
Choosing new cabinet hardware is a fun balance of practicality and design. Costs range between under $100 and up to five figures, though, so budgeting and knowing which materials you can afford is key. This cost guide breaks it all down.
Learn the difference between these two kitchen features
Cabinets are storage pieces that can stand alone or be built onto a wall.
Cupboards are a type of cabinet meant to store items out of sight in various rooms.
These features serve similar purposes, but we use and arrange them differently.
You might be confused about the differences between cabinets and cupboards, especially since the terms tend to be used interchangeably. Think of the two as cousins in the furniture family—they have some of the same DNA but subtle differences that set them apart. Our guide can help you understand what makes each distinct so you can decide which type of storage feature your local cabinet maker should add to your home.
Although they’re often confused for each other, cabinets and cupboards can be differentiated by how they’re used, how they’re made, what shape they are, and their sizes.
Type of Difference | Cabinets | Cupboards |
---|---|---|
Size | Smaller when built into wall | Larger if freestanding |
Shape | Rectangular or square | Mostly rectangular, tall or short |
Purpose | Store everyday items | Store extra items out of sight |
Construction | Mostly made with wood | Made with a wider range of materials |
Cabinets and cupboards are essential for keeping things organized, but they have distinct differences in size, purpose, shape, and construction.
As mentioned above, cupboards are a type of cabinet, but they are usually smaller when built into a wall. They usually have shelves for storing dishes, cups, or pantry items. Think of a pantry cupboard where you keep snacks or a bedroom cupboard for storing clothes.
Depending on the location in your home, cupboards are meant to store items in a way that keeps them hidden from view. Whether you need to store extra towels in the bathroom or spare sheets in a guest bedroom, cupboards provide extra storage for things you likely don’t need every day. On the other hand, full and overlay cabinets keep your essentials within arm’s reach so that you don’t have to dig for your spatula. They’re meant to store everything from drinking glasses in the kitchen to toothpaste and floss in the bathroom, so they usually have a door or two to conceal what’s inside.
When used in bathrooms and kitchens, cabinets are square or rectangular or can sometimes have arches to match a specific design style. Since they are featured more as freestanding pieces of furniture, cupboards are taller and more rectangular or, if used in a media room or in an entry, shorter and wider.
Cabinets typically have one or more doors, shelves, or drawers to store everyday items. They’re most commonly made of wood but can sometimes be constructed with metal or plastic. Cupboards can also have doors, shelves, and drawers and can be made from a wide variety of materials, from wood, metal, and plastic to stainless steel and melamine.
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Choosing new cabinet hardware is a fun balance of practicality and design. Costs range between under $100 and up to five figures, though, so budgeting and knowing which materials you can afford is key. This cost guide breaks it all down.
The cost to replace the bottom of kitchen cabinets often isn’t too high, but depending on the damage, a full cabinet replacement can cost thousands.
The cost of kitchen cabinets can vary considerably for custom versus factory builds, different materials, and more. Learn the average cost of kitchen cabinets.
From loose hinges to overlapping doors and other common problems, the reason why your cabinet doors won’t close all the way can be found in our comprehensive guide.
Do you install cabinets or flooring first when remodeling your kitchen? We explain why it depends, breaking down the pros and cons of each approach.
When upgrading your kitchen, compare inset vs. overlay cabinets. Here’s what you should know about the differences between the two constructions.