Recommended Kitchen Designers and Cabinet Dealers Outside Our Service Area

122 Replies to “Recommended Kitchen Designers and Cabinet Dealers Outside Our Service Area”

1. 

   Elaine Hershey

   Have you heard of Choice Cabinets? They are located in Cleveland Ohio. Trying to decide if it’s comparable to KraftMaid. It is a painted cabinet. Choice seems to be a quality cabinet, but after waiting 25 years to finally get the kitchen done – I don’t want to make a mistake!

1. 

   pmcalary[ Post Author ]

   Hi Elaine,
   Choice is an inexpensive RTA cabinet brand that can be bought assembled too. It is several price levels less expensive than Kraftmaid. It looks like it’s constructed well, but they don’t give specifications so I can’t tell exactly how we would rate them. Kraftmaid offers many wood types, stains, paints, glazes and other finishes that a low-cost brand like Choice will not. For a painted shaker door choice, it may not be that different from Kraftmaid.

   However, their website is vague, and I’ve never heard of them so they could have other issues.

   We rate 130 brands. Why not pick from one of those? See reviews of brands below:

   Cabinet Reviews 2023: Ratings for the top 100 cabinet brands. ⋆ (mainlinekitchendesign.com)

2. 

   LJ

   Do you know anything about Vision Cabinets or Kitchen Cabinet Distributors? What about an inserted MDF panel in the painted wood door? How should that be finished?

1. 

   pmcalary[ Post Author ]

   Hi LJ,
   recessed center panels on painted wood doors are actually better made of MDF than wood. However Just on recessed center panels. The frame of the door must be solid wood. Unless you are flipping a home and so don’t care about durability. In that case save money and get an MDF door.

   Kitchen Cabinet Distributers and Vision are both online ordering companies. We DO NOT recommend ordering cabinetry online for many reasons. The biggest being that there are almost always physical locations that will have knowledgeable people to help you and to measure your home that will be the same price or a little bit more for the same, or better, quality cabinets. If you live in rural Alaska they might be your best option. But that’s seldom the case. See the reasoning from another post below:

   The reason we don’t review online cabinet companies and Costco is to protect homeowners from themselves. Were we to review these type brands favorably then consumers that don’t understand or value kitchen design would avoid the design help that they desperately need. My mantra, the podcast and the video below all try to make this understandable.

   My MANTRA is:
   People worry about cabinet quality and price far more than they worry about their designs. This is because they aren’t kitchen designers themselves and don’t understand how poor their designs usually are. If you listen to one of our podcasts this is usually a central issue. The Podcast below illustrates this point:

   https://www.mainlinekitchendesign.com/general/calls-with-paul-the-kitchen-design-podcast-episode-20

   Watch our funny video:
   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxJgxCeeNTo

3. 

   Alicia Donovan

   Have you heard of Covered Bridge Cabinetry? I didn’t see it in your list but am very curious if you’ve seen these and how you’d rate them. We are looking at flush inset from them.

1. 

   pmcalary[ Post Author ]

   Hi Alicia,
   Covered Bridge looks well-made. If you are getting an inset door style, make sure you get their Ultimate cabinet construction because the wall cabinets need to be 13″ deep to fit dinner plates inside an inset wall cabinet. The Ultimate construction is the only construction that comes that way.

   One thing that is concerning is that they only show one beaded inset door style on the website under door styles. And they don’t show ANY inset kitchens on their Gallery page of their website. This suggests to me that this is not something they are that comfortable doing. Much like the Bishop line is for our company. Yes, Bishop does do inset but we recommend customers getting inset spend just a little more and get the Brighton line we carry that specializes in inset.

   Inset is hard to do and it’s usually worth spending a little more to get inset from a cabinet brand that does the style regularly. Your kitchen designer should also be experienced selling inset as it is more difficult to design in.

   WARNING I would advise against getting Flush inset ovens when you are getting an inset or beaded inset door style. It is dangerous in my opinion. Read the blog below:
   https://www.mainlinekitchendesign.com/general/flush-mounted-ovens-the-new-danger-appliance-makers-and-dealers-overlook/

1. 

   Alicia Donovan

   Thank you so much! It was great chatting with you on the phone on Saturday. 🙂

4. 

   Joan Wallack

   Hello,
   Your blog and website information are very helpful. Can you recommend a kitchen designer/ dealer in Rhode Island or nearby area? The kitchen is a small 1950’s mid-century galley with a heated sunroom addition on the other side of the original exterior wall. This addition blocks most natural light. A structural engineering evaluation has been completed; hopefully the wall will be removed ( a beam is needed) and some of the kitchen ( mechanics?) moved into the sunroom area.
   Thank you for your suggestions.
   Sincerely,
   Joan

1. 

   pmcalary[ Post Author ]

   Hi Joan,
   If you call in on a Friday 2-4 pm EST to our help line and Podcast, we can try to locate a designer in your area.

5. 

   Deborah Abernathy-Smith

   Looking reasonable designer’s and cabinets in metro Atlanta area.

1. 

   pmcalary[ Post Author ]

   Hi Deborah,
   Since we don’t list an Atlanta dealer on this blog, we must have had trouble finding one in the past. This is something I can research for you on our Friday helpline and podcast. Call in 2-4pm EST to 610-500-4071 on a Friday and we can go through Atlanta designers on Houzz.com to find ones with good portfolios. Then we can and look up their reviews and the brands they carry, to hopefully find one that looks promissing.

1. 

   Amy

   Hi I’m in Atlanta and need this same information – did you ever find any reccomendations?

1. 

   pmcalary[ Post Author ]

   Same advice Amy,
   Since we don’t list an Atlanta dealer on this blog, we must have had trouble finding one in the past. This is something I can research for you on our Friday helpline and podcast. Call in 2-4pm EST to 610-500-4071 on a Friday and we can go through Atlanta designers on Houzz.com to find ones with good portfolios. Then we can and look up their reviews and the brands they carry, to hopefully find one that looks promising.

6. 

   Nina

   Hi. You have Builders General Supply in Little Silver NJ as one of the recommended cabinet dealers. This same company also has a location in Freehold which is closer to me. Do you recommend the company in general or only the Little Silver location in particular? Thanks

1. 

   pmcalary[ Post Author ]

   Hi Nina,
   We recomend the company in general but not a specific designer. Call first and ask to work with one of their more experienced designers.

7. 

   Deb Smith

   Hello,

   I live in Acworth, GA. We are looking all wood cabinets rating 2-3. Shaker or Shaker look. Semi-custom or box. We looked into Procraft and US. Cabinets. Please advise. Thank you.

1. 

   pmcalary[ Post Author ]

   Hi Deb,
   I assume you mean Procraft and US Cabinet Depot. Both brands are well constructed and inexpensive. Price level 1 for both. If the designer is good either of these brands would be a good choice on a budget. We used to sell Procraft but didn’t have a reliable distribution center so we stopped carrying them. We have also considered US Cabinet Depot but are waiting until they get their a little better organized for our location. Very good value for both lines.

8. 

   romandenver

   Any recommendations for cabinetry dealers in Colorado? Have noted previous comments but am looking for an update.

1. 

   pmcalary[ Post Author ]

   Hi Roman,
   We’ve had trouble finding companies in the past. If you call on a Friday between 2-4 pm and select my extension I can look for you.
   Paul

9. 

   Juan Jimenez

   Hi Paul,
   We recently went to Kabco Kitchens in South Florida and were told that the contemporary flat-front cabinet door we are looking for should be MDF, because a solid wood door could warp if not framed. We are very skeptical of MDF. They recommended a painted door made by Miralis. Do you have any experience with this brand?

1. 

   pmcalary[ Post Author ]

   I would recommend a veneered painted door with an MDF core. An all MDF door would damage too easily, but a solid door painted would make little sense.

10. 

    Lucie

    I am new to your blog and am finding it very informative. You stress the importance of a good kitchen designer and indicated in an earlier post that you are not a fan of “design and build companies.” Are you referring to kitchen design companies that also act as general contractors? Thanks.

1. 

   pmcalary[ Post Author ]

   Hi Lucie,
   This is just generally as there are of course exceptions to every rule:

   Design and build firms tend to do one or the other well but not both. Usually it is the build part that they excel at. For kitchens I’d rather use a designer and cabinet dealer and send the designs to contractors to bid on. Then each specialty is separated. If an architect or engineer is needed then I’d use the professional the general contractor recommends. I think separating each discipline makes it more likely the overall job is professional.

   I firmly believe that thinking you can do everything well means that you can’t be great at anything.

   Our company creates great designs and sell quality cabinetry for a very competitive price, Our customers bid out installations with both contractors we recommend and ones that they find on their own. The result is that they usually hire experienced and knowledgeable contractors at a reasonable price. When they do need architects and engineers they get ones that are comfortable working with the general contractor running the job. Since they are being referred they don’t overcharge or make more work for themselves than is needed.

11. 

    california-kitchen

    Hello, I would love to get your advice on my kitchen designs. My KD is competent, but has limited experience. I feel I should get a second opinion. Are you still offering assistance to customers outside of your service area on Fridays from 2-4 EST?

    We are in CA; if we were in your area we would absolutely go with you. Your knowledge, expertise and care is obvious and appreciated.

    Thanks!

1. 

   pmcalary[ Post Author ]

   Hello California,
   Yes we offer assistance and answer questions free of charge Fridays EST between 2 and 4 pm. Leave a message if we don’t pick up we will call you back as soon as a designer gets free.

12. 

    Bela Bansal

    We are talking to a design/build kitchen company that utilizes Wolf and Kitchen craft. Another brand on offer is J & K Cabinetry. Which brand would you recommend?

1. 

   pmcalary[ Post Author ]

   Both Wolf and J&K offer inexpensive well constructed cabinets. However I am not a fan of almost all design and build companies. Generally they are only competent building and not designing and they do not offer great pricing for cabinetry nor do they understand the issues involved in ordering cabinetry.
   I would hire them to install and buy my cabinets from a true cabinet dealership with full time experienced kitchen designers.

13. 

    Paul McAlary

    Hi Issac,
    Adding a flower box to fill in under the window on the outside of the house is an easy way to raise a window. Other questions we answer Fridays 2-4 pm. Call and one of us can see if we can find a place closer to you.

14. 

    Isaac

    Hello,
    I’m remodeling a kitchen in Bergen County, NJ and am looking for a cabinet dealer and kitchen designer to work with. I’m looking for a place within a 30 minute drive and your recommendations are all further away. Just from doing some research online I’ve found Alba Kitchen and Bath, Golden Source Kitchen and Bath, and Wholesale Kitchen Center. Do you have any insight into any of these places?

    Also, one of the windows on my kitchen wall currently extends below counter height. I’m toying with the idea of making the window smaller so that counter can be extended underneath it. The exterior of the house is brick. Do you know if this is something that is too complex/pricey to consider?

    Thank you!

15. 

    Chantal

    Your website is so helpful.Do you recommend anyone in Orange County, California?

1. 

   ITSAdmin

   Hi Chantal,
   No but if you called on a Friday one of us could take a look.

16. 

    KevinStever

    Thank you so very much for the thorough and truly helpful response.

17. 

    LTimko

    Hi there,

    Working with a company that works with Ultracraft cabinets. They’re not highly reviewed here. Is there a reason they came in low?

1. 

   pmcalary[ Post Author ]

   Frameless cabinet construction with particle board and thin sides.

18. 

    Becky

    Are there any good designers in Spokane, Washington? The ones you have listed are too far away for us

1. 

   pmcalary[ Post Author ]

   We help people outside our service area free of charge on Fridays between 2-4 EST. This friday is crazy due to tariff price increases so only one of us will be manning the phones and it may be hard to get through.

19. 

    Judith Shill

    Thank you so much for your invaluable information. I am getting so educated by reading all your comments . We had planned to get a Woodmode kitchen at the cost of 70K for the cabinetry only! Woodmode no longer exists and I loved their quality but agree with you that the value is an A- . This has given me time to re think our project and want to find a company equal to Woodmode quality. I liked the kitchen designer that I worked with but found them very expensive at 160K for the entire project. In the Dallas , Fort Worth area you recommended The Kitchen Design Concepts and I consulted with them and there is no way we were going to spend that kind of money with that company. They were actually pathetic and their showroom and designer was not up to standard. Could you please recommend another company for me to work with and in your opinion what is the best cabinetry on the market? I know you said a designer was more important than the cabinetry but I at this stage don’t have either. Where should I start?

1. 

   pmcalary[ Post Author ]

   Hi Judith,
   The cabinet companies we recommend on our site we do sight unseen based on their designs we see, their online reputation and the lines they carry. Individual designers can be good or bad at a particular showroom and what the showroom looks like has very little to do with how good a designer or a cabinet line might be. If you call 2-4 pm EST on a Friday one of us can see if we can find another place to recommend in your area. This Friday is fine next Friday will be too hectic as there are price increases in a couple of the lines we carry that are are making that particular day crazy for us trying to process orders before the increase takes effect.

20. 

    JKFred

    First, I found your website via a google search and have spent hours learning from the comments section. It is now my only “go to” site for kitchen advice/expertise. We have gutted a 1920’s ranch style farmhouse on my family’s farm in Northern Colorado and I have a kitchen/dining shell that is 23 x 14 feet. Based on your advice, I need to start with a great kitchen designer. I didn’t see any Colorado (specifically Northern Colorado, Fort Collins/Greeley area) designers in the Mountain Area region. Am I missing that list? Do you have any recommendations?

1. 

   pmcalary[ Post Author ]

   Hi JKFred,
   We tried to find dealers that met our criteria for good design, a stellar reputation on line, and quality cabinets across price points in every state and most metropolitan areas. However it just wasn’t possible in many cases. In fact we just had an embarrassing turn of events when the location we recommended in Denver went out of business.
   Just because we can’t find a place to recommend in your area does not mean that there aren’t great designers and dealers there. It just means that from afar there just wasn’t enough information about any company to meet our criteria.

   If you have a great experience with a particular company let us know and we can check them out and if we are comfortable recommending them it can be a boost to their business. It would be a favor to them just like a 5 star review on Google, Yelp, or Houzz. If you find our blog helpful and would like to leave us a good review that helps us equally well!

21. 

    Venkat

    Hello,

    Is there one in or around the San Jose, CA area that you recommend. San Francisco, CA is a long distance for many of us.

    Thank you!

    Venkat

22. 

    Susie

    Hello, this is wonderful! I’m moving to a townhouse in Santa Fe NM. The kitchen is very small.- one wall and an island. There is no ability to reconfigure the space so I’m pretty much stuck with it. Can you recommend anyone to help with this? Also, I’m looking for good quality mid-range cabinetry without a huge price tag. I currently have Woodcase cabinets, a local company in the Phoenix area, and love them. Unfortunately, they only sell locally. I’d appreciate any help you can give me!

1. 

   pmcalary[ Post Author ]

   Hi Susie,
   Unfortunately none of the kitchen design and cabinet dealers in Santa Fe meet our criteria to recommend. And of course there are always ways to modify and improve every design – you just don’t realize what is possible because you are not a kitchen designer. As Doug Mottershead CKD says in our funny video about this point, “people just don’t know what they don’t know” Video link below;
   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxJgxCeeNTo&t

23. 

    LARRY MCALLISTER

    I really learned a lot from your blog. I building a new home in eastern NC and the two cabinet shops I’m working with offer the following in my price range: Shrock Kitchen and KCD baths or Green Forest throughout. All seem to have 1/2 in plywood construction. KCD showed staples and plastic braces. Any thoughts on these?

1. 

   pmcalary[ Post Author ]

   Hi Larry,
   Green Forest upgraded is the better construction. Schrock has the nicer finishes. There are better choices out there if you have Schrock amounts of money to spend.

24. 

    pmcalary[ Post Author ]

    Yes we rate Mid Continent pretty poorly in our most recent cabinet rankings. Link below:

    https://www.mainlinekitchendesign.com/general/kitchen-cabinet-ratings-for-2018-updated-reviews-for-the-top-selling-cabinet-brands/

25. 

    Karen Legreid

    Thank you so so much!!! I deeply appreciate your help! Any strong feelings about Mid-Continent? Thx again! You’re providing a wonderful service!!!

26. 

    paul mcalary

    Hi Karen,
    Some truth in what hes says but not all truths.
    .
    MDF is Medium Density Fiberboard. It is denser than particle board and has some properties that are good but some that are terrible. On base cabinets that sit on the floor it is fine for the sides of cabinets as long as the sides that are exposed are plywood. On wall cabinets that carry weight that hangs on the wall sides of cabinets are much better all plywood. And the backs of cabinets or hanging rails should NEVER be MDF. Because of this it is simpler to just make the cabinet all plywood if you want to make a good cabinet. The companies that sell MDF cabinets where you pay extra to get plywood often over charge for the option.
    .
    Yes all painted cabinets scratch more easily than stained cabinets and are ruined by water more quickly. This is true for expensive and inexpensive cabinet lines. It is why some cabinet companies get bad reviews on line from consumers. Because the home owners blame the cabinet company when the paint they chose doesn’t hold up to abuse. You must be careful with painted cabinets. They can be touched up easily by refinishers though for a few hundred dollars.

27. 

    Karen Legreid

    One more thing😊- the guy said that w the paint (cream/beiges) you have to constantly wipe dry by the sink or the paint will start to chip/come off. Is that true? It seems hard to believe if whites/beiges are so extremely popular. Again thanks so much.

28. 

    Karen Legreid

    So the two popular brands in our area are Haas Cabinets and Mid-Continent.
    The guy who is pushing for MC mentioned MTD or something like that. He said it’s so much different than the particleboard of old. He also mentioned about using plywood only for the outside services which sounds suspect to me. I have read what you have said about particleboard. Can you give me your opinion on those two brands? Thank you so much.