We'll have melamine for our cabinets with doors as it's easier to clean and (I think) more affordable. The glass cabinet will have mdf as it looks nicer than melamine.

I'm with your KD.

Lots of folks here will tell you how much better ply cabs are, but I'm not convinced.

And I much prefer the melamine interiors: clean looking, and easy to keep clean. Plus, the extra light it reflects really does make a difference.

if you are on a tight budget go cheaper material, if you want a cabinet that is going to last a lifetime specify for a 3/4 solid wood plywood, not vinyl or melamine

Pros & Cons discussed here:

Here is a link that might be useful: Ply or melamine

I had to make the same choice. Local custom maker, clear maple cabinets with natural finish. Although of course budget is always considered, it is not my deciding factor. I talked to the cab shop, my GC, who is one of my best friends and who has lot of experience in the cab business. I ended up going with thermofused melamine based on their recommendations. Lot's of people think plywood=quality, which is simply not true. There is a lot of variation in plywood quality, as well as thickness to consider. I ended up choosing maple finish melamine because I liked the look and the ease of cleaning. My cabs do have all solid maple end panels, so only the interior carcass is melamine.
Drawer construction is another matter. I spec'd all birch plywood dovetailed drawers.
Oh, the old cabinets were Almillmo, had been in the house since it was built in 1985. They were also melamine (with I think some plywood ends) There were no pulled screws, etc. Had lasted 23 years with no problems. Very expensive cabinets. So don't automatically equate plywood=quality, melamine=cheap. It's not that simple, several other factors to consider. JMHO.

YMMV

Thanks for the info. I think we're going to go with ply boxes and melamine interiors (shelves, etc), with two exceptions. For the cabinet with glass doors, we'll get ply or hardwood mdf. And for the sink box, I'll specify all ply around that area because melamine can deform if it gets wet. I also like the idea of easy clean up with melamine; there was another thread by bluekit asking about shelf liners. I'm not a fan of contact paper, etc.

I think we need clarification....

Overlyoptimistic, I think you're asking about the lining of the interior of your cabinets, NOT what the walls are made of...is this correct?

I'm not an expert...so perhaps Live_Wire_Oak, Kompy, or others will chime in...

We chose birch plywood with a clear finish. It looks gorgeous! I lined a few drawers and the cabinet shelf that holds the oils and vinegars with Cushy Cupboard ... no mess, no scratches.

Yes, I'm definitely asking the cabinet maker for ply boxes and hardwood drawers. What I don't know about is the cabinet interiors-- melamine or ply. Sorry for the confusion.

Best of all worlds -

-3/4" birch plywood (prefinished clear) cabinet boxes.

-Solid hardwood doors (hardwood of your choice).

-Solid hardwood drawer boxes (birch). Bottom is made of 1/4" birch plywood (prefinished clear).

-Solid hardwood drawer fronts (hardwood of your choice).