The kitchen is the heart of the home and the cabinets are the framework that gives it shape. Cabinets not only provide essential storage for dishes, food, and cooking utensils, they also define the style and aesthetic of your kitchen’s design.
With so many options for styles, colors, materials, and configurations, it can be overwhelming trying to decide what kind of cabinets to install during a kitchen remodel or renovation.
I’ll walk you through the most popular kitchen cabinet styles – from timeless classics to contemporary trends – and discuss the pros, cons, and considerations of each. Whether you prefer a traditional look with ornate detailing or a sleek, modern style, there is a fantastic cabinet option to match your tastes and your home.
I’ll go over what works best for small spaces versus larger gourmet kitchens. You’ll also learn expert tips on how to make specific cabinet styles complement your existing kitchen layout and appliances. By the end, you’ll feel equipped to choose the perfect cabinet style for both form and function when it comes time to build or re-do your dream kitchen!
Flat or Slab Cabinets
Flat or slab cabinets have a flat door without any raised or recessed detailing. They offer a minimalist and sleek appearance, often seen in modern and contemporary kitchen designs.
Raised Panel Cabinets
Raised panel cabinets feature door and drawer fronts with a central recessed flat panel bordered by a raised, molded frame around the perimeter. This classic style has a formal, elegant look well-suited to traditional home decor.
Recessed Panel Cabinets
Recessed panel cabinets have door and drawer fronts consisting of a flat central panel that is edged with a lip or frame around the perimeter. This simple, clean style works well for classic kitchens and bathrooms with a timeless yet modern aesthetic.
Glass-Front Cabinets
Adding glass-front doors to cabinets can create an open and airy feel in the kitchen. They allow for the display of dishware or decorative items so you can easily find what you’re looking for inside your kitchen.
Beadboard Kitchen Cabinets
Popular country-style cabinets include beadboard cabinets. Beadboard cabinets feature panels made of wooden boards with evenly spaced, parallel indentations that create a distinctive pattern resembling beads on a string. The beadboard design gives cabinets a casual, cottage-style look that works well in country kitchens and casual interiors. Beadboard cabinet doors typically have a smooth frame and inset beadboard panel, rather than just a flat slab beadboard door.
Modern Cabinets
Modern cabinets are streamlined to give your space an orderly appeal. They feature a design that mimics mid-century furniture. The materials in modern cabinets can combine materials like glass, metal, wood, and laminates. Clean lines, lots of glass doors, slim profiles, and sleek hardware are tenents of modern cabinetry. They often make use of high-gloss and often white finishes for a light and bright aesthetic.
Farmhouse or Rustic Cabinets
Would you like to add a little farmhouse to your flair? Rustic cabinets will bring a bit of a county vibe. They feature different colors, wood styles, and materials. Off-white is commonly found in rustic-style kitchens and can be paired with a deeper color.
Country-style cabinets give a warm and comfortable natural appearance. They feature a unique design to give your cabinetry a signature look. The popular wood for this design is pine. It features visible knots and can dent easily.
Shaker Style Cabinets
The shaker is a distinct furniture style that emphasizes utility and functionality. It goes with any décor, with multiple variations in stains, wood, and paint colors.
Traditional Cabinets
Traditional cabinets are reminiscent of the not-so-distant past. They use molding, millwork, motifs, colors, and materials that evoke timeless sensibility. This style can bring in country, rustic, and eclectic influences – but remains firmly rooted in traditional, classic design.
Tuscan Cabinets
Tuscan cabinets evoke the tradition of the Italian countryside. They bring warmth and elegance to cooking. And because they are predominantly made of wood, the cabinets can be stained with rich brown colors to convey a sophisticated elegance. The cabinet doors can have wood accents like ornate hoods.
