Understanding the difference between traditional and modern cabinets ensures that you get the perfect fit for your lifestyle, budget, and aesthetic preferences. Whether you want a highly contemporary, classic, or transitional kitchen design, iCabinetry Direct is a trusted source of high-quality cabinetry to suit any decor. Today, we’ll explore the benefits of these styles and help you choose the right one for your unique needs.
Why Cabinetry Style Is Important
Picking the right custom cabinets enhances functionality and ensures visual cohesion. As such, the wrong choice can make your kitchen design seem slightly off. For example, traditional kitchen cabinets may be beautiful, but they would look out of place if you have a more modern aesthetic.
Considering the overall aesthetic of your kitchen ensures a seamless look, and it can also boost resale value by meeting both the visual and practical needs of buyers.
The Most Popular Cabinetry Styles
There are two distinct styles of cabinetry: traditional cabinets and modern styles. While both have their benefits, they suit different home designs.
Traditional kitchen design has a perfect blend of timeless elegance and homey warmth. On the other hand, modern kitchen designs cater to minimalist sensibilities and sleek, straight lines.
Now that we understand the different audiences these choices appeal to, let’s explore them in further depth.
Overview of Traditional Cabinetry
Traditional kitchen cabinets are known for their timeless design and quality craftsmanship. Elegant flourishes like decorative mouldings, hand-carved geometric forms, and natural materials like white oak transform these cabinets into highly functional art pieces.
One of the most popular choices is the Shaker cabinet, with features such as simple carved lines and a recessed panel.
However, you have other options as well. Beadboard cabinets have vertical grooves that strike a balance between intricate moldings and flat surfaces. You could also consider raised-panel cabinets, which have decorative moldings that give a timeless charm.
This style works beautifully with farmhouse, classic, and transitional kitchen styles. By choosing high-quality materials and a trusted supplier like iCabinetry Direct, you can ensure that your kitchen style will stay gorgeous for decades.
Overview of Modern Cabinetry
Modern cabinetry fits perfectly into contemporary kitchen designs thanks to its clean lines, minimal ornamentation, and simple hardware. They are made of high-quality, durable materials, including solid wood, metal, and glass.
One of the most popular options is the slab-style door, which does not have any crown molding; it is a simple, flat panel. This makes it easy to clean, as you only need to wipe a soft cloth across the surface. A lack of heavy ornamentation can make the entire kitchen feel like an open space, which is especially helpful in tight layouts that need a clean, airy feel.
Many homeowners choose a neutral color palette with a matte finish for a soft, naturalistic touch. However, high gloss is another popular design that makes a bold statement. Contrasting colors and high-efficiency storage options are also hallmarks of modern cabinet styles.
Differences Between Traditional and Modern Cabinetry
The difference between these two cabinetry styles comes down to aesthetics and functionality. Traditional cabinets have decorative flourishes that look great in classic designs. Modern cabinetry prioritizes clean lines, simple designs, and streamlined cabinet hardware.
While any of these cabinets can be made in a range of materials, traditional cabinets tend toward solid wood, while modern cabinets are made with engineered materials like MDF, laminate, or Thermafoil.
To better understand the differences between traditional vs. modern kitchen cabinets, our experts have provided a simple comparison table that can guide your decision.
| Traditional Cabinets | Modern Cabinets | |
| Design Principles | Warm, classic, timeless, rustic | Sharp, sleek, streamlined, cutting-edge |
| Crown Molding | Ornate carvings, like Shaker-style doors | Few ornaments, like slab doors |
| Materials | Focus on natural materials like wood | Range of material options, including veneer, laminate, and MDF |
| Finishes | Wood staining or satin gloss | Wood staining, matte finish, high gloss |
| Kitchen Design | Farmhouse, rustic, Georgian, mock Tudor | Scandinavian, Euro-style, industrial, contemporary |
| Hardware | Ornate, often with materials like oiled bronze or pewter | Streamlined, often in materials like brushed nickel or stainless steel |
How To Choose the Right Cabinetry Style?
Choosing the best cabinetry style for your kitchen can be challenging, especially if you have a transitional design and aren’t sure which way you would like to lean. However, we have suggestions for how to simplify your process.
- Assess Your Layout: Open-concept layouts tend toward modern cabinets, as traditional cabinets have decorative flourishes that could be overwhelming in a large space. Smaller, galley-style layouts can look warm and cozy with more traditional options.
- Look at Existing Elements: If you’re not doing a full kitchen renovation, take design cues from the remaining design elements. For example, if you have glossy laminate flooring, modern matte-finish cabinets would balance things out.
- Ensure Overall Cohesion: Review the design elements in the other rooms of your home, like a formal dining room. If you don’t intend to remodel these spaces, ensure that your new kitchen cabinets will seamlessly blend with this area.
- Consider Resale Value: Kitchen cabinets can significantly impact your home’s value. If you choose traditional kitchen cabinets in an open-plan home, it may create a mismatch that buyers will reject.
- Review Your Lighting Options: Traditional cabinets may make a poorly lit room look overwhelming or cluttered, while modern, streamlined styles open up the space. If your kitchen has minimal natural light, consider adding task lighting in key areas.
The experts at iCabinetry Direct are always happy to help guide you to the right decision based on your unique design tastes and lifestyle. Contact us to discuss your needs and receive detailed feedback on your options.
Tips for Styling Traditional Cabinets
To use traditional elements to their maximum effect, consider complementary backsplash colors and a harmonizing flooring material, such as tile. Stone kitchen counters, like quartz, can create a functional but timeless kitchen. Soft, warm lighting enhances the rustic feel and showcases natural wood cabinets in their best light.
Additionally, consider using small touches, such as family heirlooms or vintage decor, to add personality without overwhelming the space.
Tips for Styling Modern Cabinets
The latest trends in contemporary kitchen design include built-in lighting, which helps you find what you need while improving functionality. Floating shelves are chic and helpful, especially for showcasing your favorite glassware or small decor items.
Consider pairing matte finishes with metallic accents to create high contrast without overwhelming the space. Sleek, streamlined hardware in brushed nickel or matte black adds a touch of class and improves the room’s function.
Combining Traditional and Modern Elements for a Transitional Look
Transitional kitchens bridge the gap between traditional design and more modern elements to create a timeless elegance. One popular way to do this is to pair traditional custom cabinets, such as Shaker doors, with minimalistic, modern handles. On the other hand, you can pair solid wood slab doors with ornate pulls in a satin nickel to strike a perfect balance between these two design traditions. At iCabinetry Direct, we understand that everyone’s personal style is different, which is why we have a range of designs to meet all needs. Speak to one of our design experts to craft the perfect kitchen that seamlessly blends old and new.
FAQs About Traditional vs. Modern Kitchen Cabinets
Traditional cabinets typically have a more ornate style, with decorative details. They are often made with more natural materials, like wood or veneer, and use intricate hardware. In contrast, modern cabinets have a more streamlined look that prioritizes simplicity and clean lines. They may incorporate materials like glass, metal, or Thermafoil and use simple, minimalist hardware.
Yes, this is called a transitional design and is very popular, especially when homeowners decide to remodel older kitchens. In many cases, this involves mixing components from the two design traditions, such as using Shaker cabinet doors with contemporary hardware. On the other hand, homeowners may choose to have slab doors with intricate hardware to provide a bridge between classic and contemporary styles.
Modern cabinets tend to be more affordable to install for a few reasons. Firstly, they are often manufactured from modern engineered materials, like MDF or plywood, which are lighter than solid wood. They require less labor to produce due to the lack of carvings or other decorations, which means they are more affordable.
The simpler construction and standardized sizes mean that they are easier to put into place, as there are fewer moldings or other additional components to install.
Modern cabinetry is designed to be low-maintenance, especially if you choose modern materials like MDF, Thermafoil, or laminate. These materials do not need to be polished or oiled like wood and are moisture-resistant. They can also tolerate higher humidity, so you will not need to use a moisture meter or dehumidifier.
The lack of carvings means there are fewer grooves to trap dust, so you can simply wipe them down with a soft cloth and keep them looking good as new.
However, it’s still important to ensure that the hinges and other hardware are in good condition. Check them regularly and adjust as needed, especially around seasonal humidity changes.
High-quality cabinets from any design tradition can add significant resale value to your home. However, certain styles may be considered dated by buyers, like raised-panel or beadboard doors. Shaker doors have remained popular for decades and are a solid choice for any home, regardless of whether you lean toward classic or contemporary.
High-quality slab doors are also very popular, especially as they are a versatile choice that can be refreshed with new hardware as needed.
In terms of door construction, partial overlay doors do not have as high a resale value as they are associated with stock cabinets and apartments. Inset doors provide a custom, built-in look that is very popular with buyers. Full-overlay doors are another great choice because they have a seamless appearance.
Our design experts can discuss which cabinets will have the highest resale value based on your home’s overall aesthetic and age.
