Cabinet door styles can completely change the look and feel of your kitchen. That is because cabinets are more than just a useful way to store your cooking utensils – they are also a focal point of the kitchen.
The right cabinet door style should be in complete harmony with the design of the kitchen. If you’re unsure about how to choose, this article has some useful ideas that can help you settle for a suitable door style for your kitchen cabinets.
Flat
Flat-panel kitchen cabinet doors are great when you don’t want to spend a fortune on renovations. Most of the time, they are pretty simple, yet can fit most modern or contemporary kitchens. The shape is in a minimalist style, paired with hard lines for detail.
Flat-panel cabinet doors can be either made from wood or laminate.
“Many flat doors come in decorative laminate or wood. Laminate tends to be more budget-friendly and offers a greater variety of colors and sheens,” says Shane Inman from Houzz.
Stainless Steel
Did you know that you can find stainless steel kitchen cabinet doors? They are not that common in people’s homes, but they are starting to take over kitchen designs. More often than not, they are used in catering departments or restaurants. In a house, they can bring a look and feel of luxury.
They can also be strong and durable, which is another plus.
However, print marks can easily be left on them, which means that they require constant maintenance. Besides, they can be very expensive, so they won’t fit everyone’s budget.
Distressed
Distressed-looking kitchen cabinets are a good way to achieve a more traditional style for your cooking space. To reach the antique look, these cabinet doors usually have their corners rubbed off alongside other techniques.
“If you’ve always dreamed of having an antique-style kitchen, then you’ll love the distressed-looking cabinets available from most manufacturers. Choose any door style and opt to have the corners rubbed off or have other distressing techniques done for that age-old feeling,” advises Shane Inman on Houzz.
The only downside with such methods is that you’ll need a bigger budget. Any distressing technique means additional charges for you, which would be pretty overwhelming if you’re low on cash.
“ll this extra work will cost you, though; there’s usually a 15 to 20 percent upcharge for a tradesperson to actually destroy your brand-new doors,” continues Shane Inman.
Glass
People opt for glass doors for their cabinets for different reasons. Some do it because they want to display their favorite kitchenware, while others simply do it to give the impression of a larger space.
With glass kitchens, you have a few options. There are frosted glass and clear glass doors, which are usually used in several smaller windows within the door’s frame or a single-framed panel.
They can truly make a good impression in your kitchen, especially if you add interior lights on the top of your cabinet. This makes the overall design of the cabinets more beautiful, and you’ll feel at peace whenever you’re cooking or having dinner.
Shaker
Shaker cabinet doors are found in many kitchens today. They are pretty simple and can help you achieve many looks, whether you want something traditional or contemporary. What makes them great is that they can come in different paint colors, wood types, hardware, and wood stains.
“Shaker cabinetry gets its name from the distinctive Shaker furniture style, which uses simple, clean lines and emphasizes utility,” says Shane Inman from Houzz.com. “This classic style can work with a variety of budgets, depending on the wood used. Some manufacturers can even replace the center door panel with a more cost-effective material. Using a natural finish rather than a painted one could save you up to 20 percent on your purchase, too.”
Final Thoughts
Different kitchen cabinet door styles can meet different purposes and will also come with various pros and cons. If you want something more affordable, you can go for flat cabinet doors, which are simple but cute. Distressed cabinet doors are ideal when you want something more antique-looking and don’t mind paying extra for distressing techniques. But for something more contemporary or modern-looking, you can go for shaker or stainless-steel cabinet doors. Lastly, glass cabinet doors are amazing when you want to open up the kitchen a little bit and show off your new kitchenware.