Kitchen cabinets are an essential part of the room, so they come with their fair share of consideration when doing a kitchen remodel. All cabinets have the same basic elements: the box and the door. The problem is there are so many door styles from which to choose, it can give you a headache choosing the right one for your upgraded kitchen. Here are some popular door styles for kitchen cabinets to inspire you.
Shaker-style
The Shaker-style cabinet door is a classic because of its simple lines. This door style features four panels making up the frame of the door, and a solid insert. It takes its inspiration from the style of the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing, best known as the Shakers. This religious group believed in a simple lifestyle and made their furniture accordingly.
Today, you can usually find Shaker-style cabinet doors in oak, maple, cherry, and other natural wood finishes. The outer panels provide support for the insert, making it quite sturdy. They also have a 90-degree bevel to give the doors more depth. Some Shaker-style doors are ready for paint, although most people that choose this style prefer the natural wood look.
If your new kitchen tends to be along the traditional but simple style, this is the perfect door style for you.
Slab
Literally a slab of wood, the slab door style is perfectly flat and featureless, giving the kitchen a sleek, modern look. It can only go with frameless cabinets, so it was popular first in the European market.
Slab doors used to be solid wood, so it tends to be more expensive than traditional door styles. This is one reason it is not very popular. However, the advent of engineered wood has made it much more affordable.
The move towards modern and minimalist styles of kitchen has also contributed to making this door style much more popular with homeowners today, especially those living in smaller spaces. The lack of embellishments makes any space look clutter-free.
Glass inserts
This is primarily a Shaker-style door with glass replacing the solid wood insert. Cabinet manufacturers typically provide the frame, but not the glass, so you will have to purchase the glass separately. This gives you more freedom in choosing the type and style of glass you want, from plain to etched.
Many people choose glass insert doors for kitchen cabinets slated for display items, as it provides a good look of the interior of the cabinet without opening the door. It is also a popular choice for smaller and/or dark kitchens as it makes the room look bigger and brighter.
Single arch (cathedral style)
One of most popular door styles is the single arch or cathedral style. Usually solid wood or MDF bonded with thermofoil, it is distinctive for the rounded top shape of the insert. Natural or solid wood doors are more expensive and require a finish that may need retouching over time. The thermofoil-faced MDF doors are more affordable and never needs finishing or painting.
The single arch cabinet door style is often seen in rental properties because it is one of the more affordable styles. It is also a good choice for kitchen remodels on a small budget.
Double arch
Like the single arch, this solid wood cabinet door style features two arches, on the top and the bottom. It comes in natural wood or thermofoil finishes and provides the kitchen with more depth with its distinctive shadow profile.
You can choose this style over the single arch even if you are on a tight budget because it costs the same as a single arch door. This attractive door style goes well in a traditional and rustic kitchen design.
Beadboard on Shaker-style
A beadboard is simply wooden slats laid in a single row to form a surface. This cabinet door style takes the Shaker-style door and replaces the solid wood center panel with beadboard. Typically, available in solid or MDF wood material, you can get this finished or unfinished in case you want to paint it.
The beadboard cabinet door is a throwback to a time when solid panels were scarce, and homeowners used slats of wood as an alternative. As a result, the beadboard style goes very well with a rustic or country style of kitchen, and partners admirably with apron-style or farmhouse kitchen sinks.
If you are looking for an old-world look to your kitchen, this is a good style to choose.
Mullion-style
A mullion is a vertical slat often seen separating two pieces of glass in windows. When it comes to cabinet doors, the mullion style is much like an old-fashioned window. It is like a glass insert door, but with stiles.
The mullion-style door is a Shaker-style door with the usual four panels to form the frame, but with stiles instead of a center panel. The stiles serve as the support for the glass, which you add after. The glass is usually a single pane, and you place it at the back of the stiles. Aside from supporting the glass, it protects the homeowner somewhat in case the glass breaks, keeping the larger pieces inside the cabinet box.
The mullion-style cabinet door is a good fit for traditional and rustic kitchen designs.
Thermofoil
Thermofoil cabinet doors are popular because they are low maintenance and durable. They usually come in white and paint-ready, but they are also available in other vibrant colors. This includes a convincing wood finish that is admittedly hard to find.
Thermofoil cabinet doors are available in most styles, from Shaker to mullioned, so it is a good choice for any kitchen design.
Consult with professionals
Choosing the right cabinet door style for your kitchen remodel is not easy, so you might want to consult with a reputable cabinet supplier. Cabinet Land Kitchen and Beyond will work with you on this when you visit our showroom in Schaumburg, Illinois.
Once you make your choice, we offer a free estimate for any cabinet style you choose, so you get exactly what you expect from your purchase. We work only with the best cabinet brands at the best prices compared to our competitors such as Advance Cabinets and Handsome Cabinets.
Visit us today to see what we have to offer. We service Chicago land and have the expertise and resources to complete virtually any type of kitchen cabinets – ON TIME and ON BUDGET with top quality craftsmanship that will exceed your expectations.
