Choosing the right cabinets is one of the most important decisions you'll make when designing a kitchen, whether it's for your home, your restaurant, or your business.
But before you get into door styles, wood species, or finish options, there's a foundational choice that sets the tone for everything else:
Are you going with stock, semi-custom, or custom cabinets?
Each of these categories offers a different level of flexibility, quality, and fit.
And while they all serve the same basic purpose (storage, structure, and style), the differences in sizing, construction, and customization are massive.
At Knotty Nuff Wood, we specialize in handcrafted cabinetry and custom commercial millwork. That means everything we build is made to fit your space, not the other way around. Whether you're outfitting a residential kitchen or a high-functioning commercial space, our focus is always on quality that performs.
This guide will walk you through the essentials of each cabinet type, explain the size standards and limitations, and help you understand why custom often delivers the best value in the long run.
1. Stock Cabinets: Pre-Built, Pre-Sized, and Ready to Ship
Stock cabinets are mass-produced, off-the-shelf units sold at big-box stores or through high-volume suppliers.
They come in fixed sizes, finishes, and styles, and what you see is what you get.
Dimensions and Limitations
Width options: Typically range from 9 to 48 inches, in 3" increments
Height (base): 34.5 inches without countertop (standardized across brands)
Depth (base): 24 inches
Wall cabinet height: Common sizes include 30", 36", and 42"
No modifications available to sizing, interior layout, or materials
Because these cabinets are mass-produced, the construction is often particleboard or MDF with a thin laminate or melamine coating, not real wood. They’re designed to be affordable and accessible, not long-lasting.
When Stock Makes Sense
You need a quick solution (think rental property or budget renovation)
You have a very standard kitchen layout
Cost is your primary concern over aesthetics or durability
Where Stock Falls Short
If your space is even slightly irregular, or if you want to integrate premium appliances, unique storage solutions, or specific wood finishes, stock cabinets will limit your design.
You’ll often need fillers, spacers, and compromises to make them fit.
And in commercial or high-use environments? Stock cabinets rarely hold up. Their materials aren’t made for steam, heat, spills, or constant opening and closing.
2. Semi-Custom Cabinets: Some Flexibility, Still a Framework
Semi-custom cabinets are often marketed as the “best of both worlds.” They start with a stock foundation but offer a limited set of upgrades, like modified widths, extra drawers, or alternate finishes.
Think of them as stock cabinets with a menu of tweaks.
They’re built to order, so they do take more time than stock, but they don’t offer total freedom.
Dimensions and Flexibility
Width: Usually adjustable in small increments (e.g., 1-inch steps), but only within predefined limits
Height/Depth: May offer a few alternate sizes beyond stock standards
Construction: Often a mix of MDF and plywood, with some hardwood fronts
Finish Options: More than stock, sometimes with custom colors or glazes, but not unlimited
Layout: Basic modifications available (e.g. pull-outs, lazy susans, spice racks)
Semi-custom is often sold as a way to “personalize” your kitchen without the price tag of full custom. And that’s partially true, but there are trade-offs.
When Semi-Custom Works
You like a specific brand or style, but need minor size adjustments
You’re remodeling a residential kitchen and need a mix of cost and flexibility
You want better quality than stock, but aren’t particular about fully tailoring every inch
Where It Can Disappoint
Because you're still working within someone else's template, you're limited in key areas:
Cabinet shapes can’t be entirely reimagined
Finishes may be limited to brand-specific catalogs
Storage features and internal accessories often cost extra or don’t fully fit
And in commercial settings, like restaurants, cafés, or client-facing office kitchens, semi-custom often ends up looking forced or generic, especially when cabinetry needs to adapt around specialized equipment.
3. Custom Cabinets: Built to Fit, Built to Last
Custom cabinets are exactly what they sound like: designed, engineered, and handcrafted specifically for your space, your workflow, your aesthetic, and your needs.
At Knotty Nuff Wood, this is our world.
And once you understand the difference, it’s easy to see why so many clients, residential and commercial, opt for a custom build.
Unlike stock or semi-custom, custom cabinetry doesn’t start with fixed sizes or factory limitations.
Instead, every cabinet is made from the ground up to match the space it’s going into, down to the 1/16 of an inch.
Complete Dimensional Freedom
Widths, heights, depths, everything is tailored
No fillers, no wasted corners, no awkward gaps
Full integration with appliances, storage tools, and site-specific architecture
Greater control over ergonomics (cabinet and counter heights tailored to your users)
Built from Real Materials, by Real Craftsmen
At Knotty Nuff Wood, we use solid hardwood and cabinet-grade plywood, not particleboard or MDF. That means:
Cabinets won’t warp, swell, or deteriorate under heat or moisture
Drawers won’t sag or stick over time
Doors feel heavy, smooth, and timeless
Damage can be repaired, not replaced
This matters in homes, of course, but it really matters in restaurants, bars, boutique retail, medical offices, or anywhere cabinetry takes a beating.
Designed Around You (Not the Other Way Around)
Want built-in recycling drawers that don’t take over your kitchen flow? Easy.
Need a bar cabinet that fits a 36” ice bin, two refrigerators, and a custom sink? No problem.
Have a curved wall, exposed beam, or ADA compliance needs? We’ll build around it.
Custom lets you focus on how you move and work, not how the factory wants you to.
Comparing the 3 Types: What Really Sets Them Apart
Let’s stack them side by side so you can clearly see how stock, semi-custom, and custom cabinetry compare in size, quality, design freedom, and long-term performance.
This isn’t just about price points or product features. It’s about how cabinetry performs in your real space, whether that’s your family kitchen or your client-facing front-of-house.
Stock and semi-custom may get the job done in simple or short-term scenarios, but when you want your cabinets to work hard, look stunning, and last decades, custom is in a league of its own.
FAQ: What People Always Ask About Cabinet Types
Can stock cabinets ever be modified after purchase?
Not easily. Cutting down a stock cabinet can compromise its structure. Most installers use fillers to make it work, which can result in wasted space and a patched-together look.
How long does it take to get custom cabinets?
It depends on the scope, but most custom builds take 6–12 weeks from design to install. At Knotty Nuff Wood, we guide you through every step so it’s smooth, not stressful.
Are custom cabinets only for luxury homes?
Not at all. We build everything from compact apartments to boutique cafés to busy family homes. The key difference is that custom cabinetry is built around real-life use, not generic blueprints.
Do you only work with residential clients?
Nope. We design and build custom wood cabinetry for both residential and commercial spaces. From restaurant kitchens to office breakrooms to retail display cabinetry, we’ve done it all.
Final Thoughts: Built Right, From the Start
Your kitchen isn’t just a place where you cook; it’s a space that sets the tone for how you live, how you host, and how you work. And for commercial kitchens, the cabinetry literally defines your workflow, speed, and cleanliness.
Choosing the right type of cabinets isn’t just about budget; it’s about what fits your space, your expectations, and your goals for the future.
If you’re looking for a fast fix or working with a strict template, stock or semi-custom may do the job. But if you care about long-term value, seamless fit, and materials that look better with time (not worse), custom wood cabinetry is the clear winner.
At Knotty Nuff Wood, we don’t build to fit the mold. We build to fit your life, your brand, and your space.
Ready to Build Cabinets That Actually Fit?
Let’s talk about your project. Whether you’re remodeling your home kitchen or designing cabinetry for a restaurant, spa, or office, we’re here to build something that works better, lasts longer, and feels like it was always meant to be there.
Reach out today for a quote or custom cabinet consult.