Choosing kitchen cabinets is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make in a remodel—and one of the easiest places to make a costly mistake. Colors can look different online, door styles may feel different in person, and the last thing anyone wants is to open a cabinet box on delivery day only to realize the cabinets look completely different than expected. That’s why ordering cabinet samples is the smartest first step in your kitchen remodel.
Cabinet samples allow you to see the true color and wood grain, feel the quality of the door, compare cabinet lines, and test how finishes look in your home’s lighting before committing. At The RTA Store, we believe choosing cabinets should feel exciting, not stressful, and cabinet samples help you to make decisions on your kitchen remodel with confidence, to avoid surprises later in the process.
How Cabinet Samples Help You Avoid Costly Kitchen Mistakes
While photos and product descriptions are helpful, they can only tell you so much. Kitchen cabinet samples let you experience the details that truly matter before committing to your full kitchen order. From seeing the finish in your own lighting to feeling the weight and craftsmanship of the door, samples help eliminate uncertainty and make the decision process much easier.
Here are some of the biggest ways cabinet samples help homeowners avoid surprises and choose cabinets with confidence.
See the True Cabinet Color in Your Home’s Lighting
Cabinet finishes can look very different depending on lighting. With so many cabinet colors to choose from, and a multitude of undertones, a cabinet color that looks warm online may look cool in your natural light. Sometimes, it can even be as drastic as a cabinet looking like a completely different color under artificial lighting!
With cabinet samples, you can place the door directly in your space and see how it looks throughout the day, from bright morning light to evening overhead lighting. Testing multiple samples of similar colors is important too, as the shades may look different. Take two black cabinets for example – one may look more blue in your lighting, so comparing multiple is best. This simple step helps ensure the finish you choose looks exactly the way you want once your kitchen is complete.
See the Wood Grain and Natural Variation
If you’re choosing wood cabinets, it’s important to remember that natural materials always have some variation. Wood grain patterns, color tones, and texture can differ slightly from door to door, and gives real wood cabinetry its character. Ordering cabinet samples allows you to see the grain pattern and finish up close so you can see the look and feel of the material in person. This helps set clear expectations and ensures there are no surprises when your cabinets arrive.
Experience the Quality and Craftsmanship
Photos can’t fully communicate how a cabinet door feels in your hand. With samples, you can experience the weight, construction, and craftsmanship up close. You’ll be able to feel the sturdiness of the door, examine the finish, and get a sense of the overall quality before committing. It’s a small step that can provide big peace of mind when investing in such a large project.
See the Details of the Door Style
Cabinet door styles often include subtle details that are hard to appreciate online. Bevels, edges, profiles, and panel depth can dramatically influence the overall look of your kitchen. Ordering cabinet samples allows you to examine these design elements closely so you can confidently choose the style that best fits your vision.
Compare Cabinet Lines Side by Side
If you’re deciding between multiple cabinet collections, samples make comparison much easier. Seeing two or three door styles together can quickly highlight differences in color tone, finish, or design. Most customers compare 3-5 cabinet samples side-by-side before choosing their favorite. Having them side-by-side helps you narrow down your choice and feel confident that you’re selecting the cabinet that best fits your space.
Explore Two-Tone Cabinet Combinations
Two-tone kitchens are a popular design trend, but it can be difficult to picture how different finishes will work together – especially if they’re not matching cabinet collections. Cabinet samples allow you to place multiple colors next to each other to see how they complement one another. Whether you’re considering a contrasting island or mixing upper and lower cabinet colors, samples make it easier to visualize the final look.
Make Sure They Match Existing Cabinets or Décor
Not every remodel starts from scratch. If you’re keeping some of your current cabinetry or coordinating with other elements like flooring, countertops, or trim, cabinet samples are incredibly helpful. You can hold the sample next to these features in your home to see how everything works together before making a final decision.
Avoid Surprises When Your Cabinets Arrive
One of the biggest advantages of ordering cabinet samples is simply avoiding unexpected surprises. When you’ve already seen and handled the door in person, you know exactly what to expect when your cabinets arrive. That means no second-guessing your decision and no worrying that the finish or style will look different than you imagined. Plus, you may think you love those moody cabinets or sage greens that are trending, but living with the color in your space for a bit lets you truly know if you will be happy with that choice day after day.
Building the Heart of Your Home
We get it – a kitchen remodel is a huge undertaking. Many decisions have to be made that are difficult at best to change again in the future. It can be extremely expensive depending on what you need and the choices you make, and often takes years of saving, financing, or a loan to afford it all.
We believe it’s most important that you’re confident in your design choices, with the least amount of stress possible. And with many moving parts, it’s common for things to go wrong or delays to concur during a remodel. Simple steps early in the process can help reduce the chances of regrets, and kitchen cabinet samples should be first on your list. To make it even simpler, cabinet samples from The RTA Store are refundable once returned, so they’ll only be a smaller up-front cost. Plus, you can go on to work with one of our experienced Designers (at no extra cost!) to help you stay on budget, ensure you have all you need in your cart before ordering, and design a space that functions specifically for you. Building the heart of your home in the kitchen is no small feat, and we will be with you every step, one cabinet at a time.
Working with The RTA Store
The RTA Store is your online one-stop-shop for all your cabinet needs and accessories. Our ready-to-assemble and pre-assembled kitchen cabinets give the look and durability of custom cabinetry at 30-50% less than big-box stores. With A-grade plywood boxes and MDF/HDF or hardwood door/drawer fronts, our cabinets come with a 20 year limited warranty.
But don’t stop there – we also have all the accessories you would need for your dream kitchen. Work with The RTA Store to complete your kitchen with range hoods, sinks and faucets, countertops, and under-cabinet lighting.
From spice drawers to mixer lifts, The RTA Store has more inside cabinet accessories than you’ll have room for. And it’s not limited to just the kitchen! Think file organizer for the office, laundry room hamper pullout, or bathroom vanity organizer, to customize your space.
Most importantly, you’ll have us in your corner every step of the way. Our Customer Service and Design teams are ready to support your cabinet journey so that you have confidence in your choices, and no surprises or regrets on installation day.
Getting Started
Not ready to commit to a cabinet collection? Ordering fully-refundable cabinet door samples is a great way to see the style and color in your lighting. You’d be surprised how different a finish can look in different lighting! Plus, many of our cabinets have matching collections to mix in one room. Try one collection for upper cabinets and another for lower cabinets, or different cabinets for the kitchen island!
Once you’re ready to start, a member of our free design service will work closely with you from steps A-Z. They’ll let you know exactly what size cabinets you need and double-check to make sure everything lines up perfectly. Our upgraded design service also gives you unlimited design revisions and price quotes. Plus, the cost of the service is taken off your total once you order!
No matter the room or cabinet, we’re here to help make your dream space a reality, and at your budget. Located near the Hudson Valley in New York? Come visit our showroom on Route 52 in Hopewell Junction, NY!
