When it comes to your kitchen, the right cabinets can make all the difference. They not only elevate the desired look and feel of your cooking space, but also improve its functionality. There is a cabinet door option to fit your taste and improve your home, ranging from simple and streamlined designs to detailed and sophisticated styles.
Let’s explore the nine most popular cabinet styles available, each offering unique characteristics that can enhance your kitchen’s aesthetic appeal.
Best for: Modern, contemporary, or mid-century modern kitchens
Slab cabinet doors, also known as “flat-panel” doors, are perfect for those looking to modernize their kitchen. With their frameless and flat structure, they offer a sleek and minimalist appearance. If you prefer a warm and traditional ambiance, choose slab cabinet doors with natural wood tones like chestnut or maple. For a modern or industrial aesthetic, painted slab cabinets work exceptionally well. To complement their sleek design, opt for linear cabinet hardware such as our brush satin nickel handle.
Best for: Modern, contemporary, transitional, or traditional kitchens
Shaker cabinets have stood the test of time with their simple yet beautiful design. Featuring recessed panels and clean edges, they offer a versatile option for various kitchen styles. The clean lines and minimalistic appeal of shaker cabinets make them easy to modernize.
Pair them with vibrant elements like a colorful backsplash or busy wall decor for a contemporary twist. Consider ice shaker white cabinets for a crisp and refreshing look in your kitchen.
Best for: Traditional or rustic kitchens
Traditional square-raised cabinets bring a sense of depth to your kitchen. Their elevated panels mirror the shape of the cabinets themselves, creating intriguing shadows and a textured profile.
Whether you prefer intricate and traditional designs or a more contemporary and straightforward aesthetic, traditional square-raised cabinets can be a perfect fit. Our pearl cabinets exemplify sophistication and showcase the beauty of this style.
Best for: Traditional, farmhouse, or cottage-style kitchens
Arch cabinet doors feature deep grooves and an arch-shaped top, exuding elegance and charm.
They work particularly well in kitchens with traditional design elements such as marble countertops or tile backsplashes.
If you want to add definition to your cabinets without overpowering other elements, consider the arch-raised panel style.
Best for: Traditional or Tuscan kitchens
For a touch of refinement, cathedral-raised cabinet doors are an excellent choice. With their raised arch design and curved lines, they evoke a sense of medieval architecture.
Opt for light-colored cathedral doors to create an airy and elegant ambiance, or choose darker shades for a more traditional feel. These cabinets are suitable for kitchens with high ceilings, adding a regal atmosphere to the overall space.
Best for: French country, farmhouse, cottage-style, or rustic kitchens
Beadboard cabinet doors can infuse your kitchen with a rustic and cozy feel. This style features vertical planks with small ridges, known as “beads,” between each plank.
You can choose to have a beadboard only on the doors or extend it to the drawers for a cohesive look. Embrace the charm of country or cottage-style kitchens by combining beadboard cabinets with wood ceiling beams and distressed furniture.
Best for: Modern, French country, or traditional kitchens
Mullion cabinet doors are an ideal choice for showcasing fine china or decorative kitchenware while keeping them protected. These doors feature mullions or moldings that divide an open frame.
The mullions can hold individual panes of glass or serve as decorative accents over a single pane of glass. The variety of patterns available makes mullion cabinets highly customizable, enabling you to create a unique and personalized look for your kitchen.
Best for: Modern, contemporary, or traditional kitchens
Open-frame cabinet doors offer an airy and open feel, making them a popular choice for modern and minimalist kitchens. Traditionally, these cabinets feature a single glass pane insert, allowing an unobstructed view of the cabinet contents.
However, you can use other materials, such as lattice or rattan, as inserts. Open-frame cabinets work best as accent cabinets or for upper cabinets, adding a contemporary touch to your kitchen.
Best for: French country, cottage-style, or traditional kitchens
Louvered doors, reminiscent of old-fashioned shutters, feature fixed horizontal slats that provide ventilation and allow light to pass through. These cabinets add a touch of classic charm and are suitable for kitchen pantries and spaces where proper air circulation is essential. Consider incorporating louvered cabinet doors to infuse a timeless home-style twist into your modern kitchen.
Choosing the right cabinet doors for your kitchen requires thoughtful consideration. To ensure a successful renovation that meets both your style preferences and functional needs, keep the following factors in mind:
Your cabinets play a significant role in your kitchen’s design, and allocating an appropriate budget is crucial. Typically, cabinets account for around 50% of a kitchen remodeling budget.
Consider the material, style, quantity, and any customizations you desire when determining the cost. Explore cost-effective alternatives without compromising on your desired look, such as ready-to-assemble cabinets that can be more budget-friendly.
Take your kitchen layout into account when choosing cabinets. Different spaces require different designs for maximum functionality and space utilization. For compact kitchens like galley kitchens, opt for simpler cabinet designs to prevent overcrowding. In larger U-shaped or G-shaped kitchens, consider adding more detailed cabinets to enhance the warmth and visual interest.
Improve the functionality of your kitchen by choosing cabinets that cater to your specific requirements. If you prioritize easy cleaning, opt for cabinets with fewer grooves and details.
Maximize storage in small kitchens by incorporating wall cabinets that reach the ceiling or installing custom features like lazy Susans. Identify the aspects of your current kitchen that need improvement and find suitable solutions within your design and budget.
Consider your preferred aesthetic and color palette when selecting cabinet doors. Determine whether you lean towards a modern or traditional design, a light and airy atmosphere, or a bold and dramatic statement.
Ensure that your chosen cabinets complement your existing decor, promoting a harmonious flow throughout the space. Remember, your kitchen remodel is an opportunity to revamp your home decor and create a cohesive design.
If you’re unsure about the ideal kitchen style for you, consult our kitchen design style guide, which can help you determine your perfect design based on your MBTI results.
Choosing the right kitchen cabinet door style is a crucial aspect of enhancing the overall look, functionality, and organization of your kitchen. Consider your preferences, budget, kitchen layout, functional needs, and desired style to find the perfect cabinets that will elevate your cooking space to new heights of beauty and efficiency.