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Though fun and exciting, a kitchen renovation is bound to be time-consuming and pricey, so you’ll want results that you’ll love right now and later down the road. That may mean choosing classic cabinets.
Cabinets shouldn’t make you wonder, “What were we thinking!?” when you grab your coffee mug each morning. In your research stage, as you peruse ornate millwork, unique textures, and bold colors, take a breath and consider the options. The right cabinet style can transform your kitchen into an attractive and highly functional space.
Choosing the Right Cabinet Style for Your Kitchen
When selecting a cabinet style for your kitchen renovation, consider the following factors:
- Maintenance requirements and practicality for your lifestyle
- The overall style you want to achieve
- The potential impact on your home’s resale value
- Your budget and long-term investment goals
- Your home’s architectural style
By carefully weighing these considerations, you can choose a cabinet style that looks great, functions well for your specific needs, and enhances your home’s value. The right cabinets can make your kitchen both beautiful and practical.
Classic Kitchen Cabinet Styles
With one of these timeless-not-trendy cabinet styles, you’ll be less apt to wince when you enter your kitchen—and feel more secure about your home’s resale value should you someday choose to put it on the market.
Shaker Cabinets: Old-Style Simplicity
Shaker cabinets, rooted in the design philosophy of 1800s Shaker communities, continue to be a popular choice for modern kitchens. These cabinets embody simplicity and functionality, featuring clean lines and a minimalist look that complements various decor styles. A shaker kitchen cabinet typically comprises all wood and features a five-piece rail frame and panel construction with recessed doors.
This no-frills front suits a variety of countertop materials, from concrete for an industrial vibe to wood for cottage flavor. Metal cup pulls and bar pulls are popular choices, but since the hardware is so easy to switch out, feel free to express yourself with something more striking, like glass knobs or a gold finish.
Cost: Check out ready-to-assemble shaker cabinets at The Home Depot for about $200.
Flat Front: Major Minimalist
Flat-front cabinets, also known as slab-door cabinets, are sleek and modern. They feature a single, unadorned panel as the door front, creating a clean and streamlined look. Flat-front cabinets are available in wood, plywood, MDF, and even metal.
Their simplicity makes them an ideal canvas for showcasing unique hardware, with bar pulls or tab pulls being popular modern choices. Flat-front cabinets’ versatility ensures they can seamlessly fit into various kitchen designs.
Flat fronts are also ideal for handle-free push-release doors, but this look may be a bit too austere to be considered classic. Because there’s no millwork involved, slab doors tend to be very affordable, but of course, the cost will depend on the quality of the material and the finish.
Cost: Check out fully assembled flat front cabinets at The Home Depot for under $350.
Traditional: Tried and True
Traditional cabinets remain one of the most popular styles, offering a timeless appeal that suits a wide range of home designs. Like Shaker cabinets, traditional cabinets feature a rectangular groove on the door face, but a raised center panel instead of a recessed one. They’re a good choice for retaining a period feel in older homes (e.g., colonial, Tudor, Victorian).
Traditional cabinets work well with stone countertops—particularly soapstone and marble—and detailed hardware, such as drop pulls or knobs with decorative back plates that lend a sophisticated “furniture” feel.
Cost: Traditional cabinets are often pricier due to their heaviness and millwork, but The Home Depot has raised-panel base cabinets for just over $230.
Beadboard: Downhome Detailing
Beadboard cabinets, also known as wainscots, are an excellent choice for those seeking an inviting, casual, country-inspired kitchen aesthetic. This style features vertical slats with a tongue-and-groove construction, resulting in a textured, detailed look that isn’t overly ornate.
One of the advantages of beadboard cabinets is their versatility. They’re available in various materials and finishes, and you can tailor the width of the slats to suit your taste. For hardware, rustic black iron or classic cup pulls with an oil-rubbed bronze finish are popular. The wide range of options allows for personalization to match any decor.
While beadboard cabinets can add character to your kitchen, the grooves between slats can accumulate dirt and grime over time. Regular cleaning and maintenance are necessary to keep these cabinets looking their best. However, we think that the upkeep they require is a small price to pay for their quality and appearance.
Cost: Prices for beadboard cabinets vary widely (solid wood typically costs more than milled MDF), but budget-conscious homeowners can upgrade existing cabinets by adding beadboard sheets.
Glass Front: Simply Sparkling
Glass-front cabinets are a bright and airy alternative to solid cabinet doors. They allow you to display decorative items or fine china without worrying about accidental crashes. These cabinets can feature solid glass panes or, more commonly, glass set within frames called mullions. The transparency can make the kitchen feel more open and spacious.
You can purchase glass-front cabinets with clear glass or opt for something a bit different, such as frosted or seeded glass, to add visual interest or provide some privacy.
Cost: While glass-front cabinets are often more expensive than their solid counterparts, you can combine them with opaque doors to create a balanced and visually appealing kitchen design. When used judiciously, the added cost of glass-front cabinets can be a worthwhile investment in your kitchen’s overall aesthetic.
Our Conclusion
Whether you opt for the simplicity of Shaker cabinets, the sleekness of flat-front designs, or the charm of beadboard, each cabinet style offers unique benefits. When making your decision, consider your home’s architecture, your personal taste, and long-term practicality. With careful planning, your new cabinets can improve your home’s appearance, functionality, and resale value.
