New kitchen cabinets can make a big difference in how your home looks and functions, but a beautiful showroom display doesn't always mean you're getting a well-made product.
We’ve been down this path—from IKEA to Amazon Basics to products that we expect to feel like quality—there are lots of desirable options, but many of them fall short. Even in some thought-to-be high-end showrooms, cabinets might look great, but actually use cheap materials, weak hardware, or poor construction that won't hold up to daily use.
"The things worth paying more for are the ones that take daily wear,” shared Bridgette Simpkins, Design Specialist at The Designery. Quality cabinet boxes, heavy-duty hinges, and durable drawer glides are just a few of the things she recommends.
When it comes to saving money, she encourages homeowners to match the door material to the finish they want. “For example, a painted slab door works well in MDF, which is more affordable and actually takes paint beautifully, while a stained slab door needs real wood to look right."
Before making your investment, look beyond the door style and finish. We’re highlighting seven red flags that you might overlook.
1. Staple-and-Glue Construction in the Cabinet Box
The cabinet box forms the structure of your cabinets. It supports the doors, drawers, shelves, and everything you store inside. If the corners and joints aren't well made, the cabinet could become less stable over time.
Look closely at the exposed corners of showroom displays. The product you select doesn’t necessarily need to be as high-end as dovetail, but staples and glue can be a red flag. When used to hold the box together, they can be a sign of lower-cost construction.
While you’re at it, ask what materials make up the cabinet box. All-plywood construction is generally a worthwhile upgrade for homeowners looking for durability, at least in your hardest working cabinets.
2. Plastic Corner Connectors
Take a look at the back of the cabinet, especially where the sides and bottom meet. Some lower-cost cabinets use plastic parts to hold the corners together. These connectors can be easy to miss when you're focused on the visible door fronts and finishes.
It’s fair to question the use of mechanical connectors, staples, or other joining methods. Don't be afraid to look inside or ask to see behind a display if the construction isn't immediately visible.
3. Doors and Drawers That Slam Shut
We’re team Soft-Close all day, every day. Cabinet doors and drawers get plenty of use, so their hardware needs to handle repeated opening and closing. If they slam shut, stick, or feel stiff, skip it.
Of course, homeowners can upgrade most existing hardware to soft close mechanisms (good to keep in mind if you’re only replacing doorfronts), but when you’re installing all new cabinets, request it to be included upfront. In addition to the doors, pay attention to the hinges and drawer glides, too. Lightweight (cheap) drawer hardware can wear out faster, especially when drawers hold heavy cookware or dishes.
4. Peeling or Lifting Cabinet Finishes
A cabinet finish should look consistent across the entire door and drawer front, and, well, most showroom cabinets do. However, if you look closely at the corners and edges, you might notice signs of peeling or lifting from years of display. Pay special attention to painted cabinets, since the corners can reveal problems with the finish. Oh, and also pay attention to how the finish is handling fingerprints and scuffs, because in the right light, you might think differently about certain finishes.
Material choice also matters. MDF can be a good option for painted slab doors because it provides a smooth surface for paint (and save you a few bucks). Stained slab doors are a different story; real wood is a better choice when you want the natural grain to show through.
5. Weak Shelves and Misaligned Shelf Pin Holes
Challenge the weight limit of shelves if you have a chance to see them in a showroom. Big stack of books. Some cast iron cookware. A KitchenAid stand mixer. Or maybe a small child (hey, they will climb in those lower cabs). The point is, remember that your shelves need to support real weight, so if they feel flimsy or sag under light pressure, they might not hold up well once the cabinets are full. That all underscores that thickness matters. If possible, ask about weight limits and available shelf upgrades.
While you’re at it, check how the shelves sit inside the cabinet. Are the shelf pins sturdy? Are the holes evenly spaced and aligned? Misaligned holes can make it difficult to adjust shelf heights or keep shelves level, and some of those plastic pegs can be really weak, or flex under the weight of the shelf.
6. Drawers That Don't Fully Extend
A drawer that only opens partway can make it hard to reach items stored in the back, and we all know that, yet how often do you open the drawer ALL THE WAY in a showroom?
Always check for (or request) full-extension drawer glides so you can access nearly the entire drawer. Partial-extension models leave some of the storage space out of reach.
This isn’t a tip for the big drawers, either. Small utensil drawers and deep cookware drawers might use different hardware, so don't assume they're all built the same way.
7. Built-In Accessories That Don't Fit or Function Properly
Pull-out trash bins, spice racks, corner organizers, and sliding shelves can make kitchen storage more useful, but these accessories need to work with the cabinet they're installed in.
We actually ditched our pull-out trash bins after being dissatisfied at how the system worked. And while I’m impressed at how manufacturers have come up with corner cabinet solutions beyond the ‘lazy susan’ we all grew up with, lots of those modern corner organizers (like arrow-shaped drawers and blind-corner pullouts) can be more complex to use in reality, especially if clearances with appliances and other doors are tight.
Our biggest tip: Test any built-in accessories before you commit. Work ‘em. Pull them out, push them back, and check whether they move smoothly. Look for wobbling, sticking, or parts that feel flimsy. Also, ask whether the cabinet itself is built to support the accessory and the weight of whatever you'll store inside. Sometimes the concept is cool, but the execution is a flop.
FAQs About Updating Kitchen Cabinets
Are more expensive kitchen cabinets always better quality?
Not necessarily. A higher price can reflect decorative finishes, door styles, brand names, or added features rather than better construction. Compare the cabinet box materials, drawer joints, hinges, and glides before making a decision. You can also save by choosing materials that suit the finish you're after rather than upgrading every component.
What's the biggest mistake homeowners make when choosing new cabinets?
According to Simpkins, it's settling for cabinets without thinking enough about function and storage. A beautiful kitchen can still be frustrating if there's not enough room for cookware, dishes, pantry items, or small appliances. Before choosing a cabinet layout, think about what you own, how you use your kitchen, and where you want everyday items stored.
