You’ve been dreaming of your kitchen remodel for years: scrolling through inspiration photos, picking out your favorite cabinet styles, and imagining how it’ll all come together. But when it comes time to choose your cabinetry, the endless options can quickly become overwhelming. One wrong decision can impact how your kitchen looks, functions, and even how long it lasts.
At Custom Built Design & Remodeling, we understand how big a decision this is. For over two decades, we’ve helped families across Greater Lansing and Northern Michigan design kitchens that are both beautiful and built to last.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the ten most common mistakes homeowners make when choosing kitchen cabinets and show you how to avoid them. With the right planning, materials, and guidance, your kitchen can be as functional as it is stunning:
- Choosing Style Over Function
- Ignoring Material Quality
- Overlooking Proper Layout and Proportion
- Forgetting About Long-Term Maintenance
- Neglecting Lighting and Color Coordination
- Skipping Hardware and Interior Features
- Underestimating Budget and Installation Costs
- Not Considering Future Resale Value
- Failing to Plan for Storage Efficiency
- Skipping Professional Design Guidance
1. Choosing Style Over Function
It’s easy to get caught up in door styles, colors, and finishes, but the most beautiful kitchen won’t feel right if it doesn’t function well.
Every family uses their kitchen differently. A large family might need plenty of drawers for dishes and deep cabinets for storage, while a couple who eats out often may prefer more open shelving for aesthetics.
A few examples we often see include:
- All floating shelves and nowhere to store glasses or cookware.
- Too few drawers for daily-use items like plates and bowls.
- Oversized cabinetry that limits countertop prep space.
The best design starts with your lifestyle. Think about how you cook, clean, and entertain before finalizing your layout.
2. Ignoring Material Quality
Cabinet materials vary widely, from budget-friendly particleboard to high-quality hardwoods. While it’s tempting to cut costs here, cheaper materials often show wear sooner and may not hold up to Michigan’s seasonal humidity changes.
A few examples we often see include:
- Builder-grade particleboard cabinets that warp after a few years of heavy use.
- Cabinets with cheap hinges that start to sag or fail, causing doors to misalign.
- Skipping soft-close drawers and doors, which leads to slamming and more wear over time.
Brands like Dura Supreme offer strong, reliable construction without forcing you into costly upgrades. Look for features like soft-close hinges and drawer glides, which prevent slamming and extend cabinet life.
If your chosen line doesn’t include these, upgrading is worth the small investment. It’s one of the simplest ways to protect your cabinetry long-term.
3. Overlooking Proper Layout and Proportion
PC: The Spruce
Your kitchen’s layout determines how functional it will be. A well-planned space makes daily life easier and reduces clutter, while a poor layout can make even the largest kitchen feel cramped.
A few examples we often see include:
- Overcrowding the prep area with tall cabinetry that reduces countertop space.
- Not including enough drawers or under-counter storage for frequently used items.
- Failing to create designated zones for holiday dish sets or specialty cookware leads to cluttered counters.
On the other hand, well-placed drawers, pull-outs, and pantry organization systems can keep everything within reach.
A professional designer can help balance form and function so you have enough storage without losing usability.
4. Forgetting About Long-Term Maintenance
PC: Dura Supreme
Thankfully, most modern cabinets are low-maintenance, but that doesn’t mean they’re no-maintenance.
A few examples we often see include:
- Choosing glossy finishes that show fingerprints and require constant cleaning.
- Using materials that stain easily or show wear on handles and edges.
- Skipping upgrades to hinges or drawer slides that prevent sagging or sticking over time.
Regular cleaning helps protect finishes, and addressing small issues like loose hinges early prevents bigger problems later.
If something breaks or wears down, reach out to your remodeling team. Fixing small issues promptly can save you from expensive replacements.
5. Neglecting Lighting and Color Coordination
PC: Dura Supreme
Lighting can completely change how your cabinet color looks. Natural light shifts throughout the day, and artificial bulbs can add warm or cool tones that alter a color’s appearance.
A few examples we often see include:
- A white cabinet that looks bright and clean in the showroom, but appears yellow under your kitchen’s warm lighting.
- Overlooking under-cabinet lighting that makes prep areas more functional.
- Choosing paint or finish colors without testing in multiple natural and artificial light settings.
Before making a final decision, bring paint or cabinet samples into your space and view them under your home’s actual lighting. Adjusting the color temperature of your bulbs may make a bigger difference than you expect.
This step can prevent a costly mistake and ensure your kitchen looks as good at night as it does in the morning.
6. Skipping Hardware and Interior Features
Cabinet hardware might seem minor, but it plays a major role in your kitchen’s final look and function.
A few examples we often see include:
- Small 3 ¾-inch pulls that feel awkward to use, especially for large drawers.
- Installing hardware that doesn’t align with factory-drilled holes leads to costly modifications.
- Overlooking interior features like pull-out trays or spice racks that maximize storage.
Larger pulls (around 5 inches center-to-center) are popular right now for both aesthetics and comfort.
Also, consider interior features like built-in organizers, pull-out trash bins, or spice drawers. These small additions can transform how your kitchen works day-to-day.
7. Underestimating Budget and Installation Costs
Cabinet installation is one of the smaller costs of a remodel, but it’s where precision matters most.
A few examples we often see include:
- Modifying pre-made boxes on-site rather than planning custom features increases labor costs.
- Assuming cheap installation will save money, only to find that field adjustments drive the cost higher.
- Not accounting for accessory installations like organizers or lazy Susans.
High-quality cabinets are an investment, but spending slightly more on a skilled installer or pre-designed accessories can save money in the long run.
Modifying boxes or accessories on-site takes extra labor, while factory-built designs (like those from Dura Supreme) ensure a perfect fit and finish.
8. Not Considering Future Resale Value
PC: Dura Supreme
While your kitchen should reflect your personality, keep long-term value in mind.
A few examples we often see include:
- Trendy neon or bold-colored cabinets that appeal to a current owner but limit resale options.
- Poorly designed layouts that reduce flow or storage efficiency for future buyers.
- Low-quality materials that wear quickly, which future buyers will notice immediately.
That said, your home should bring you joy. If bright blue cabinets make you happy, go for it. Just know that a thoughtfully designed, high-quality kitchen, regardless of style, will always deliver a stronger return than a poorly planned one.
9. Failing to Plan for Storage Efficiency
Storage needs vary from family to family. Maybe you have multiple sets of dishes or specialty cookware, or perhaps you’re trying to simplify. Either way, your cabinetry should reflect that.
A few examples we often see include:
- Tall cabinets without pull-out shelves make it hard to access items in the back.
- Ignoring corner cabinet solutions like lazy Susans or swing-out trays.
- Overcrowding drawers without considering utensil dividers or plate organizers.
Smart layout planning, such as drawer banks, pull-outs, and hidden storage, can help you make the most of your square footage without feeling cluttered.
10. Skipping Professional Design Guidance
One of the biggest mistakes? Trying to design a kitchen alone.
A few examples we often see include:
- Choosing trendy mid-century finishes without considering compatibility with flooring or countertops.
- Ignoring ergonomics and kitchen workflow leads to constant frustration during meal prep.
- Overcomplicating the space with too many cabinet types or conflicting styles disrupts the visual flow.
A professional designer understands proportion, lighting, and how to blend your style with your home’s architecture. They’ll ask the right questions to ensure your cabinetry complements your space, supports your routine, and adds long-term value.
At Custom Built, our designers take the time to understand how your family uses your kitchen so your remodel feels personal, functional, and timeless.
Next Steps to Upgrading Your Kitchen Cabinets
The cabinets you choose shape how your kitchen functions every day. Thoughtful selections impact storage, workflow, and long-term enjoyment, keeping your space organized and stress-free.
By avoiding common mistakes like overlooking storage, ignoring material quality, or skipping professional design help, you’ll end up with a kitchen that works as beautifully as it looks.
At Custom Built Design & Remodeling, we’ve helped homeowners across Greater Lansing and Northern Michigan design kitchens that combine craftsmanship, functionality, and timeless appeal.
Ready to start planning your remodel? Schedule a design consultation today and see how the right cabinets can transform your kitchen and the way you use it.
Now that you know more about common mistakes to avoid while choosing your kitchen cabinets, let’s explore why your cabinets might be stuck, a high-level overview of Dura Supreme’s elegant selections, and how much your cabinets will cost:
- Why Are My Kitchen Cabinets Stuck? - Explore why your kitchen cabinets are stuck and how to fix them.
- Dura Supreme Cabinetry Buyer’s Guide - Learn more about one of our top-rated cabinet manufacturers and their exciting options.
- How Much Do Kitchen Cabinets Cost in Lansing, MI? - Discover how much your future kitchen cabinets will cost with your ideal remodel size.
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