberboard or engineered wood. This process results in a seamless and uniform surface resembling the appearance of painted wood. 

Thermofoil cabinets have high moisture resistance, making them an excellent material for bathroom and kitchen cabinets. Their smooth and non-porous surface makes them easy to clean and maintain. And, with its availability in various colors and styles, you can find a thermofoil cabinet that goes perfectly well with the design you are trying to create.

On the other hand, thermofoil cabinets are susceptible to damage derived from heat or impact. Any damage can be difficult to repair and often requires replacing the damaged panel completely. Thermofoil is also susceptible to discoloration when exposed to direct sunlight or harsh chemicals.

Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF)

Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) or particle board is a composite wood product made from wood fibers and resin pressed together under high temperature and pressure. It has a heavier weight than most woods but its smooth surface makes it perfect for a painted finish.

Medium-density fiberboards are less prone to cracking or warping even when exposed to humidity and temperature changes. It lacks the noticeable grain found in natural wood, so you can get a smoother finish with paint, which is perfect for modern interior design. 

As for its disadvantages as a cabinet material, medium-density fiberboard cabinets are easily scratched, and cannot be sanded out. It is not ideal for wall or hanging cabinets given its heavy weight. Unfinished and exposed edges will absorb moisture and water, causing the material to deteriorate or warp. And, it does not hold up to heavy use, so it is not the best choice for busy areas in your home.

Looking to upgrade your countertops? Learn more about our extensive collection of countertop materials and designs.

Cost-Saving Tips and Tricks for Cabinets

Discover the different ways to save on your cabinets without compromising on their quality, appeal, and durability:

1. Choose a More Affordable Cabinet Door Style

Some cabinet door styles are more expensive, such as inset and raised panel cabinet doors. If you want to save on your cabinet remodel, choose a more affordable cabinet door style like Shaker-style cabinet doors and flat panel or slab cabinet doors.

2. Install Open Shelving Instead of Wall Cabinets

Open shelves have a lower cost than wall cabinets and choosing them will help you cut costs for your home remodel. Even opting for just a few open shelves instead of getting cabinets for all of your wall storage can help with your budget.

3. Choose an Affordable Cabinet Material

Choosing a more affordable material for your cabinets can cut hundreds of dollars off the total cost. Some of the most affordable cabinet materials you can choose are laminate, thermofoil, and MDF. But, if you prefer wood for your cabinets, we suggest looking into oak or plywood for its material.

Whether you’re looking for affordable cabinet material or premium ones, Southern Stone offers the finest selection of cabinets in Memphis.

4. Stick to the Basic Features

Foregoing soft-closing drawers and full-extension slides in your cabinets will save you money. These are not essential for an appealing cabinet design and fully functional storage for your home. Instead, stick to basic door pulls and slides for your drawers.

5. Install More Doors and Fewer Drawers

Having fewer drawers in your design can help cut costs without sacrificing the quality of your cabinets. This is not surprising as drawer bases use more material than a cabinet door. So, look for ways to incorporate more cabinet doors in your design and only use drawers where completely necessary.

6. Do Not Install Pull-Out Storage

Pull-outs add convenience to your cabinets. But it also adds a significant amount to how much it will cost. So, whether it’s a trash bin, sliding shelves, or a corner drawer, look for more affordable and practical alternatives.
home interior with a hardwood floor, a living room, a wooden dining table, a white and brown kitchen island with a sink, and chandelier lighting fixtures with candle designs.

7. Moderate Customizations

More detailed cabinet designs are more expensive. Crown molding, corbels, decorative legs, matching end panels, and glass door fronts are purely cosmetic customizations. Avoid installing these to cut down on the price of your cabinets and instead, invest more in their material and craftsmanship.
a cozy bathroom vanity area with a mirror, blue-gray cabinets beneath the countertop, and an oval sink

8. Don’t Glaze Your Cabinets

Glaze gives your cabinets additional detail. But, this is an expensive addition to its design. And, considering the fact it is not essential to your cabinets, it is better to not glaze them.

Ready to Upgrade Your Home with Affordable Yet Stylish Cabinets?

Whether you’re revitalizing your kitchen, remodeling your bathroom, or transforming your living spaces, you have several affordable cabinet options for your Memphis home with My Southern Stone & Cabinets. Our wide selection of materials, styles, and finishes allows you to create the look you want without going over your budget. And, with our quality products and excellent craftsmanship, you can maximize your investment, and rest assured that it can last for many years to come.

Contact us today to explore the options for affordable cabinets for your Memphis home!