Replacing all of a kitchen's cabinets can be a pricey proposition if you start looking at high-end design, wood and finish options. You don't have to spend a small fortune to get new kitchen cabinets, though. Here are some tips on how to find functional and affordable kitchen cabinets if you're on a budget.

Stick With the Slab Front

Many designs can be cut into the front of kitchen cabinets, but any design is going to increase the labor required to make a cabinet -- and that's going to raise the end price of the cabinet. Even a basic design will increase the price of a cabinet slightly, and intricate designs can greatly raise how much a cabinet will be.

Moreover, any design-related price increase must be multiplied across all of the cabinets that your kitchen needs. Even a seemingly minor increase can quickly add up if you multiply it across a bunch of cabinets. 

The simplest cabinet design is a slab front because the face is just a plain piece of wood. If you want cabinets that are as affordable as possible, stick with this basic option and avoid any etched or raised design additions.

Choose Oak for the Wood

Oak is a good wood for cabinets because it's a hardwood and one of the cheaper wood options. Cherry is much more expensive, and maple can add a significant amount to the cost of a cabinet project. Additionally, these aren't costs that a cabinetmaker can give you a break on because the price of the wood is set at the commodity level.

If you want something that doesn't look like standard oak cabinets but have a tight budget, you can still get oak cabinets and paint or stain them with a distinctive finish. This will add a unique and striking look without forcing you to pay more for a different wood.

Forgo the Coating Finish

Your cabinets will likely come stained or painted because the wood wouldn't stand up to use if it went untreated with a finish. You also may have the option to add a coating as a final finish layer that protects the stain or paint on the cabinets.

To keep your up-front costs as low as possible, forgo any coating finish that's available. Your cabinets will still look great when they're new, and you can refinish them with a new stain or paint them yourself when the initial coating becomes worn.

To learn more, contact a kitchen cabinet supplier.