Custom Cabinets Compared: AnnTucker vs. Arbor Mills

Custom Cabinets in Chicago: AnnTucker vs. Arbor Mills

Custom cabinets are built to fit your kitchen, your layout, and the way you live. At Design First Builders, we offer two custom cabinet lines for Chicagoland homeowners: AnnTucker and Arbor Mills. Both are made to order. The difference is how far each one can go. AnnTucker gives you custom cabinetry within a set range of construction, door, and finish options. Arbor Mills removes those limits for designs that need more. Below, we compare the two so you can see which fits your project.

Key Takeaways

• Custom cabinets are built to your measurements, so they fit your space and use storage better than stock cabinets.
• AnnTucker suits custom kitchens with standard door shapes and a wide range of stain and paint colors.
• Arbor Mills suits designs that need arched doors, one-of-a-kind finishes, or extra durability.
• Ask any cabinet line about construction, finish, and testing, not just looks.
• Not sure which one you need? Your designer can recommend one based on your layout, style, and budget.

What are custom cabinets?

Custom cabinets are cabinets made to order for your kitchen, instead of chosen from a set of standard sizes. Each cabinet is sized to your room, and you choose the style, finish, and details. That’s different from stock cabinets, which come in fixed sizes, and it’s why custom cabinetry is often the starting point for a new layout.

Why choose custom cabinets over stock?

Custom cabinets fit your kitchen exactly, while stock cabinets only fit when your room matches their sizes. When it doesn’t match, you end up with filler strips, wasted corners, and gaps. Custom cabinets avoid that. They can also:

• Use every inch. Awkward corners and odd wall lengths become usable storage.
• Support a new layout. A moved sink, a bigger island, or an opened wall all work better with cabinets built for them.
• Match your style. You choose the door style, finish, and details instead of picking from a catalog.
• Improve storage. Pull-outs, pantry units, and organizers can be planned around how you cook and live.

Because cabinetry is usually the largest line item in a kitchen remodel, it’s also one of the best places to invest. See our Chicago kitchen remodel cost guide for how cabinets fit into your total budget.

What is AnnTucker custom cabinetry?

AnnTucker is our custom cabinet line, designed to give you a wide range of styles, sizes, and colors. Our designers work directly with the AnnTucker shop, which gives us more insight, direction, and quality control on every project. It’s a solid, dependable choice for most kitchens. Standard construction includes:

• ¾” plywood ends
• ¾” face frames
• A choice of standard Minwax stains and Sherwin-Williams paint colors

What are the limits of AnnTucker custom cabinets?

AnnTucker works within a set range of options. For example, it can’t produce arched or curved doors, and finishes come from standard Minwax stain and Sherwin-Williams paint colors. If your design stays within those standards, you get quality custom cabinetry. If your vision goes beyond them, Arbor Mills is the better fit.

What makes Arbor Mills full-custom?

Arbor Mills is a custom cabinet maker in Lockport, Illinois, with more than 60 years in business, and it’s our premium line for designs that need more. It’s the right choice for clients who want their ideas built exactly as imagined. Here’s how it goes further:

• Thicker construction. Face frames are roughly 1⅛” thick, compared to ¾” with AnnTucker, and the plywood is thicker throughout.
• A finish built to last. The finish is designed to expand and contract along with the wood, which helps it resist cracking and keeps joint lines clean for years.
• Almost any color. Fully custom colors are available, including finishes that replicate automotive metallic paint.
• More design freedom. Arched doors, glass fronts, decorative screens, and a wide range of inserts are all possible.

How do AnnTucker and Arbor Mills custom cabinets compare?

The main difference is how much design freedom you get. AnnTucker offers custom cabinetry with standard options. Arbor Mills offers unlimited custom design with thicker construction. Here’s how they compare in five areas.

Construction

Start with what’s underneath. AnnTucker uses ¾” plywood ends and ¾” face frames. Arbor Mills uses thicker plywood throughout and face frames of roughly 1⅛”.

Finishes and colors

Color is where the two lines separate most. AnnTucker offers standard Minwax stains and Sherwin-Williams paint colors. Arbor Mills offers fully custom colors, including automotive-style metallic finishes, along with a finish designed to move with the wood.

Door styles and details

Door shape matters if you want something unusual. AnnTucker covers standard door shapes. Arbor Mills adds arched doors, glass fronts, decorative screens, and a wide range of inserts.

Durability

How long a kitchen looks new depends on its finish and build. Arbor Mills’ thicker frames and flexible finish are designed for long-term durability. AnnTucker’s standard construction is solid and dependable for everyday use.

Best for

Think about the design you want. AnnTucker fits kitchens with standard door shapes and a wide range of stain and paint colors. Arbor Mills fits designs that need curved doors, unique finishes, or extra durability for decades.

Which custom cabinet line is right for your kitchen?

Choose based on your design: AnnTucker for standard options, Arbor Mills for anything beyond them. Here’s a simple way to decide.

Choose AnnTucker if:

• Your design uses standard door shapes
• You like stain or paint colors from a standard palette
• You want quality custom cabinets that fit your layout

Choose Arbor Mills if:

• You want arched or curved doors
• You want a one-of-a-kind finish or a custom color
• You want glass fronts, decorative screens, or special inserts
• Long-term durability is a top priority

Still not sure? That’s what your designer is for. During your consultation, we look at your layout, your style, and your budget, then recommend the line that fits.

How can you judge the quality of custom cabinets?

Look at construction, finish, and any third-party testing, not just how a cabinet looks in a showroom. Ask what the face frames and boxes are made of, how the finish is applied, and how drawers and doors are built. You can also ask whether a cabinet line has independent certification. The Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA) says its certified cabinets pass 14 tests, including a 600-pound load test covering structure, drawers and doors, and finish durability.

Not sure what to ask? Your designer can walk you through each line’s construction and show you samples. 

How much do custom cabinets cost, and how long do they take?

Cost and lead time depend on the line, the size of your kitchen, the materials, and the finish. In general, full-custom design with thicker construction and special finishes costs more than a custom line with standard options. 

For how cabinets fit into your overall budget, see our kitchen remodel cost guide. If you’re changing the layout, our guide to open vs. closed kitchen layouts can help you plan around your cabinets.

Where else do custom cabinets work besides the kitchen?

Custom cabinetry works anywhere you want storage that fits. Homeowners use it for bathroom vanities, butler’s pantries, built-ins in a family room addition, home offices, and mudrooms. If you’re also thinking about layout, read about AI kitchen design before you fall in love with an image that can’t be built.

Frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between AnnTucker and Arbor Mills cabinets?

AnnTucker is custom cabinetry with standard construction, door, and finish options. Arbor Mills is fully custom, with thicker construction and options such as arched doors, custom colors, and special finishes.

Are custom cabinets worth it?

For many homeowners, yes. Custom cabinets are built to your measurements, so they fit your space and layout and use storage better than stock cabinets. They’re also what make a reconfigured kitchen layout possible.

Can AnnTucker make arched or curved doors?

No. AnnTucker can’t produce arched or curved doors. If you want them, Arbor Mills is the better option.

What finishes does Arbor Mills offer?

Arbor Mills offers fully custom colors, including finishes that replicate automotive metallic paint. Its finish is designed to expand and contract with the wood to help it resist cracking.

Are custom cabinets more expensive than stock?

Generally, yes, because they’re made to order. The price depends on the line, the size of your kitchen, and the finish. Your designer can give you numbers for your project.

How long do custom cabinets take?

 Lead times vary by line, size, and finish. Your designer will give you a schedule for your project.

How do I choose between them?

Start with your design. If it uses standard door shapes and colors, AnnTucker is a strong fit. If it calls for curved doors, special finishes, or extra durability, choose Arbor Mills. Your designer can help you decide.

Ready to choose custom cabinets for your kitchen?

Every kitchen is different, and the best way to find the right cabinets is to talk it through. At your first meeting, our team comes to your home, talks through what you want, and walks you through your options. No rush, no pressure to decide on the spot.

We serve homeowners across Chicagoland, including Naperville, Wheaton, Schaumburg, Glen Ellyn, and Arlington Heights. See our kitchen remodeling projects, learn about our process, or read design-build vs. general contractor.

Let’s have a conversation about custom cabinetry