| System | Price | DIY Ease | Quality | Customization | Delivery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IKEA | 🟢 | 🟡 | 🟡 | 🟡 | 🟢 |
| Home Depot | 🟡 | 🟡 | 🟡 | 🟢 | 🟡 |
| Lowe’s | 🔴 | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🔴 | 🟡 |
🏷️ What the Ratings Mean
- + (🟢) = Best among the three
- = (🟡) = Middle/average
- – (🔴) = Lowest
📦 IKEA SEKTION / ENHET
Price (🟢 +)
Lowest cost cabinets-on-a-budget. Ideal if you want to spend under $3K for a 10×10′ layout.
DIY Ease (🟡 =)
Flat-pack RTA requires assembly and hanging. Instructions are clear, hardware user-friendly.
Quality (🟡 =)
Particleboard/MDF boxes with foil fronts. Reliable for the price, 25 yr warranty on SEKTION.
Customization (🟡 =)
Modular sizes and many door styles. Limited filler/trims—odd walls may need carpentry.
Delivery (🟢 +)
In-store same-day pick-up; home delivery in ~4–13 days.
🏷️ Home Depot Hampton Bay / Designer Series
Price (🟡 =)
Mid-range: ~$3.5K for Hampton Bay, ~$4.2K for Designer (cabinets only).
DIY Ease (🟡 =)
RTA or pre-assembled. RTA needs carpentry skill; assembled units mount quickly.
Quality (🟡 =)
Framed wood boxes, solid wood drawers. Designer adds dovetail & soft-close hardware.
Customization (🟢 +)
Widest style palette, semi-custom sizing via design center.
Delivery (🟡 =)
Stock in 7–10 days; semi-custom 2–4+ weeks.
🏷️ Lowe’s Project Source / Diamond Express
Price (🔴 –)
Project Source is low-cost; Diamond Express premium (> $4K cabinets-only).
DIY Ease (🟢 +)
Fully assembled out of the box—just hang on rails and insert drawers.
Quality (🟢 +)
Diamond: all-plywood construction, soft-close, lifetime warranty. Project: basic.
Customization (🔴 –)
Project Source very limited; Diamond offers some door/finish choices but not fully custom.
Delivery (🟡 =)
Project in ~1 week; Diamond in ~5 business days.
Have questions or want advice, contact us.