Kitchen Planning Guide
Everything you need to plan your kitchen renovation — from setting a budget to ordering cabinets. No experience required.
Set Your Budget
Kitchen renovations are one of the best investments you can make in your home, but costs vary wildly. The good news: cabinets are one of the areas where you can save the most without sacrificing quality — if you know where to look.
The average kitchen renovation costs between $15,000 and $50,000, with cabinets typically making up 30-40% of the total budget. Here's a rough breakdown of where the money goes:
| Category | % of Budget | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Cabinets & Hardware | 30–40% | $5,000–$18,000 |
| Countertops | 10–15% | $2,000–$6,000 |
| Flooring | 7–10% | $1,500–$4,000 |
| Appliances | 15–20% | $3,000–$8,000 |
| Labor / Installation | 20–30% | $4,000–$12,000 |
| Plumbing & Electrical | 5–10% | $1,000–$4,000 |
By choosing RTA cabinets, most homeowners save40-60%on the cabinet portion alone. A kitchen that would cost $12,000–$15,000 in cabinets at Home Depot typically costs $5,000–$7,000 from us — same all-wood construction, shipped direct.
Choose a Layout
Your kitchen layout determines how everything flows — from cooking to cleaning to entertaining. Most kitchens fall into one of these six common configurations. The best layout depends on your room shape, how many cooks use the kitchen, and whether you want an island.
Not sure which layout works best? Ourfree 3D design servicecan show you multiple layout options for your exact room dimensions. Just send us a rough sketch or photos and we'll create a rendering within 48 hours.
Measure Your Space
Accurate measurements are the foundation of every successful kitchen project. You don't need to be precise to the millimeter — our design team will refine everything — but getting close matters. Here's what to measure:
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Total wall lengths— Measure each wall from corner to corner at counter height
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Ceiling height— Measure from the floor to the ceiling in multiple spots (floors aren't always level)
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Window positions— Width, height, and distance from the corner and floor
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Door positions— Width and which direction they swing
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Plumbing locations— Where the sink drain and water lines come through the wall or floor
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Electrical— Location of outlets, switches, and any dedicated circuits for appliances
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Appliance dimensions— Fridge, range/oven, dishwasher, and microwave (width, height, depth)
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Obstructions— Soffits, pipes, vents, radiators, or anything that protrudes into the space
A hand-drawn sketch on notebook paper with dimensions written in is all we need to start your free 3D design. Photos of the current kitchen from each corner are also extremely helpful. Don't worry about being perfect — our designers will catch any issues.
Understand Cabinet Types
A complete kitchen uses a combination of cabinet types, each designed for a specific purpose. Here are the main categories you'll be choosing from:
| Cabinet Type | Location | Common Sizes |
|---|---|---|
| Base Cabinets | Below the countertop | 12"–42" wide, 34.5" tall, 24" deep |
| Wall Cabinets | Above the countertop | 9"–42" wide, 30"–42" tall, 12" deep |
| Tall/Pantry Cabinets | Floor to ceiling | 18"–36" wide, 84"–96" tall, 24" deep |
| Sink Base | Under the sink | 24"–42" wide (false drawer front) |
| Corner Cabinets | L or U corners | Blind, lazy susan, or diagonal |
| Drawer Base | Below countertop | 12"–36" wide (3 or 4 drawers) |
A typical 10x10 kitchen (the industry standard for pricing comparison) uses roughly 20-30 cabinets across these types. Specialty items like wine racks, glass door wall cabinets, and appliance garages are also available to customize your layout.
Pick Your Style & Finish
Your cabinet style sets the tone for the entire kitchen. Quik Cabinets offers three shaker-style door series, each with a slightly different profile, available across 10 finishes:
| Series | Style | Finishes Available |
|---|---|---|
| Ardelle | Traditional Shaker | White, Ash, Blue, Charcoal, Ebony, Timber (6) |
| Tallis | Beveled Shaker | Fairy Green, Swan White (2) |
| Slim | Slim Shaker | Frost, Mocha (2) |
When choosing a finish, consider your countertop material, flooring, backsplash, and natural lighting. Lighter finishes (White, Swan White, Frost) make small kitchens feel more spacious. Darker finishes (Charcoal, Ebony, Blue) create dramatic, high-end contrast — especially with light countertops.
Can't decide between finishes? Order a $25 door sample to see and feel the quality in your actual kitchen lighting. The $25 is credited toward your cabinet order ($500 min). Samples ship free in 2-3 days.
Why RTA Cabinets?
RTA (Ready-to-Assemble) cabinets are the same solid wood, premium construction used in high-end custom kitchens — shipped flat-packed for more affordable delivery. You save 40-60% because you're cutting out the showroom, the middleman, and the markup.
Here's what makes RTA cabinets a smart choice:
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Same materials— Solid wood doors, dovetail drawers, plywood boxes. Identical quality to what custom
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Easy assembly— Cam locks, screws, and clear instructions. The average cabinet takes 15-30 minutes to assemble with basic tools
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Massive savings— Factory-direct pricing eliminates showroom overhead, sales commissions, and middleman markups
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Fast shipping— Flat-pack shipping is significantly cheaper and faster than shipping assembled cabinets. Most orders ship in 3-5 days
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Easy to transport— Flat boxes fit through any door and up any staircase. No need for a loading dock or freight elevator
RTA cabinets aren't for everyone — if you have zero interest in assembly, ask your installer to add cabinet assembly to their scope. Most charge $25-50 per cabinet for assembly, and it still ends up far cheaper than buying pre-assembled.
Project Timeline
A full kitchen renovation typically takes4-8 weeksfrom ordering cabinets to cooking your first meal. Here's a realistic timeline for a project using RTA cabinets:
Common Mistakes to Avoid
We've helped hundreds of homeowners plan their kitchens. These are the mistakes we see most often — and how to avoid them:
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Not measuring twice— The number one cause of delays is incorrect measurements. Measure everything twice, and photograph anything unusual
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Forgetting fillers— You almost always need filler strips where cabinets meet walls or appliances. Budget for 3" and 6" fillers
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Skipping the sample— Colors look different on screens than in person. Always order a door sample before committing to a finish
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Not planning for outlets— Code requires outlets every 4 feet along countertops. Plan these before installing cabinets, not after
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Under-ordering— It's better to have one extra filler or molding piece than to delay the project waiting for a single item to ship
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Choosing style over function— Open shelving looks great in photos but collects grease and dust. Think about how you actually cook
Our free 3D design service catches most of these issues before you order. Our designers check measurements, plan for fillers, and flag potential problems — saving you time, money, and headaches.
Let Us Design Your Kitchen — Free
Send us your measurements and our design team will create a 3D rendering with a complete cabinet shopping list. No cost, no obligation.