What’s the Difference Between Custom and Semi-Custom Cabinets?

When planning a kitchen remodel, one of the most important decisions you'll make is what type of cabinets to install. Most homeowners are familiar with stock cabinetry—pre-made units with fixed dimensions and limited choices. But when you want more flexibility with sizing, finishes, and overall design, you’ll likely be deciding between custom and semi-custom cabinets.

While these two options sound similar, there are important differences between them that impact design freedom, price, lead times, and overall value. If you’re trying to choose between custom and semi-custom cabinets for your home renovation, understanding how they compare will help you make the best decision for your needs and budget.

What Are Custom Cabinets?

Custom cabinets are built entirely to order. They’re made from scratch based on your exact specifications—down to the inch—by a cabinet maker or manufacturing partner. Every aspect is personalized, including dimensions, materials, finishes, wood species, storage features, and decorative elements. If you can dream it, it can likely be built.

Key Features of Custom Cabinets:

• Built to any size or shape

• Wide range of wood types and finishes

• Fully customizable interior features (pull-outs, spice racks, drawer organizers, etc.)

• Flexibility in face styles, doors, moldings, and hardware

• Designed to fit unique floor plans or architectural features

Custom cabinetry is ideal for homeowners who want a specific look, need to maximize every inch of space, or are working with an unconventional layout. Custom cabinets also allow for seamless integration with built-in appliances, open shelving, or architectural elements like beams or angled ceilings.

What Are Semi-Custom Cabinets?

Semi-custom cabinets are pre-manufactured cabinets that offer some level of customization. They’re built from a catalog of standard cabinet sizes and configurations, but you can usually adjust certain dimensions, choose from a broader range of styles and finishes, and add upgrades like soft-close drawers or specialty storage features.

Semi-custom cabinets offer more flexibility than stock cabinets but are not as open-ended as full custom cabinetry. They strike a balance between personalization and affordability, making them one of the most popular cabinet options in mid-range kitchen and bathroom remodels.

Key Features of Semi-Custom Cabinets:

• Standard cabinet boxes with adjustable widths/depths (usually in 1" or 3" increments)

• Dozens or hundreds of door styles and finish options

• Upgrade options for hardware, interiors, and organizational inserts

• Faster lead times than custom cabinets

• Lower cost than fully custom cabinetry

Semi-custom cabinets are often built-to-order, but the design possibilities are limited by the manufacturer’s catalog. If your layout is fairly standard and you don’t need exact custom sizing, semi-custom cabinetry might give you the look you want without the full custom price tag.

Custom vs. Semi-Custom Cabinets: Key Differences

1. Design Flexibility

• Custom cabinets: Offer total freedom in size, style, layout, and function. Every cabinet is made specifically for your space.

• Semi-custom cabinets: Allow moderate adjustments within a pre-set catalog. Great for standard kitchens with minor customization needs.

If you have a challenging layout, non-standard ceiling height, or want cabinets that go to the exact edge of a wall or appliance, custom will likely be your best fit.

2. Cabinet Dimensions

• Custom: Can be built to any height, width, or depth with no constraints.

• Semi-custom: Usually limited to modifications in set increments (1" or 3").

Semi-custom may leave small gaps or require filler pieces to fit your space precisely, whereas custom can eliminate these with perfectly tailored sizing.

3. Material and Finish Options

• Custom: Choose from a nearly endless range of materials, finishes, paints, stains, and glazes. Color-matching or specialty finishes are available.

• Semi-custom: Offers a broad but limited range of materials and finishes curated by the manufacturer.

If you’re trying to match existing cabinetry, millwork, or a very specific paint color, custom is often the only way to go.

4. Interior Storage Features

• Custom: Total control over cabinet interiors, drawer arrangements, appliance garages, pull-outs, dividers, corner solutions, and more.

• Semi-custom: Offers many popular upgrades, but may not support unique or highly specialized configurations.

Think of semi-custom as a menu of well-loved features, while custom allows you to create exactly what you need from scratch.

5. Lead Time

• Custom: Generally takes longer—anywhere from 6 to 12+ weeks depending on complexity and production backlog.

• Semi-custom: Faster lead time—often 4 to 8 weeks, since cabinets are built from an existing template with fewer changes.

If your project has a tighter timeline, semi-custom cabinets may help keep things on track without sacrificing much on quality or appearance.

6. Cost

• Custom cabinets: The most expensive option due to labor, design time, and materials.

• Semi-custom cabinets: Mid-range pricing; more affordable than custom, but more costly than stock cabinets.

While custom cabinetry delivers unmatched quality and uniqueness, semi-custom provides a high-end look and feel at a more accessible price point.

7. Construction Quality

Both custom and semi-custom cabinets can be built with durable materials, solid wood boxes, and quality joinery. However, the level of craftsmanship in custom cabinetry is often higher, especially if it’s built by a reputable cabinet maker or small workshop. Semi-custom cabinets, while well-made, may use more cost-effective construction methods to reduce price and manufacturing time.

8. Fit and Finish

Custom cabinets fit like a glove—every detail is tailored to your home. This results in a more polished, cohesive appearance with fewer gaps or filler strips. Semi-custom cabinets still offer a great finish, but may require some compromises to make everything fit just right.

Which Option Is Right for You?

Choosing between custom and semi-custom cabinets depends on your project goals, budget, and how much flexibility you want in your design.

Choose custom cabinets if:

• You want a one-of-a-kind kitchen or bath design

• Your space has unusual dimensions or architectural details

• You’re looking for the highest quality and craftsmanship

• You want every feature tailored to your lifestyle and preferences

Choose semi-custom cabinets if:

• Your layout is fairly standard

• You want some level of customization without paying for full custom

• You’re working within a mid-range budget

• You want high-quality cabinets without extended wait times

How Armada Design Center Can Help

At Armada Design Center, we specialize in helping homeowners find cabinetry solutions that fit their space, style, and budget—whether that means fully custom cabinets built from scratch or high-quality semi-custom cabinets from trusted manufacturers. We’ll walk you through door styles, materials, finishes, interior features, and layout options so you can design a kitchen that’s both beautiful and functional.

Our showroom features a range of cabinet lines with both custom and semi-custom capabilities, and our experienced designers are here to guide you every step of the way. We’re happy to talk through your options, show you real-life examples, and help you make a confident, informed decision.