Custom kitchen cabinets in Dubai cost about AED 1,500 to 2,200 per linear metre for laminate on moisture-resistant MDF, AED 2,300 to 3,200 for PU lacquer, AED 2,800 to 4,500 for wood veneer and AED 1,800 to 3,000 for aluminium, for base units supplied and installed in 2026. Imported European kitchens start around AED 4,500 per metre. For a typical 3.6-metre L-shaped apartment kitchen with base, wall and one tall unit, that means roughly AED 11,000–16,000 in laminate or AED 15,000–21,000 in PU before the worktop. Here is how to choose a material that survives Dubai’s humidity, what each finish really costs and how to compare quotes.
In short:
- The carcass (the box) matters more than the door: insist on moisture-resistant boards around the sink and dishwasher.
- Laminate is the best value; PU lacquer gives the seamless painted look; aluminium is the choice for wet areas and termite-prone villas.
- Hinges and drawer runners decide whether a kitchen still closes properly in five years.
- Custom cabinets take about 3–5 weeks to produce in the UAE; imported kitchens 8–14 weeks.
Cabinet materials that survive Dubai’s humidity
Kitchens in Dubai deal with steam, condensation from the AC, occasional leaks under the sink and, in villas, termites. The board the cabinet is built from is the first line of defence:
- Moisture-resistant (MR) MDF, the green-core board, is the standard for good custom kitchens in Dubai. It machines cleanly, takes paint well and resists swelling far better than standard board.
- High moisture-resistant chipboard is used by many ready-made kitchen brands. It is fine for wall and tall units, less forgiving under a leaking sink.
- Marine plywood is strong and screw-holding, and usually reserved for sink cabinets or outdoor kitchens.
- Aluminium carcasses do not swell, rot or attract termites, which is why they are popular in villas and for laundry and outdoor kitchens.
Whatever the board, ask for 18 mm carcasses, edges sealed with 1–2 mm ABS or laser edge banding on all sides, an aluminium tray in the sink cabinet and adjustable legs with a removable plinth so the floor can be cleaned and inspected.
Door finishes compared
| Finish | Look and durability | Base units, AED per metre |
|---|---|---|
| Laminate (HPL or melamine) | Huge colour and wood-grain range, very hard-wearing, edges are visible up close. | 1,500–2,200 |
| Acrylic high gloss | Mirror-like and modern, shows fingerprints, scratches can be polished out. | 2,000–2,800 |
| PU lacquer (duco) | Seamless painted finish in any colour, matt or gloss, repairable, chips if knocked hard. | 2,300–3,200 |
| Thermofoil (PVC membrane) | Affordable painted look, can peel near ovens and dishwashers in heat. | 1,600–2,300 |
| Wood veneer | Real oak or walnut on a stable core, warm and natural, needs a good lacquer. | 2,800–4,500 |
| Aluminium frame with glass | Light and slim for wall units and display, no moisture issues. | 2,500–3,500 |
| Solid wood and European brands | Premium craftsmanship and hardware, longest lead times. | 4,500–9,000+ |
How much kitchen cabinets cost in Dubai (2026)
Most Dubai joinery companies price custom kitchens per linear metre of each unit type. These indicative ranges include the carcass, doors, soft-close hardware, delivery and installation:
| Unit type | Laminate | PU lacquer |
|---|---|---|
| Base units (60 cm deep) | AED 1,500–2,200 /m | AED 2,300–3,200 /m |
| Wall units (35 cm deep) | AED 1,000–1,500 /m | AED 1,500–2,100 /m |
| Tall units (pantry, oven tower) | AED 2,000–2,800 /m | AED 2,800–3,800 /m |
Worked example: an L-shaped kitchen with 3.6 m of base units, 3.0 m of wall units and a 0.6 m oven tower comes to about AED 11,500 in laminate or AED 15,500 in PU lacquer at mid-range rates. A 20 mm quartz worktop along the base run adds about AED 2,800–4,000.
Worktops
- Quartz (engineered stone): AED 650–1,100 per linear metre. Non-porous, the most popular choice in Dubai.
- Granite: AED 550–1,000 per metre. Heat resistant, needs sealing every year or two.
- Porcelain or sintered stone: AED 900–1,800 per metre. Thin, heat and stain resistant, edges need careful handling.
- Marble: AED 1,200–3,500 per metre. Beautiful and soft: it etches with lemon and vinegar.
- Solid surface: AED 900–1,600 per metre. Seamless joints and integrated sinks, can scorch.
Hardware: where cheap kitchens fail
Doors that drop, drawers that stick and lift-up flaps that slam are almost always hardware problems. Ask which brand of hinges, runners and lift systems the quote includes; well-known European brands cost more but carry long warranties and spare parts are easy to find in Dubai. Choose full-extension soft-close drawers for base units instead of doors where you can: you see everything at once and use the space better. Handleless kitchens use a recessed aluminium channel or push-to-open hardware, which should be specified at the drawing stage.
Ready-made, custom or imported?
- Flat-pack and ready-made: the cheapest and fastest (one to two weeks), in fixed sizes with filler panels to close gaps. Good for rentals.
- Custom-made in the UAE: built to your exact measurements and ceiling height, any finish, about three to five weeks of production plus three to five days on site. This is what most renovations use.
- Imported European kitchens: premium systems and finishes, eight to fourteen weeks of lead time, and you pay for the brand as well as the box.
Replace the doors or the whole kitchen?
If the carcasses are dry, square and solid, new doors, handles, worktop and hinges can transform a kitchen for roughly AED 600–1,400 per linear metre. If you see swollen panels under the sink, sagging shelves or a layout that does not work, replace the whole kitchen. Changing the layout usually means moving plumbing and power, which turns a cabinet job into a kitchen renovation.
Design tips for Dubai kitchens
- Take wall and tall units to the ceiling or close them with a bulkhead: open tops collect sand and dust.
- Choose appliances before the drawings are final, so every opening is built to the right size.
- Many apartment towers do not allow a cooker hood to vent outside: plan a good recirculating hood and a filter you can reach.
- Put a leak tray or water sensor under the sink and dishwasher.
- Add sockets for small appliances inside a tall unit to keep worktops clear, and LED strips under the wall units.
Do you need approval to change kitchen cabinets?
Replacing cabinets like for like normally only needs a building or community NOC for the contractor’s access and working hours. Moving the sink, gas or electrical points is a modification and needs a fuller NOC submission, explained in our guide to getting a building NOC for renovation in Dubai.
How to compare kitchen cabinet quotes
- Check the board: MR MDF or chipboard, thickness, and which units use which.
- Check the hardware brand for hinges, runners and lift systems.
- Check what is included: worktop, sink cut-outs, plinth, fillers, end panels, lighting, removal of the old kitchen, appliance installation.
- Ask for a drawing with elevations and a final site measurement after tiling.
- Compare per metre and in total, on the same layout.
Frequently asked questions
How much do kitchen cabinets cost in Dubai?
In 2026, custom kitchen cabinets cost about AED 1,500 to 2,200 per linear metre in laminate, AED 2,300 to 3,200 in PU lacquer and AED 2,800 to 4,500 in wood veneer for base units, supplied and installed. A typical apartment kitchen costs AED 11,000 to 21,000 before the worktop.
What is the best material for kitchen cabinets in the UAE?
Moisture-resistant MDF is the best all-round carcass for Dubai kitchens, with marine plywood or aluminium for the sink cabinet. For doors, laminate is the most durable for the price and PU lacquer gives the best painted finish.
Are aluminium kitchen cabinets better?
Aluminium cabinets do not swell, rot or attract termites, so they suit villas, laundries and outdoor kitchens. They cost a little more than laminate and feel less warm, so many owners combine an aluminium carcass with wood-look or lacquered doors.
How long does it take to make custom kitchen cabinets in Dubai?
About three to five weeks of production after the drawings are approved and the site is measured, then three to five days to install. Imported European kitchens take eight to fourteen weeks.
Can I replace only the kitchen cabinet doors?
Yes, if the carcasses are dry and solid. New doors, handles, hinges and a worktop cost roughly AED 600 to 1,400 per linear metre and take about two to three weeks.
Is PU or acrylic better for kitchen cabinets?
PU lacquer can be any colour, matt or gloss, and can be repaired, but it chips if knocked hard. Acrylic gives a high-gloss mirror finish that is very consistent and cheaper, but shows fingerprints and comes in fewer colours.
Planning a new kitchen?
We design and build kitchens as part of our apartment renovation and villa renovation projects, with drawings, 3D views and the plumbing and electrical work in one contract. Book a free site visit and get a fixed-price quote for your kitchen.
