The Short Answer
The lifespan of kitchen cabinets depends primarily on construction quality and maintenance. Solid wood and plywood-box cabinets from reputable manufacturers typically last 30-50+ years. Particleboard-box cabinets have a shorter lifespan — 15-20 years before the boxes show significant wear. Signs of aging cabinets: drawer slides that no longer close fully, doors that sag or will not stay closed, delaminating surfaces, swollen particleboard at the base (moisture damage), and deteriorating hinge performance. Cosmetic aging (dated door style, worn finish) does not indicate structural failure — refacing is an option.