: These ship flat-packed (like IKEA). They are significantly cheaper to ship and buy, but require your time and tools for assembly.

: Map out every inch of your kitchen, including the location of windows, doors, appliances, and utilities (plumbing and electrical).

When shopping online, you cannot touch the product, so you must rely on technical specifications. Look for these "gold standard" features:

: Most reputable online retailers, such as The RTA Store or Cabinets.com , offer sample doors for a small fee. Seeing the finish in your kitchen’s specific lighting is essential.

Never order an entire kitchen based on a digital image. Colors and textures vary wildly across different screens.