Popular Kitchen Cabinet Door Styles: Cabinet Door Types and Styles for Modern Kitchen Designs
When planning a kitchen remodel, one of the most important decisions is choosing the right cabinet doors. There are many different styles of cabinet doors to choose from, and the perfect style for your kitchen depends on your personal preferences and the overall design of your kitchen. Here is a guide to some of the most popular kitchen cabinet door styles to help you make the best choice for your kitchen.
List of Cabinet Door Types
- Full Overlay
- Partial Overlay
- Inset Door
List of Popular Cabinet Door Styles
- Raised Panel Doors
- Recessed Panel Doors
- Shaker Style Cabinet Doors
- Slab Cabinet Doors
- Mullion Doors / Glass Cabinet Doors
- Beadboard Doors
- Louvered Doors
- Open Frame Doors
Cabinet Door Types
Cabinet doors come in three main types: full overlay, partial overlay, and inset.
Full Overlay
Full overlay cabinet doors are doors or drawer fronts that cover the entire opening of the cabinet. With full overlay, the doors sit tightly against the edge and create a smooth profile, becoming the cabinet face. This gives the cabinet a clean, finished look. Overlay doors are attached to the cabinet frame with hinges that are mounted on the inside of the door. The hinges are not visible from the outside of the door. Full overlay doors provide more access to the inside of the cabinet than standard doors.
Full overlay doors are also featured in frameless cabinets. Frameless cabinets are the latest trend in kitchen design. These cabinets feature full overlay cabinet doors, which means that the door covers the entire opening of the cabinet. This gives the kitchen a clean, modern look.
Partial Overlay
A partial overlay door is a type of door that only partially covers the face of the cabinet to where the frame is visible. These doors typically have a small lip that extends beyond the opening of the cabinet, which allows for the door to be mounted on the cabinet. Partial overlay doors are commonly used in kitchen applications where there is a need for additional storage space or where the door needs to be able to close flush with the cabinets.
Inset Cabinet Doors
Inset cabinet doors are those that sit within the frame of the cabinet rather than outside of it. This gives the cabinets a cleaner look, as there is no lip or edge around the door. Inset doors may be slightly more difficult to install than traditional doors, but the results are worth it.
Looking for more popular cabinet ideas? Check out our article on trending kitchen cabinets!
Cabinet Styles - Popular Door Styles
Cabinet doors come in a variety of styles, each with its own distinct look. Some popular styles include Shaker, Louvered, and Flat panel. But which style is right for your kitchen? Here are some different styles to consider when choosing cabinet doors and drawer fronts for your kitchen cabinet units.
Raised Panel Doors
Raised panel cabinet doors are a type of door that features a decorative raised panel in the center. The raised panel is typically made of wood but can also be made of other materials, such as metals or plastics. The raised panel cabinet door is a popular choice for many homeowners because it provides a classic look that can complement any style of home.
Recessed Panel Doors
Recessed panel cabinet doors are those where the center panel is set back from the surrounding frame. This can be done as a design element for aesthetic reasons, to create a more pronounced shadow line, or to allow the use of thicker materials for the center panel. Recessed panel doors can also be used to create a raised panel look by using a thinner material for the center panel and mounting it proud of the surrounding cabinet box.
Shaker Cabinet Door
Shaker cabinet doors feature simple, clean lines, lack ornate details or embellishments, and adhere to transitional style. The doors typically have recessed panels and may be constructed with either raised or flush panels. The Shaker style is often associated with furniture that is functional and utilitarian yet also has a refined and elegant aesthetic.
This style of door is often used in kitchens and bathrooms, as it provides a sleek and unobtrusive look. Shaker doors typically have a five-piece construction, with the frame made from either solid wood or MDF. The door panels are usually made from a variety of materials, including glass, wood, or metal.
Mullion Doors / Glass Cabinet Doors
Mullion cabinet doors are a type of door typically used in kitchen cabinets. The door is composed of a frame with vertical and horizontal divisions, or "mullions." The door may be solid wood or have glass panels set within the frame. Mullion cabinet doors can add architectural interest to a kitchen and can be used in both traditional and contemporary designs.
Beadboard
Beadboard cabinet doors are a popular choice for many homeowners because they offer a classic, traditional look. They can be made from a variety of materials, but the most common type is made from wood. Beadboard doors typically have a raised-panel design with a series of horizontal or vertical grooves that create a "beaded" effect. Beadboard cabinet doors are typically used in country-style or cottage-style kitchens, as they provide a warm and inviting look for this kitchen style.
Louvered
Louvered cabinets are characterized by their horizontal slats, or "louvers." These slats are typically made of wood but can also be made of plastic or metal. Louvered cabinets are typically used in kitchens and bathrooms, as they provide good ventilation and allow for easy access to stored items.
When thinking about remodeling your kitchen, one of the most important things to consider is how the elements in your kitchen come together.
Slab Cabinet Doors
Slab cabinet doors are a type of cabinet door that is made from a single piece of material. The material is typically hardwood or a synthetic material. The door is then cut to size and finished with a veneer or laminate. Slab cabinet doors are often used in modern or contemporary kitchen designs. Because slab cabinet doors have no raised or recessed panels, they are very easy to clean and maintain.
Open Frame Doors
Open frame cabinet doors are typically used in kitchen applications where there is a need for quick and easy access to stored items. The open frame design allows for maximum visibility and accessibility to the contents of the cabinet, while the doors themselves provide a measure of protection from dust and debris. In some cases, open frame cabinet doors may also be used in bathrooms or other areas where moisture is present, as the open design prevents the accumulation of mold and mildew.
Hardware is an important aspect to consider when thinking about your cabinetry!
