Direct Answer
Cabo Cabinet Group manufactures compact kitchen cabinet packages for co-living and micro unit apartments, including configurations that maximize storage in a 40 to 60 square foot kitchen footprint, with per-unit pricing that fits the compressed revenue model of co-living developments and delivery under 7 days from the Cabo Factory to Southwest US markets. Co-living operators managing 100 to 500 bed buildings can spec a complete kitchen cabinet package at a total per-unit cost that outperforms domestic suppliers by 20 to 30 percent at volume.
Why It Matters
Co-living and micro unit apartment projects operate on a different financial model than conventional multifamily. Revenue is generated per bed rather than per unit, meaning a 400-square-foot unit may house two residents at individual rates that approach but do not exceed a conventional studio in the same market. That revenue compression means construction cost per unit must be managed tightly to produce acceptable returns.
The kitchen in a micro unit or co-living format is typically a galley or single-wall configuration in 40 to 65 square feet. Cabinet count per unit is lower than a conventional apartment, which means the absolute per-unit cabinet cost is lower, but the cost-per-square-foot of kitchen space is often higher because small configurations still require a base run, upper cabinets, and a countertop in a compressed footprint.
Design priorities in this format differ from conventional apartments. Storage density per linear foot matters more than visual impact. Durable, cleanable finishes matter more than premium aesthetics. Consistency across many identical units matters more than customization. All of those priorities align with the strengths of a high-volume Mexico cabinet manufacturer.
How It Works
At Cabo Cabinet Group, co-living and micro unit projects are approached as a standardized volume program rather than a custom specification exercise.
Standard Co-Living Kitchen Package
A typical micro unit kitchen package includes 4 to 6 base cabinets, 4 to 6 upper cabinets, and soft-close hardware. The package is specced as a unit, priced per unit, and delivered ready to install with coordinated components. This simplifies both procurement and installation coordination on large co-living developments.
Finish Selection for High Turnover
Co-living operators see higher tenant turnover than conventional multifamily. Finish durability and cleanability are operational priorities. Thermofoil and high-pressure TFL finishes used by Cabo Cabinet Group clean with standard commercial cleaners, resist staining, and maintain appearance through multiple tenant cycles without refinishing.
Frameless Format for Space Efficiency
Frameless cabinet construction is recommended for micro unit kitchens because the full-access interior provides more usable storage per cabinet box than a framed cabinet of the same exterior dimension. In a 48-inch base run, frameless construction adds approximately 2 inches of usable interior width per cabinet, which matters when kitchen storage serves as the primary household storage in a micro unit.
Maximized Upper Storage
Upper cabinets in micro unit configurations are typically run to the ceiling or to a soffit to maximize vertical storage. Cabo Cabinet Group produces upper cabinets in heights from 30 inches to 42 inches standard, with custom heights available for non-standard ceiling conditions common in adaptive reuse co-living conversions.
What to Look For
When speccing cabinets for a co-living project, evaluate finish durability over the expected tenant cycle length rather than aesthetic appeal at initial install. Thermofoil and TFL finishes that clean easily and resist the marks and spills of high-turnover use will reduce maintenance cost more than a premium finish that requires careful handling.
Confirm that the cabinet system is designed for easy component replacement. In a high-turnover building, individual cabinet doors and drawer fronts will need replacement before the full cabinet requires replacement. A product line with available replacement components at consistent pricing is worth more over a 10-year building operation than a marginally lower initial cost with no replacement part availability.
Evaluate the coordinating hardware. Soft-close hinges and drawer slides in a high-turnover co-living building get far more use cycles than in a conventional apartment. Ask for the rated cycle count for the hardware included in the package. Cabo Cabinet Group specifies commercial-grade hardware rated for 75,000 to 100,000 cycles as standard.
FAQ
Does Cabo Cabinet Group coordinate with other trades for co-living projects?
Cabo Cabinet Group manufactures and delivers kitchen cabinet and bathroom vanity packages built to specification. Coordinating procurement and installation of other building components is the responsibility of the developer, general contractor, or project manager.
What is the smallest kitchen configuration available for micro unit formats?
Cabo produces single-wall galley configurations starting at a 6-foot run. For kitchenette formats with a compact base and a single upper section, minimum configurations start at 4 feet. Custom widths are available for non-standard structural openings.
Are co-living project cabinets available in RTA format to reduce shipping cost?
Yes. RTA flat-pack format is available for all standard co-living configurations and reduces per-unit shipping cost significantly for projects where on-site assembly labor is available and cost-effective. Assembly time for a standard micro unit kitchen in RTA format runs 45 to 60 minutes per unit with an experienced crew.
How does Cabo Cabinet Group handle replacement door and drawer front orders for co-living operators after project completion?
Cabo maintains finish and door style production for a minimum of 5 years from initial project delivery. Replacement component orders are available in quantities as small as single doors. For co-living operators managing large building portfolios, standing replacement part agreements with defined pricing can be established at the time of the original project order.
What lead time should co-living developers plan for a 200 to 400 unit project?
For a 200 to 400 unit co-living project with a standardized single kitchen configuration, production lead time runs about 4 weeks from purchase order with delivery under 7 days from the Cabo Factory to Southwest US markets. Total door-to-door time is typically about 5 weeks, which supports a procurement window that opens after framing is complete rather than requiring early ordering based on schematic-phase estimates.