Five Top Styles of Kitchen Cabinets

Kitchen cabinets provide essential storage space for any kitchen, no matter the type of kitchen you have. The style of kitchen cabinet might vary, but the primary function is the same.

That said, choosing your kitchen cabinets should match your kitchen design, since cabinets are visually prominent. It has to look like it belongs to your kitchen, or, as in many cases, actually defines the look of your kitchen. Your choice of kitchen cabinet styles is an important one.

When considering the type of kitchen cabinets for your home, you should know some of the basic styles of cabinet doors. Here are five top styles of kitchen cabinets.

Shaker style

The Shaker-style of kitchen cabinets is very popular because it is simple yet functional. The plain face of it has origins in the Shaker period, where the furniture emphasized function rather than form. Because it is so simple, it is very versatile. It can work with any kitchen design, and a particular fit to the minimalist trend in kitchen design today.

There is a good probability that you already have Shaker cabinets in your own home, or homes of family and friends. It is easy to identify it in appearance. It is merely a set of four narrow panels of wood forming a rectangle holding the central panel. You will find Shaker-style kitchen cabinets in nearly all wood species, finishes, and colors. Among kitchen cabinets, the Shaker style is a definite classic, never looking outdated.

Flat style

A flat style kitchen cabinet is exactly what it sounds like flat. It is composed of a single panel of wood that comprises the cabinet front, and it has no embellishment at all. In many cases, it does not even have handles or pulls, and since the flat style usually goes over a frameless cabinet box, you will not even see the hinges.

Some people find the style too plain, but it actually has a sleek and elegant look. It is also versatile, fitting any kitchen style, but the seamless look is particularly appropriate for modern kitchens.

Flat style kitchen cabinets come in all types of wood, including solid wood, and some can be quite pricey despite being so plain. These are also available in laminates such as Thermofoil, and in a wide range of colors. 

Beadboard style

Beadboard style cabinets are popular in some types of kitchen, particularly those with an older cottage, country, or rustic theme. A beadboard is a collection of thin slats of wood bonded together to form a solid front, and seams are an essential feature in this style.

 Today, beadboard style cabinets are not necessarily actual beadboard, but solid wood mimicking the look. This is for practical reasons, as constructing beadboard would be more labor intensive, and cleaning between the slats can be a problem. Kitchen cabinets in the beadboard style have a front of solid wood or wood-alternates and cut or formed with grooves. They are not as popular as Shaker or flat style kitchen cabinets, but they have an old-fashioned look that appeals to many people.

Glass front style

Glass front style kitchen cabinets are one of the most expensive, and often combined with solid front kitchen cabinets. Glass front cabinets are primarily for display pieces, although it is also a good choice for smaller kitchens as it gives the illusion of space.

A glass front kitchen cabinet is primarily a frame of glass, and the glass can be clear, frosted, etched, mullioned, or any combination of these. The purpose of glass front kitchen cabinets is to store items that you want people to see, so you will not usually keep pots, pans, or foodstuff in them. You should have solid-front cabinets for those.

If you do have all glass front kitchen cabinets, the contents will have to be always clean, organized, and attractive. For people that delight in keeping their entire kitchen neat and orderly at all times, this is not a problem. For most homeowners, however, this is much too much trouble. In most cases, you have glass front cabinets for wall cabinets, and solid front cabinets for base cabinets.

Louver style

Louver style kitchen cabinets is an attractive option, although not from a maintenance point of view. Like a louver window, louver style kitchen cabinet fronts comprise of narrow slats of wood arranged horizontally at a slight angle, leaving some space for air and light to get through. Visually, it gives some illusion of space and width, and some find it a sophisticated design.

The slats allow air to circulate, so it is a good choice for kitchens in a humid environment. You will want to keep flatware, food, plates, glasses in louver style kitchen cabinets.

However, the slats also present a problem for maintenance, because they provide a larger surface area in which dirt, dust, and grime can accumulate. You have to get into each slat to clean it, which can be a bit of a chore.

They are also more expensive than most other cabinet styles, so keep that in mind before choosing lover style kitchen cabinets. That said, lover style kitchen cabinets are a good choice if you have a traditional kitchen.

Bonus: Inset cabinets

Inset kitchen cabinets are not exactly a style, but a technique. It refers to fitting the cabinet door – this can Shaker, flat, louver, beadboard, glass, or other variants – precisely within the cabinet box. Inset cabinets are expensive because they require considerable skill to construct. A few millimeters off in the measurements and the cabinet doors will stick or show gaps between it and the cabinet frame. This type of kitchen cabinet looks well in rustic and country style kitchens because it has exposed hinges.

Conclusion

You can find these five basic kitchen cabinet styles in many colors and finishes, and whichever you choose will represent a considerable outlay. You want to make sure you choose the right ones that will not only look great in your kitchen, but last for a long time. Cabinets City is your best resource for this in Chicagoland. We service cities such as Chicago, Schaumburg, Arlington Heights, Des Plaines, Hoffman Estate, Elk Grove Village, and surrounding areas.

We carry some of the best brands in the country, from RTA to custom cabinets, and at the best prices compared to Cabinets To Go and Advance Cabinets. These include Schrock, Fabuwood, J and K, Forevermark, and Wolf Cabinets, each of which come with manufacturer warranties. We always deliver on time, so you will not have to worry about keeping your schedule to stay in budget.

We can advise you on the best cabinets and finishes for your kitchen. Give us a call for a free consultation and quote, or visit our showroom in Mt. Prospect, Illinois.