Kitchen cabinet door styles and types play a huge role in the final look and feel of any kitchen.
After all, apart from your countertops and appliances, the thing you will see the most are those cabinet doors.
So how do you know what style of cabinet door to choose if you want a more traditional look?
Or how do you choose your cabinet door type if you want a flush, modern look?
At iCabinetry, we offer a variety of different cabinet door types and styles that guarantees you’ll find the best fit for your kitchen style.
And in this guide, we will walk you through the different cabinet door types and styles to help you make the right choice for your perfect kitchen.
4 Cabinet Doors Styles
The 4 most popular cabinet door styles are shaker, slab, raised panel, and recessed panel doors.
Which door style you choose will depend on your personal style and the kitchen look you’re going for.
Shaker Cabinet Doors
Shaker cabinets are the most popular cabinets in the US, as they seem to always be on trend and fit modern and traditional style kitchens (and everything in between!).
Shaker cabinet doors have a flat center panel, square edges, and very minimal detailing.
Their unadorned simplicity makes them very popular and versatile for any style kitchen.
Slab Cabinet Doors
Slab doors are perfectly simple and modern. These doors have a completely flat panel with no detailing and without frames.
Slab doors are increasing in popularity because they offer a very contemporary look for modern style kitchens
Raised Panel Cabinet Doors
Raised Panel Cabinet Doors are the go-to choice for traditional style kitchens.
These doors are beautifully designed. Their carved detailing gives the illusion of depth on the cabinet face.
Unlike the simple design of slab and shaker cabinets, the center panel is carved out or raised.
The edges of the interior rim are grooved or available in other decorative options.
Recessed Panel Cabinet Doors
Recessed panel cabinet doors also fit traditional style kitchens, although they can also be found in other transitional kitchens as well.
As opposed to the raised panel door, the recessed cabinet door does not have a raised center panel.
The center panel is carved inward and may come in a variety of designs and styles (curved line, straight line, multiple lines, etc).
Technically, shaker cabinets are a type of recessed panel cabinet. However, shaker cabinets do not have any complicated adornments or carvings.
3 Cabinet Door Types
The type of cabinet door you choose is another styling element that can bring your preferred kitchen style to life.
You can choose between overlay and inset cabinet doors.
(Check out our post outlining the pros and cons of overlay and inset cabinets!)
To start, there are 2 types of overlay cabinet doors: partial and full overlay.
Partial Overlay Cabinet Door
Standard overlay doors (or partial overlay) partially cover the cabinet face frame when closed.
Because about 1” of the cabinet box is visible, there is no need for hardware in order to open the doors (unless you choose to have hardware, of course!).
This is because that one-inch gap gives you enough space to open the doors with your hands/fingers.
Partial overlays also cost less than the other 2 types of doors.
Full Overlay Cabinet Door
When a full overlay cabinet door is closed, the door covers most of the cabinet box frame.
In general, only about ¼” is left exposed, meaning that hardware is necessary to open these types of doors.
Full overlay doors provide the appearance of a flush finish for a streamlined look.
Inset Cabinet Door
As opposed to the 2 types of overlay doors, inset cabinet doors do not lay on top of the frame when closed.
Instead, these inset doors and drawers rest inside the cabinet box frame for a completely flush appearance.
Because the door is set into the cabinet frame, hardware is required to open inset drawers and doors.
It’s also important to note: inset cabinets are the most expensive of the three.
(But we can help with that!)
Choosing the Right Cabinet Door for Your Kitchen
Picking the right cabinet doors for your kitchen makes a huge difference in aesthetics, function, and cost.
First, consider your overall vision for your kitchen. There are different cabinet styles that look best with certain designs.
If you prefer a highly traditional look, then solid wood, Shaker-style cabinet doors may be your perfect fit. Partial overlay doors, where the door sits partially on top of the cabinet frame, is a common option for more classic spaces. However, you might also choose inset doors, where the door sits flush with the cabinet frame.
You could even choose glass-ready cabinet doors for an even more classic style that adds light and airiness to the room. Mullion doors, which have decorative frames over the glass inserts, suggest fine craftsmanship and elevated taste in vintage-inspired spaces.
If you’d like a more modern door for a contemporary kitchen, consider flat-panel doors. The flat surface is easy to maintain, while the clean lines create a Euro-inspired aesthetic. Frameless cabinets are a popular option for contemporary kitchen remodels. This type has the doors attached directly to the cabinet frame, which maximizes storage space.
Some homeowners choose to blend traditional and modern elements, which is called a transitional kitchen. You might choose Shaker-style doors with streamlined, minimalist hardware, or pair glass-cabinet doors on your uppers with a slab style on the base cabinets.
The right cabinet door style depends on your specific tastes. Consider viewing our inspiration gallery to see what other homeowners have done with our wide range of semi-custom cabinetry.
Popular Finishes and Materials
The finish and material you choose will significantly impact the style, durability, and maintenance needs of your cabinets.
Medium-density fiberboard (MDF) cabinet doors are moisture-resistant, durable, and cost-effective. Because of the smooth surface, they are an excellent choice for a painted finish.
Solid wood doors add warmth and natural charm to a kitchen. They are especially popular with more traditional styles, like Shaker doors. You can choose between a variety of wood species, like oak, maple, or cherry, and choose light staining to let the wood grain shine through.
Wood veneer offers a compromise between solid doors and affordability. This has a thin wood slice pasted atop the door’s frame. This enables you to enjoy the natural look of wood without the large cost.
Another option is glass-front doors, which are a popular upper cabinet option in smaller spaces. The glass makes the space feel brighter, which is ideal for smaller kitchens.
iCabinetry Direct offers a broad range of cabinet styles, many of which can be customized to suit your specific tastes. Contact us to receive personalized design advice for kitchens, laundries, dining spaces, and more.
Tips for Mixing Door Styles in One Kitchen
Mixing cabinet door styles can be an excellent way to boost visual appeal through contrast. To decide what types of cabinet doors should go where, consider what you would like your focus point to be. Whichever is the more ornate style should be placed at this focal center.
A common option is Shaker doors for upper cabinets and slab doors for the base cabinets. This works well if you have a lower ceiling and want to draw the eye up, creating more visual space. On the other hand, you might choose raised panel doors for the kitchen island and slab for all the perimeter cabinets, bringing attention to this center point.
If this contrast seems too much, you might consider choosing different finishes for different sets of cabinets. One common choice is using satin or high-gloss finishes for base cabinets and a matte finish for the uppers, as this visually grounds the space.
No matter what doors you select, always ensure that you use the same hardware for all the sets. This ensures visual cohesion and prevents the room from feeling too “busy.”
Custom Kitchen Cabinets Direct
At iCabinetry, you’ll find affordable custom kitchen cabinets, ranging from full and partial overlay to the most affordable custom inset cabinets available.
Our cabinetry is sold and sent directly to you, without a middleman (or the additional costs associated with that!).
If you’re curious about pricing or have questions about your specific kitchen project, reach out to us!
Fill out our contact form or give us a call at 877-685-2023. One of our team members is standing by, ready to help.
FAQs About Kitchen Cabinet Doors
Inset doors are the most durable, as the flush door helps to provide structural integrity. The hinges are protected from damage, which helps them last longer. However, these cabinets cost more and will require precise installation, or the doors will stick.
This choice depends on your overall budget and design preferences. Inset doors are beautiful, durable, and offer a built-in look. They’re a versatile design choice that can work well with traditional or contemporary layouts. However, they cost more than overlay cabinets and require precise installation.
Overlay cabinets are a popular stock option because they are easy to install and more forgiving of slight misalignments. Full overlay is becoming quite popular in modern design, as it gives a seamless appearance and more storage. On the other hand, the doors may be more prone to warping and sagging.
Absolutely, Shaker doors remain a gold standard in designs, from traditional to contemporary. The simple, clean lines add visual appeal without being overwhelming. Small design enhancements, like hardware choices, can completely change how they appear. For the highest amount of luxury, consider choosing inset Shaker cabinets.
Medium-density fiberboard (MDF) balances budget-consciousness with durability. These doors are moisture-resistant and, in some cases, stronger than wood, but they cost significantly less. The smooth surface also makes them ideal for high-gloss finishes. If you’d like something even stronger, consider plywood doors.
Slab is the easiest style to maintain, as it does not have any crevices or embellishments that will trap dust. Lightly wipe them with a soft, clean cloth on a regular basis. Quickly clean up spills, and consider using a gentle, non-abrasive cleaner, like a bit of dish soap mixed with warm water.
Regularly check the hinge alignment, tightening or loosening the screws as necessary to ensure the doors hang straight. You can also adjust the drawer slides if the drawers are rubbing or sticking. You may need to do this during seasonal temperature changes.
