6 things to consider when buying kitchen units on a budget 

Complete kitchen units are necessary for every house, as they provide storage and overall organisation. Of course, their role is also of aesthetic appeal, considering the units are a major part of the kitchen and can be seen as the centrepiece. 

However, choosing the right unit that balances durability, aesthetics, and budget can be difficult. Many people are unsatisfied with their unfinished or incomplete kitchen cabinets because they are much more difficult to integrate in a balanced way. This is especially important for those who love a bit of minimalism in the kitchen, accompanied by a harmonious interior design. 

So, here are some tips on choosing the best kitchen units to meet your needs. 

Analyse kitchen cabinets 

Your kitchen cupboards should stand the test of time and be resistant to stains and scratches. That’s why you should analyse them carefully when shopping, ideally in stores, to seize certain details. For example, the quality of the carcass will determine its durability. Make sure the backing isn’t thin and flimsy, as it can be affected by temperature and humidity fluctuations specific to the kitchen area. 

A back cupboard’s thickness should be at least 8 mm, but many companies make boards of 3 mm, which is not suitable for the long term. For extra sturdiness, aim for an 18 mm thickness for side panels. 

Choose high-density materials 

Solid wood might be too much for your budget, even if it’s a lifetime investment. Luckily, you can find fewer kitchen units made of less expensive materials that can still last long, even if you’ll need to pay more attention to caring for them. 

For example, carcasses made of melamine-faced chipboard (MFC) are considered low-quality, but if they’ve got a higher board density, they can be pretty efficient in the long term. When it comes to MFC doors, make sure they’ve got PVC or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) edging to resist moisture. Or, you could opt for MDF (medium-density fibreboard), which has a much higher board density. 

Look for Functionality 

While the kitchen units might be on the budget, that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be functional or accessible. Consider this aspect based on how much you cook, for how many people, and the usual appliances you use on a daily basis. 

Choose wider cabinets for tableware, but personalise them according to the kitchen space. For a space 48 inches wide, two 24-inch cabinet boxes should do the trick. Moreover, you’re not left with small unused space where dust will accumulate but instead leverage it for storage.

Do Ongoing Maintenance 

Considering that cabinets on a budget might not be made of the same high-quality materials as plywood or solid wood, you may need to pay special attention to them to lengthen their life. This means not allowing humidity to increase too much in the kitchen, so use a dehumidifier, install an exhaust fan, or cook with open windows. 

To prevent the finishes from fading off in time, you can coat the cabinets with special oils and products once a year. This will maintain the cabinet’s aesthetics and protect it better from scratches or stains. In addition to this, make sure to avoid chemical cleaning products on the kitchen cabinets and rather use natural-based products that won’t mess up with the coatings. 

Consider painting the cabinets 

Besides ongoing maintenance, you can easily paint the cabinets and give them a fresh new start for a long-term look. You can get high-quality paint that will protect the wood and offer it an aesthetically pleasing makeover with several simple steps: 

• Removing all drawers, doors, and hardware to have enough room to work; 
• Cleaning the cabinets with a gentle grease remover and a damp sponge, followed by sanding them down; 
• Applying the primer to secure the foundation and wait one hour before sanding again; 
• Painting the cabinets with the actual paint and let it dry after the final sanding;
• Giving the second and final coat and letting everything dry; 

Usually, it’s best to paint the cabinets after three or four years after the initial painting. If you’re using high-quality products, the paint can last up to ten years, but this also depends on the environment the cabinets are exposed to. 

What’s the Best Colour Palette for the Kitchen? 

You may spend more or less time in the kitchen, whether for cooking or simply gathering with people. However, painting it in the right tones and choosing adequate decorations will have a 

massive impact on setting the mood and making it as welcoming as possible. 

According to trends, the best kitchen colours in 2025 include the following: 

• Sunshine yellow is perfect to brighten up the room, especially due to its light-reflecting properties.
• Rich burgundy acts like a bold statement and can be combined with warm tones and metallic finishes.
• Sky blue or turquoise to reduce stress and add an uplifting vibe to the kitchen.
• Warm brown, such as caramel or taupe, will make the kitchen the most relaxing room in the house.
• Earthy greens offer a natural feel to the kitchen and expand on a varied array of olive tones or emeralds.

What about colour combinations?

If you’re not into painting the kitchen in a monochromatic tone and would like to play with hues and shades, you could try several combinations that are simply too good to be ignored:

• Sage green and onyx black; 
• Rich black and natural wood; 
• Forest green and soft white;
• Light green and dark wood; 
• Beige and olive green; 

You could approach a multi-coloured kitchen, but make sure you don’t overdo it, as the room can become visually cluttered. 

Final considerations

If you’re on a budget but want to buy new kitchen units, know there are plenty of options on the market to suit your needs. Make sure to research materials and choose ones that are still qualitative but affordable, such as MDF. Prioritise functionality in your kitchen cupboards and cabinets, and try to sustain ongoing maintenance to lengthen their lifecycle.