There’s something undeniably appealing about those flawless display kitchen cabinets you see in showrooms or online. It’s completely normal to admire their sleek designs and imagine them in your own kitchen.
But before you get swept away by the aesthetics, it’s important to stay grounded—choosing the right display cabinet for your space takes more than just good taste. Without careful planning, you could end up dealing with shady sellers or stuck with cabinets that don’t fit and can’t be returned.
So, how do you find the right display kitchen cabinets—and make sure they’re a smart investment? This guide breaks down everything you need to know to buy with confidence.
Where to Buy Display Kitchen Cabinets
It’s often not feasible for brands and retailers to showcase their entire cabinet inventory. So, they pick the best from their different styles and designs to display. Businesses will also feature cabinets on displays just to sell faster and clear out stock.
Where can you find these display kitchen cabinets? Here are a few places to consider:
1. Local Showrooms/ Design Centers
Nothing is more convenient than visiting a local showroom or design center set up by your favorite cabinet brand.
You can see and feel the quality of the cabinets up close and speak to a professional designer for guidance. That way, you’re better positioned to pick the ideal fit for your space.
The downside is that local showrooms may lack the variety enjoyed by online stores. They also tend to be more expensive, covering showroom rent and staff salaries.
2. Online Stores
We fall in this category, and it comes with a load of goodies. Online stores eliminate most overhead costs incurred by local showrooms. They neither pay rent at prime locations nor maintain a large staff.
Unlike local showrooms that may be tied to a few suppliers, we invest in hiring experts and sourcing our inventory from multiple manufacturers.
Display kitchen cabinets from reputable online stores like ours are usually competitively priced, and you also get frequent discounts and offers.
The convenience factor is also much higher. Just browse and shop for cabinets comfortably from home as you don’t have to visit multiple showrooms to compare prices.
Here’s how to choose kitchen cabinets online.
3. Auction/Liquidation Sites
If your priority is cutting costs and finding the best deal, auction and liquidation sites are worth exploring. These sites don’t specialize in cabinets only; their main focus is selling a wide range of items from bankrupt companies or surplus stock.
You’ll have to invest extra time and effort to find quality cabinets from the vast range of products offered. Sales through these channels are frequently sold “as-is” which means you’ll need to be on the look out for structural issues and other imperfections that might make the cabinets your looking at unusable. However, if you’re willing to put in the work, you can make huge savings by bidding on cabinets at these sites.
Your priority should be saving money, as liquidators and auction sites may not offer the same level of customer support or return policies as traditional retailers.
Don’t forget about local options, such as:
- Garage sales.
- Flea markets.
- Thrift stores.
- Estate sales.
They often lack brand-new cabinets. Instead, you’ll likely snag gently used ones at a fraction of the cost. Plus, you’ll be supporting your local community.
4. Contractor Partnerships
Thinking outside the box, you can also save money by partnering with contractors or tradespeople looking to offload old cabinets from their projects. This strategy requires some networking and research, but it could result in a win-win situation for both parties.
You can also consider building relationships with home renovation companies, as they often have excess materials from completed projects. They’ll be willing to sell such materials at a discounted rate, and you’ll reduce your costs while also building strong partnerships within the local renovation community.
This option is great for boosting your home value before selling or leasing it.
How to Buy Display Kitchen Cabinets
In this section, we’re reviewing how to evaluate display cabinets before buying. You want the best quality you can get so your cabinets last longer and maintain your kitchen’s appeal.
Here are some tips:
1. Verify the Dimensions
Kitchen designs and dimensions vary, so the first step of buying display kitchen cabinets starts at home. You need a designer to help you figure out what will work for your kitchen and how it will fit.
Then, verify the dimensions of your ideal display kitchen cabinets against the dimensions of your kitchen. Make ample allowance for ventilation and plumbing.
Once you have confirmed the dimensions, double check if you can easily open and close the cabinets without obstructions.
2. Inspect for Damage
Longevity, aesthetics, and functionality are three main aspects to consider when purchasing display cabinets. Damages like scratches, dents, and discoloration have a negative impact on all three.
Thrift thrills, highlight features, and display lighting often draw the first part of your attention. However, you’ll want to take a step back and examine the outer surface for any flaws. Inspect all areas, including corners, edges, and handles, for any defects.
3. Check Completeness
Cabinets feature multiple components. Some of them include:
- Hinges.
- Drawers.
- Doors.
- Shelves.
- Knobs and handles.
Showrooms and online vendors can accidentally exclude one or multiple components of their display cabinets. Ensure all the components are present.
4. Warranty/Return Policy
What’s more reassuring than a manufacturer that backs their products with warranties or money-back guarantees?
At Designer Cabinets Online, we work with the most reputable designers and contractors to distribute our products. We’re so confident about our quality that we’re friendly and accommodating with our return policy.
Avoid the hassle and worry of purchasing subpar display cabinets when warranties and return policies are available.
5. Verify Finish Consistency Under Different Lighting
Beware of color illusions that could mislead you when checking out display kitchen cabinets. Sometimes, what you see isn’t what you get.
A cabinet’s finish may appear consistent under some lighting conditions but show color variations in others. Since your kitchen lighting and colors will differ from those in the showroom, it’s important to verify the finish consistency under various lighting conditions.
6. Brand Reputation
KraftMaid, JSI Cabinets, Ultracraft, and Norcraft are recognized for their quality and have established reputations in the kitchen cabinet industry. They’ve built their reputations on producing high-quality cabinets that are both stylish and functional.
That’s why Designer Cabinets Online partners with these brands to provide our customers with the best options for their kitchen design needs.
Cost-Saving Tips When Buying Display Cabinets
1. Timing Matters
Timing matters in every sector and market, and display cabinet prices also vary from time to time. You need to plan for off-peak seasons when prices are lower.
These seasons vary from one region to another and according to the cabinet type. For instance, winter is usually an off-peak season for outdoor display cabinets in colder climates.
What about Black Friday deals and other holiday sales? You can take advantage of these to get discounts on your display cabinet purchase.
Ultimately, you need to know when it’s the best time to buy kitchen cabinets.
2. Bulk Discounts
Let me let in on a secret: you can score huge discounts if you collaborate with your friends and family to make a bulk purchase.
Brands enjoy the advantages of scale when they produce in bulk, and they pass these benefits on to their customers. Purchasing cabinet sets or multiple units at once can often lead to discounts. It’s advisable to check with local retailers or manufacturers about any available bulk purchase incentives.
For example, buying cabinet sets is more economical than individual cabinets. Check with your local cabinet retailers or manufacturers to see if they offer any bulk discounts.
Another smart way to save money is to join a co-op. Co-ops are groups of individuals who combine their buying power to access wholesale prices. You can join an existing co-op or start one with your friends and family. This way, you all benefit from quality kitchen cabinets at affordable prices.
3. Compare Shipping Costs
Don’t be one of the folks who forgets about shipping costs, only to get blindsided at checkout. Don’t forget about shipping costs when comparing prices.
Some companies may offer lower product prices but have higher shipping costs, while others may have higher product prices and free shipping. Do the math and compare overall costs.
You can also try negotiating with the company for reduced or free shipping, especially if you’re buying in bulk.
4. Consider Customizable Options
Who doesn’t want more control over the products they purchase? Many online stores offer customizable options, allowing customers to choose colors, sizes, materials, and more.
That boosts your chances of receiving a product that meets your specific needs and preferences. Plus, you get to create something unique and truly personalized.
Transporting and Installing Display Cabinets
When explaining how to order display cabinets, it’s necessary to also mention the steps involved in transporting and installing them. Display cabinets can be bulky and fragile, so you must handle them with care.
Professional Delivery vs. DIY Pickup
Display cabinets are precious and frangible. Unless you’re equipped and skilled, it’s best to let professionals handle the delivery for you.
If anything is damaged before you sign the delivery note, it’s the delivery company and its insurer that will end up covering the costs. But if you prefer DIY pickups, you can’t blame anyone else for damages incurred during transportation. If you can safely do it yourself, you’ll save money—but not necessarily time.
Contractor vs. Self-Installation
Our biased opinion leans towards hiring contractors for a good reason. Cabinets are high value, more valuable than their actual prices, because they profoundly affect your kitchen’s look and function.
Established contractors are also insured, so if anything goes wrong, it’s easier to cover the costs. They’re professionals who have honed their craft over the years, so they do it quickly and properly.
Work With Us for Quality and Savings
The best way to buy display kitchen cabinets is via our online platform. We offer free quotes for our services and guarantee you will get the best prices possible.
We have direct relationships with manufacturers, so we cut out the middleman and pass on those savings to you. We’re also available fully online, so we don’t have the overhead costs of a physical showroom, allowing us to offer even lower prices.
Just because we offer low prices doesn’t mean we skimp on quality. That’s why we also avail our designers for custom kitchen cabinet installations.
In case you’re wondering, here’s how much KraftMaid kitchen cabinets cost.