Custom vs. Ready-to-Assemble (RTA) Cabinetry: Pros and Cons

Choosing the Right Cabinets for Your Florida Home: RTA, Semi-Custom, or Fully Custom?

At MDI Luxury Cabinetry, we understand that every home deserves cabinetry that’s not only beautiful but built to last—especially in the coastal climates of Pinellas County and beyond. Whether you're remodeling a beachside home in Madeira Beach or upgrading a condo in downtown St. Pete, choosing the right type of cabinetry is essential for both style and function.

In this guide, we break down the three main categories of cabinetry—Ready-To-Assemble (RTA), semi-custom, and fully custom cabinets—and how MDI Luxury Cabinetry brings elevated quality and craftsmanship to each.

RTA Cabinets: Affordable Luxury for Florida, Louisiana & Beyond

RTA (Ready-To-Assemble) cabinets are an excellent choice for homeowners who want high-quality cabinetry at a cost-effective price point. At MDI Luxury Cabinetry, we bring a level of craftsmanship to RTA cabinets that far exceeds typical big-box options—making them ideal for homes across Florida, Louisiana, and select locations nationwide.

Our RTA cabinet collection features:

• Frameless & Faceframe full-overlay design for a sleek, modern look

• ¾-inch or 1/2 thick birch plywood cabinet boxes—no flimsy half-inch construction

• Soft-close hinges and drawer glides standard on all models

• Real wood doors in popular styles like white shaker, light oak, and coastal tones

Whether you're remodeling a historic home in Folsom, LA, upgrading a beach cottage in Madeira Beach, FL, or working on a new build in St. Petersburg or Covington, our RTA cabinets offer the perfect blend of durability, luxury, and affordability.

For added convenience, we offer nationwide shipping on all RTA orders—delivered flat-packed and ready for assembly. (Please note: we do not currently ship to Alaska or Hawaii.)

Semi-Custom Cabinets: Flexibility Meets Function

If you're looking for more flexibility in style and sizing without going fully custom, semi-custom cabinetry is a fantastic middle ground. MDI Luxury Cabinetry offers a wide array of semi-custom options, including:

• A curated palette of trending coastal colors and designer wood finishes

• Multiple door styles, including shaker, raised panel, slab, and mixed-glass designs

• Adjustable components and upgraded accessories like pull-out spice racks, tray dividers, and built-in drawer organizers

Our semi-custom lines offer enhanced design possibilities at a competitive price point, making them ideal for homeowners in areas like Seminole, Largo, and Treasure Island who want a polished look without a fully custom timeline.

Custom Cabinets: Built for Your Vision

For those seeking true design freedom and one-of-a-kind craftsmanship, MDI Luxury Cabinetry proudly offers fully custom cabinets—handcrafted to suit your space, taste, and lifestyle. Whether you're building a new home in Tierra Verde or doing a high-end kitchen renovation in Clearwater Beach, our team will work with you to bring your vision to life.

Custom cabinetry allows you to:

• Choose from a limitless range of woods, finishes, and glazes

• Customize every dimension to fit unique architectural spaces

• Add luxury features like LED lighting, hidden charging drawers, wine storage, and more

• Laser-engraved dovetail drawers with our exclusive MDI logo—a mark of quality and craftsmanship

We construct each custom cabinet box using ¾-inch hardwood plywood, and our drawers feature solid wood dovetail joinery for unmatched durability. Every detail is carefully engineered to thrive in Florida’s humid environment while delivering timeless elegance.

Why Florida Homeowners Trust MDI Luxury Cabinetry

As a Florida-based company, MDI Luxury Cabinetry specializes in cabinetry that’s made to withstand the coastal climate and complement the local lifestyle. We serve clients throughout Pinellas Park, St. Petersburg, Largo, Seminole, Madeira Beach, and beyond, offering everything from fast-shipping RTA cabinets to completely custom cabinetry solutions.

Whether you're a homeowner, interior designer, or contractor, we’re here to help you elevate your space with products that combine performance, luxury, and style.

Start Your Cabinetry Project Today

Visit MDILuxuryCabinetry.com to explore our full collection or call us today to schedule a design consultation. From concept to completion, we’re your trusted partner for luxury cabinetry in Florida’s coastal communities.