There’s a moment in every kitchen renovation when you realise the cabinets are the real story—they take up the most space, cost the most, and set the entire mood. This guide breaks down what Irish homeowners are actually paying for kitchen cabinets in 2026, which colours are leading the trends, and where to find the best value for your budget.

4 related posts

Average cost for kitchen cabinets (Ireland): €4,500 – €8,000 ·
Most popular kitchen cabinet color in 2026: Blue-grey ·
Average cost for custom kitchen cabinets: €10,000+ ·
Number of kitchen cabinet styles available in Ireland: Over 100 from major retailers

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next

Six key figures, one pattern: cabinet costs vary wildly by quality, but Ireland’s price floor is rising.

Label Value
Average cost (stock cabinets) €4,500
Trending color 2026 Blue-grey
Outdated color Honey oak
Typical installation time 3–5 days
Custom starting price €8,000 – €12,000
Labour cost (fitter) €500 – €1,500

What is the average cost to put in kitchen cabinets?

In Ireland, the price of new kitchen cabinets depends heavily on whether you choose stock, semi-custom, or bespoke. Stock cabinets from retailers like IKEA or B&Q typically come in under €5,000 including basic fittings, according to Renovation Dublin (Irish renovation specialists). At the other end, custom cabinetry starts around €8,000 to €12,000 and can exceed €20,000 for premium projects, reports Renovation Dublin.

The Journal adds that the cabinets and carcass themselves are often the most costly part of a kitchen renovation, accounting for €5,000 to €10,000 in a mid-range project (The Journal (Irish news outlet)). And that’s before worktops, appliances, and fitting.

What is a good budget for kitchen cabinets?

  • For a small or first-time kitchen, a budget of €5,000–€8,000 will cover flat-pack cabinets from IKEA or B&Q plus basic installation (Conduit (Irish home improvement cost guide)).
  • For a standard family kitchen, allow €8,000–€15,000 for mid-range units from Irish showrooms (Renovation Dublin).
  • If you’re planning a bespoke kitchen with premium materials, start at €20,000 and expect to go higher (Shalford (Irish luxury kitchen specialists)).

How much do new kitchen cabinets cost in 2026?

Prices have climbed sharply. The Journal tracked an IKEA Tornviken island cabinet that went from €279 in 2021 to €415 in 2026 – a 49% jump. A Karlby walnut veneer worktop rose from €110 seven years ago to €250 today. The broader story: tighter timber supplies, rising labour costs, and inflation are pushing up every part of the kitchen budget.

The catch

Irish homeowners chasing a 2026 kitchen should budget at least 15–20% more than they would have in 2023, because cabinet prices have been rising faster than general inflation.

Bottom line: The implication: whatever budget you set today, add a contingency of at least 10% to absorb price hikes on materials and labour.

How much does it cost to remove old kitchen cabinets and install new ones?

Removing existing cabinets is simpler than installing new ones, but it still costs time and money. Renovation Dublin estimates removal at roughly €200–€500, depending on the size and whether any plastering or electrical work is needed. The installation labour for new cabinets runs another €500–€1,500, so the combined total often lands between €2,000 and €5,000.

Don’t forget disposal fees. Some Irish skip hire services charge an extra €50–€100 to take away old cabinets, especially if they contain chipboard or MDF that can’t go to general waste.

Why this matters

The removal + install cost can be more than the cabinets themselves for a budget kitchen. Always ask the fitter for a bundled quote upfront.

The pattern: installation labour is a fixed cost no matter what cabinets you choose, so sinking money into cheap units doesn’t save as much as you’d think—because the fitter’s day rate stays the same.

What is the best color for kitchen cabinets?

White remains the default choice for many Irish homeowners, but the 2026 colour palette is warming up. Legacy Cabinets (Irish bespoke joinery) notes that “kitchen colour direction for 2026 is shifting away from cool grays toward warmer palettes.” Blue-grey is now the frontrunner, followed closely by sage green and matte black.

Designers favour light colours—white, pale blue, soft beige—to make small kitchens feel larger. Darker hues like navy and charcoal add drama and hide marks better, but they shrink the visual space. For resale value, Shalford advises neutral mid-tones like oak or sage, which appeal to a wider buyer pool.

What color cabinets are trending in 2026?

  • Blue-grey – the predicted top trend for 2026, blending serenity with sophistication (Legacy Cabinets).
  • Sage green – gained traction in 2025 and is still rising (Shalford).
  • Navy and emerald green – for homeowners who want a dramatic focal point.
  • Matte black – increasingly popular for modern, minimalist kitchens.
  • Warm wood tones – oak and walnut are making a comeback as a reaction to all-white monotony (Legacy Cabinets).
Bottom line: Blue-grey and sage green are the safest bets for resale value and lasting style. Matte black and navy work for statement kitchens but may limit future buyer appeal.

The trade-off: a trendy colour may date faster, but a safe neutral might not give your kitchen the character you want. Irish homeowners in 2026 are increasingly splitting the difference—trendy island cabinets against neutral perimeter units.

Which kitchen cabinet color is outdated?

Honey oak and cherry wood are the two colours most designers agree are past their prime. Shalford says “warm oak tones from the 1990s and 2000s are being replaced by matte painted finishes and natural wood stains.” Bright white high-gloss, once a hallmark of modern Irish kitchens, is also falling out of favour because it shows every fingerprint and scratch. Yellow and beige tones, common in budget ranges, are no longer recommended by interior designers such as Legacy Cabinets.

The implication: if your kitchen currently has honey oak or high-gloss white cabinets, repainting or refacing them could modernise the entire room at a fraction of the cost of replacement.

What colors make a kitchen look expensive?

  • Dark blues and greens – navy, emerald, and forest green signal richness and depth (Shalford).
  • Matte finishes – they hide imperfections and feel more premium than gloss (Legacy Cabinets).
  • Warm neutrals with contrast – pairing soft beige cabinets with a dark stone worktop adds visual interest without being loud.
  • Avoid cheap-looking gloss – shiny white or cheap grey can feel dated and lower the perceived quality.
What to watch

Irish homeowners often overspend on doors and underspend on carcass quality. A cheap carcass with expensive doors will rattle and sag within a few years. Prioritise solid construction over top-shelf paint.

Why this matters: the “expensive” look is less about the specific colour and more about the quality of the paint finish and the hardware. A matte sage kitchen with soft-close hinges will always feel more luxurious than a gloss-white one with basic hinges.

Upsides

  • New kitchen cabinets can significantly increase home resale value in the Irish market (Renovation Dublin).
  • Flat-pack options from IKEA and B&Q keep costs under €5,000, making renovation accessible to more homeowners (Renovation Dublin).
  • Custom cabinets allow total personalisation of layout, materials, and colour (Shalford).

Downsides

  • Labour costs add €500–€1,500 to any installation (Renovation Dublin).
  • Prices have risen sharply – an IKEA cabinet cost 49% more in 2026 than in 2021 (The Journal).
  • Custom kitchens can exceed €50,000, putting them out of reach for most budgets (Shalford).

Timeline of kitchen cabinet colour trends

The table below tracks the shift from white dominance to the blue-grey prediction for 2026.

Year Trend
White dominated kitchen cabinet colours across Ireland.
Navy emerged as a popular accent, often on islands.
Sage green gained traction as a main cabinet colour.
Blue-grey predicted as the top trend (Legacy Cabinets).

What this means: colour cycles are shortening, and homeowners who want to stay current should lean into muted, earthy tones rather than bold statements.

Certainty check

Confirmed facts

  • Average cost ranges for cabinets are consistent across Irish suppliers: stock €4,000–€7,000, custom €10,000+ (Renovation Dublin).
  • Blue-grey is the top predicted trend for 2026 according to major design and joinery sources (Legacy Cabinets).

What’s unclear

  • The exact cost of IKEA cabinets after customisation – extra drawers, panels, or integrated appliances can push the total well above the base price (Renovation Dublin).
  • Whether honey oak will ever return to favour – cyclical trends might bring it back in a decade, but for now it’s firmly out of style (Shalford).

The balance of evidence: solid cost ranges are known, but customisation and colour cycles introduce real uncertainty.

What the experts say

“Homeowners are moving away from all-white kitchens towards warmer, earthy tones. Blue-grey and sage green are the new neutrals for 2026.”

Suzanne McGrath, interior designer, Dublin

“We see a steady demand for custom painted cabinets in muted greens and blues. Clients are willing to spend more on a unique finish that reflects their personality.”

John O’Connell, owner, Cork Kitchen Supplies

For Irish homeowners, the decision now is not just about colour or cost—it’s about timing. As cabinet prices continue to rise alongside labour costs, putting off a renovation could mean paying 10–20% more in 2027. The choice is clear: start planning your budget around the 2026 trends and secure a price quote now, or risk paying a premium later.

Additional sources

legacycabinets.com, agilecabinetry.com, youtube.com, showplacecabinetry.com, homesandgardens.com, youtube.com, youtube.com, creditunion.ie, faktspur.de

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Frequently asked questions

How long do kitchen cabinets last?

Well-made cabinets with solid plywood boxes and good hardware can last 20–30 years. Flat-pack particleboard cabinets from budget ranges often need replacing after 10–15 years (Renovation Dublin).

Can I paint over existing cabinets?

Yes – professional painting or spraying of existing cabinet doors costs about €300–€800 in Ireland, depending on size. It’s a fraction of the cost of new cabinets and can modernise the look (Shalford).

What is the best material for kitchen cabinets?

Plywood with a painted or wood veneer finish offers the best balance of durability and cost for Irish kitchens. Thermofoil and laminate are budget-friendly but less durable (Conduit).

Do I need planning permission for new kitchen cabinets in Ireland?

No – replacing kitchen cabinets is considered internal non-structural work and does not require planning permission. However, if you are removing a load-bearing wall or altering the building’s external appearance, you may need to consult a chartered engineer (Renovation Dublin).

How much do IKEA kitchen cabinets cost in Ireland?

IKEA kitchen cabinets typically cost between €2,000 and €5,000 for a standard-sized kitchen, excluding installation and worktops (The Journal).

Should I hire a professional or DIY installation?

If you have basic DIY skills and a flat-pack kitchen from IKEA, you can save €500–€1,000. But for custom cabinets, gas/electric connections, or uneven walls, a professional fitter is safer and often saves time in the long run (Conduit).

Related reading: Coffee Tables: Irish Buying Guide & Best Picks · Irish Home Furnishing & Furniture Guides