If you’ve been shopping for kitchen cabinets online, you’ve seen it everywhere: “10x10 kitchen cabinets starting at $X.”
Here’s the truth: a 10x10 kitchen price is not a quote. It’s a benchmark.
This guide explains what a 10x10 kitchen really includes, what it leaves out, and how to calculate the real cost of your kitchen cabinet layout.
If you want accuracy (and no surprises), Riley & Higgs offers free design services. Send your measurements and we’ll create a complete cabinet list and quote for your actual kitchen.
What does “10x10 kitchen” mean?
A 10x10 kitchen is a standard display layout used in the cabinet industry to compare cabinet lines. It typically assumes:
· Two walls of cabinets, each 10 feet long
· Basic cabinet configuration (limited upgrades)
· No island
· No special storage accessories beyond a lazy-susan base corner cabinet (varies by seller)
You can check out a variety of colors, finishes, and prices for 10x10 kitchens here. It's a great way to see how prices vary between styles and colors as you begin planning your own kitchen design.
What a 10x10 price usually includes
· Stock cabinet boxes (base + wall)
· Standard doors and drawers
· Basic fillers (sometimes)
What 10x10 pricing usually does NOT include (the real cost drivers)
· Island cabinets
· Tall pantry cabinets
· Crown molding and trim upgrades
· Finished decorative panels and end skins
· Trash pullouts, spice pullouts, rollouts
· Soft-close upgrades (if not standard)
· Hardware (pulls/knobs)
· Installation
· Countertops
· Shipping or delivery charges (varies by seller, and can add substantial cost)
Why 10x10 pricing is still useful
Used correctly, 10x10 pricing helps you compare cabinet lines and quality levels — it’s a standardized starting point. But it’s not a remodel budget.
How to estimate your real kitchen cabinet cost
Contractors and experienced designers estimate cabinet cost using layout complexity and cabinet count, not square footage.
Rule of thumb multipliers (fast estimates)
· Simple kitchen (galley / small L-shape): 1.2x to 1.6x the 10x10 price
· Average kitchen (L-shape + island): 1.6x to 2.4x the 10x10 price
· Large kitchen (U-shape + island + pantry): 2.4x to 3.5x the 10x10 price
· Multi-unit rental standardization: use a repeatable cabinet list and negotiate volume
Example (quick math)
If a cabinet line shows $3,500 for a 10x10 kitchen:
· Average L-shape + island could land around $5,600 to $8,400 (before upgrades)
· Large U-shape with pantry could land around $8,400 to $12,250
Important: These are directional estimates. Your exact cabinet list determines the real price.
The 5 cabinet upgrades that change price the most
1. Tall pantry cabinets (storage powerhouse, higher cost)
2. Islands (adds many cabinets fast)
3. Decorative panels (required for finished ends and islands)
4. Drawer bases (worth it, but cost more than door bases)
5. Molding stacks (especially with tall ceilings)
How to get an accurate quote (without wasting weeks)
To get an accurate cabinet quote, you need:
· Kitchen measurements
· Ceiling height
· Window and door locations
· Appliance specs
· Preferred layout type
· Finish/style preference
Then, you need a cabinet list that matches your kitchen. That’s the part most people get wrong when ordering online.
The easiest solution: free design services from Riley & Higgs
Riley & Higgs can create a complete cabinet layout and item list at no cost. This is the simplest way to price a full kitchen cabinet set accurately and avoid missing pieces like fillers, panels, and trim.
Next steps
· Take measurements using our kitchen measuring checklist
· Email photos and appliance specs
· Request a full cabinet layout and itemized quote through our free design service
· Check out the 10x10 designs on our site if you have not already done so! Just hit the magnifying glass icon and type in “10x10” or visit the link here.