Report Overview
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Stock cabinets are popular among DIY homeowners for their popularity of installation
This Freedonia study analyzes the US cabinets industry. It presents historical demand data (2011, 2016 and 2021) and forecasts (2026 and 2031) by product (kitchen, bathroom, other), market (residential, commercial, and vehicles and other markets), application (new and remodeling), and by region and subregion. Demand for all products is measured in unit terms and value terms. The study also evaluates factors that will influence cabinets demand and profiles key industry participants, such as MasterBrand Cabinets, American Woodmark, and Cabinetworks Group.
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This report includes data from 2011-2031 in 5 year intervals and tables featuring year-by-year data for 2018-2025.
Demand for cabinets in the US is forecast to rise 3.1% annually to $26.5 billion in 2026. Growth will be driven by increases in unit demand, as prices for lumber and associated wood materials (the most popular materials for cabinets) moderate significantly from inflation- and supply chain-related highs in 2021 and 2022. Gains will be supported by:
- a rebound in commercial building construction, including such cabinet-intensive structures such as primary schools and senior living facilities
- homeowners investing more in home improvement projects and opting for more high-end materials, in conjunction with interest among homeowners in using cabinets as both aesthetic and functional elements of their residences
Frameless Cabinets Growing in Popularity Due to Trends in Kitchen Cabinet Aesthetics
Frameless cabinets are gaining popularity as an alternative to face framed cabinets, and are expected to grow more than twice as fast as face framed cabinet demand. Installations of frameless kitchen cabinets will be boosted by:
- modern design trends, which have gravitated toward more open kitchens with clean lines and minimalist appearances
- the stock of homes with existing frameless cabinets increasing over time, meaning that many homeowners will continue to have these cabinets installed in their residences
- their generally lower cost, which is an important consideration for budget-conscious consumers and home builders
Custom & Semicustom Cabinets See Above Average Growth; Stock Remains Most Popular
While demand for custom and semicustom cabinets is forecast to see above average growth, stock cabinets will continue to account for the largest share of demand due to:
- the ready availability of stock cabinets in comparison to semicustom or custom cabinets, which take longer to manufacture, assemble, and install
- manufacturer efforts to make stock cabinets more aesthetically pleasing by offering a wider array of cabinet types in varying color choices and finish options
- demand from do-it-yourself (DIY) homeowners, who prefer stock cabinets due to their ease of installation and lower price point relative to semicustom or custom cabinets
Historical Trends
US demand for cabinets totaled $22.8 billion in 2021. The cabinet market is subject to varying levels of volatility. Demand is almost entirely dependent on trends in building construction and remodeling activity, with the most significant being:
- new housing construction
- single-family residential remodels, which often include the replacement of cabinets or the addition of a bathroom; shifts in consumer taste – such as a change in preference toward cabinets with a more natural wood aesthetic – can bolster demand here
- commercial building construction
Other factors that influence annual cabinet demand include the production of recreational vehicles and boats, civilian aircraft, and other transport vehicles.
Year-to-year volatility primarily tracks building construction activity. However, major fluctuations in material markets used in the construction of cabinets (namely lumber) can result in value demand growth – rather than an increase in unit demand – due to inflationary pressures. This explains why in 2020 and 2021, cabinet demand in value terms grew (especially in 2021), while unit demand fell.
Cabinet Demand by Area of Installation
Kitchen cabinets will continue to account for the vast majority of US cabinet demand in both unit and value terms, due to:
- the larger number of cabinets installed per kitchen compared to that of bathrooms and other rooms
- the generally larger size and additional included features of kitchen cabinets that allow these cabinets to be sold at higher price points
- high levels of consumer interest in installing more aesthetically pleasing (and thus expensive) cabinets
- the fact that most homeowners – as part of a kitchen renovation – tend to not only replace all of the cabinets in a kitchen, but often install more cabinets during remodeling to increase storage space
Bathroom cabinets will see solid growth, supported by:
- design trends that call for homes to have more bathrooms, many of which will incorporate at least one cabinet for storage
- rising interest in larger bathrooms – such as master bathrooms with his-and-her sinks –that feature more and larger cabinets
Manufacturer's Level Cabinet Pricing Trends
Cabinet products are subject to inflationary pressures and commodity price fluctuations. Wood-based materials account for the largest share of materials consumed in cabinetry, therefore, fluctuations in the price and availability of lumber will have the greatest effect on the price of cabinets. Several factors can affect the price of lumber, key among them:
- the availability of cut timber that can be converted into lumber
- the output and production capacity of sawmills
- trade policies and the enactment of tariffs
- levels of building construction activity (particularly that of single-family housing)
Cabinet product pricing saw robust growth between 2016 and 2021, mainly due to the tremendous growth in lumber prices as demand increased, in conjunction with supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Going forward, overall cabinet prices are anticipated to rise 1.8% annually through 2026. Most price growth in 2021 and 2022 stemmed from inflation and supply chain disruptions. Although prices will moderate significantly in 2023 from pandemic-induced highs, they will remain well above pre-pandemic levels, as prices generally retreat more slowly than they rise. Additional price growth during the latter part of the forecast period will be supported by continuing consumer interest in larger cabinets with more features.
Demand by Construction Method
Demand for cabinets in the US is expected to climb 3.1% annually through 2026 to $26.5 billion.
- Stock cabinets will continue to account for the largest share of demand with 67% of the total in 2026, supported by their low cost and ease of installation.
- Semicustom and custom cabinets will see more rapid demand gains as consumers – particularly owners of single-family residences – opt for these cabinets to improve the functionality and enhance the appearance of their kitchens, bathrooms, and other rooms.