Your Next Kitchen Remodel Just Got 50% More Expensive, Thanks to Trump’s Latest Tariffs

The Trump administration imposed several new tariffs last week, which could have a significant financial impact on homeowners considering renovations.

On Sept. 25, President Donald Trump announced on social media that starting Oct. 1, the U.S. will implement a 50% tariff on kitchen cabinets. In addition, there will also be a 50% tariff on bathroom vanities “and associated products,” and a 30% tariff on upholstered furniture.  

While the details are still sparse, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) said in a statement that the move “could raise construction costs.”

“Trump is moving to impose the tariffs under a law known as Section 232, which allows the president to enact trade restrictions if the U.S. government determines they are a threat to national security,” the NAHB added.

Other organizations welcomed the move, such as the American Kitchen Cabinet Alliance (AKCA), which wrote a letter to the president asking for even higher tariffs, “on behalf of America’s $14 billion cabinet industry, which is being decimated due to decades of unfair foreign trade practices perpetrated by foreign companies.”

The AKCA also noted that “imported cabinets are being sold at upwards of 70% below the domestic price, making it impossible for our cabinet companies to fairly compete,” and that “95% of American cabinet companies are family-owned, serving as an economic lifeline to small communities across the country.”

While these tariffs could help domestic businesses, experts say they will have a significant impact on American homeowners.

How much more will it cost for kitchen cabinets?

Even without tariffs, renovations have become increasingly pricier because of inflation. The Consumer Price Index’s latest August data shows that furniture costs 4.7% more than in August 2024, while dining room and dining room furniture increased an eye-popping 9.5% in the past year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

With the new tariffs’ double whammy, many Americans may be priced out of completing renovations.

George Carrillo, CEO and co-founder of the Hispanic Construction Council (HCC), says that homeowners should expect to pay thousands more for kitchen cabinets and vanities because the new 50% tariff on imports directly increases the main cost in most remodels.

“A set of stock cabinets that once cost $3,000 will now run closer to $4,500, and mid-range semi-custom sets could jump from $10,000 to $15,000,” he says. “The reason is simple: Tariffs act as a tax that importers pass on to consumers.”

A good example of this is Ikea, which responded to Trump’s decision to impose steep tariffs on its signature product line, warning that customers could soon see higher prices as a result.

“Our goal is to offer affordable, good-quality home furnishings to everyone,” the Swedish company told Newsweek. “In our experience across the markets where we operate, tariffs make these ambitions more difficult.”

Diana Simmons at Simply Cabinetry, a kitchen and bath design company, says the new tariffs could raise material and finished goods costs by 15%–30%, particularly for homeowners relying on imported cabinetry.

“That increase flows directly to consumers because most traditional cabinet retailers carry significant overhead: large inventories, expensive warehouses, and employee installers—all costs that get passed on to the homeowner,” she says.

Carillo recommends that families pivot to U.S.-made cabinets that avoid the surcharge, or refinish or reface existing cabinets, shop salvage and resale markets, or mix in open shelving and modular pieces to stay on budget.

“These options not only cut costs but also give homeowners more creative control," he says. "The key is to plan early, lock in pricing, and ask your contractor to source tariff-free alternatives so the dream of a beautiful kitchen or bath does not break the bank.”

Big-box retailers could hike their prices significantly

Upon hearing the news, homeowners immediately knew the impact on their favorite brands. In fact, "IKEA tariffs" has been trending on social media since the announcement.

The Swedish chain also spoke to Fast Company, confirming that the new tariffs would affect its prices in the U.S.

“With our more than $2 billion investment in U.S. growth, we have expanded domestic sourcing and manufacturing and created jobs,“  IKEA told the publication. “We remain committed to keeping prices as low as possible for our customers. As a global company, we source our resources from around the world—including here in the U.S. However, tariff increases will impact our prices in the United States.”

What are cheaper alternatives that won’t break the bank?

Remove overheads

For cheaper alternatives that work, Simmons says the most significant savings come from removing layers of overhead.

“By taking on some of the installation work themselves—or by working directly with a streamlined cabinet supplier—they can save thousands on a full kitchen remodel without sacrificing design or quality,” she says.

Opt for U.S.-made cabinetry

Paul Dashevsky, co-CEO at GreatBuildz. com, a free service that matches homeowners with prescreened general contractors, adds that cabinets are a substantial portion of any kitchen remodel. He notes that many budget-priced cabinets come from overseas manufacturers in China, and a 50% jump in cabinet prices could increase a kitchen remodel by 20%-25%.

“There are plenty of domestically produced cabinets, so there are still plenty of options to consider. To find the best-priced domestic cabinets, look for “prefab”-sized kitchen cabinets that are considered “builder grade.” These will be the most cost-effective,” he explains.

However, Dean Bennett, president of Dean Bennett Design & Construction, warns that while consumers can purchase less-expensive U.S.-made products, these products will be of lower quality for the same price.

“To maintain the kind of quality and functionality, as in many currently available foreign-made products, they will need to pay more,” he says.

Remove all the extras

Another option is to remove all the “extras.” For instance, Whitney Hill, CEO and co-founder of Snap ADU, a design-build accessory dwelling unit contractor, says homeowners should consider what she deems “value-engineered packages.”

Hill says that her company, for example, recently streamlined its basic cabinetry offerings by removing non-essentials like extra-deep above-refrigerator cabinets, crown molding, and certain end panels.

“This reduced the cost of our standard kitchen cabinets by 12% while still delivering a solid look. Most homeowners don’t miss those extras once the kitchen is complete,” she says.

Opt for standard sizing

Picking this instead of custom widths or depths keeps costs down and ensures faster delivery—and could also help bring the price down, she says.

Bennett echoes the sentiment, recommending avoiding specialty cabinets, like spice racks and pan racks.

“Stick with standard sizes (18, 24, 30, and 36 inches wide) for cabinets because they’re usually already made and available. Cabinets of 21-, 27-, 33-, and 39-inch width may be available, but not standard, so they have to be made and are usually more expensive,” he says.

Pick cost-conscious materials—and consider your timing

In terms of finishes, there are a slew of cost-conscious ones. Hill says that opting for laminate or thermofoil fronts instead of stained hardwood can cut costs significantly while still providing a clean aesthetic and durability.

Finally, Bennett says that time is of the essence for homeowners who still want to go ahead with their renovations.

“Order sooner than later—retailers may have remaining stock that is untariffed," he says.