Cabinets take center stage in any kitchen, and because of that, most remodels begin with one crucial choice: the style of kitchen cabinets. They take up most of the visual space, so the style you pick shapes everything else. Colors, layout, and even the overall feel of the room are all influenced by the cabinets you choose, including the cabinet frame, cabinet box, and cabinet doors. Because there’s no single “right” look, it’s helpful to get a sense of what’s available before you start meeting with contractors or browsing catalogs for stock cabinets or custom kitchen cabinets.
Remodeling your kitchen is an exciting project, and perhaps one that’s long overdue if you have worn-out cabinets or simply outdated ones. Here, we’ll outline the most popular cabinet styles for your remodel and how different cabinet door styles influence the final look.
Thinking About Remodeling Your Kitchen?
Everyone thinks about remodeling their kitchen at some point, because they crave better appliances or a more functional layout. If this sounds like you, you’re not alone. Many other homeowners share the same sentiment.
- Homeowners planning a kitchen remodel and trying to narrow down which cabinet style fits their space.
- Anyone updating an older kitchen and looking for ideas that blend function, durability, and a fresh, modern look.
- DIY-minded readers who want to understand cabinet options before meeting with contractors or browsing catalogs.
If you fall into any of these other categories, it’s time to take a look at the different styles of cabinets before you make a decision.
Kitchen Cabinet Designs for Kitchen Cabinets for Denver Homeowners
Figuring out your design style, along with the function your kitchen really needs, is the starting point for any remodel. Below are the cabinet options most Denver homeowners consider when planning a remodel, whether they prefer frameless cabinets, a farmhouse-style kitchen, or a more modern design.
Shaker Cabinets
Modern Shaker cabinets have been inspired by furniture made by the Shakers, a religious community (18th–19th century) known for building furniture that was simple, functional, and meticulously crafted. As such, Shaker cabinets, commonly found in all styles of homes, feature clean lines and a flat frame-and-panel design that avoids ornamentation. Your builder or designer will likely present a few different Shaker designs that work with most design aesthetics, from modern to farmhouse.
Flat-Panel (Slab) Cabinets
Modernists generally gravitate towards flat-panel kitchen cabinets. Their smooth, minimalist fronts with no framing are perfect for modern or contemporary kitchens. They entered the design world in the 1950s and are ideal for incorporating into a mid-century modern design. Flat panels don’t have handles per se, and usually are opened by finger-groove pulls on the side. Your builder or designers will present these as an option, especially if you’re leaning towards a modern design aesthetic.
Inset Cabinets
Inset cabinets offer a high-end, sophisticated look because the doors sit flush inside the frame. The design is inspired by traditional English built-in furniture, which early American cabinetmakers adopted. Back then, doors were crafted to sit inside the frame for stability and a tighter, more refined fit. Your builder or designer will present inset cabinets as an option if you’re looking for a higher-end look that harkens back to more English traditional design.
Full-Overlay Cabinets
Full-verlay cabinets are another nod to the modernist aesthetic. Doors cover almost the entire frame, giving a seamless, modern appearance, and the hinges are on the inside of the door. Moderists appreciate the sleek design and smooth finish, often pairing full-overlays with natural quartz countertops to complete the clean, modernist designs. Your builder or designer will likely present them as an option if you’re looking for an uncluttered, natural cabinet design.
Raised-Panel Cabinets
If you’re looking for a traditional-style cabinet, the raised-panel style is your best choice. Raised-panel cabinets have their roots in European furniture-making, particularly in 17th–and 18th-century England and France. American designers modified them, and soon after, they became a hallmark of early American colonial cabinetry. If your design aesthetic leans more towards the traditional side, your builder or designer will likely present raised-panel cabinets as an option.
Glass-Front Cabinets
Glass-front cabinets bring a sense of lightness to a kitchen. If you have beautiful places, bowls, and glasses, this is a way to display them as part of your overall kitchen design.
Collectors of vintage china, either high-end or everyday, like this feature because it adds a sense of warmth and appeal. Often used for upper cabinets, the glass-front will require some extra cleaning to keep the glass clear, and you’ll probably want to keep the plates and glasses tidy since nothing is hidden. Your builder or designer will likely present glass-front cabinets as an option if your aesthetic leans towards a traditional or farmhouse design.
Beadboard Cabinets
If you visit friends or family at their cottage on the ocean or lake, you’ve probably seen beadboard cabinets. With cottage-style vertical grooves, they are great for farmhouse or coastal homes. Today’s beadboard cabinets draw inspiration from 1800s rural English cottages that used vertical boards for practicality to cover horsehair plaster from getting damp in seaside homes. The design took off in American homes, and the vertical ‘beads’ are now a dead giveaway that you’re in a cottage. Your designer will likely show this style if you are actually remodeling for the cottage look.
Kitchen Cabinet Designers in Arvada and Littleton
Remodeling your kitchen is an exciting project, but there are numerous design decisions to finalize before you begin. One of the first is the style of kitchen cabinet you want. It’s definitely worth sitting down and taking the time to educate yourself on the different styles builders and designers present as options. If you are grounded in your overall design style for the remodel, whether it’s farmhouse, modern, or traditional, finding your style will help you narrow down the choice of cabinets.
The designers at Kitchen and Bath by Design in Arvada and Littleton are experts in kitchen remodeling. From cabinets to countertops to flooring and every detail in between, we’ve guided thousands of Denver-area homeowners through a satisfying and successful remodel.
If you’re thinking about remodeling your kitchen or simply replacing your cabinets, we’re here to help. Call us at (720) 571-8586 to speak with one of our designers or reach out online for more information about our services and materials.
Family-owned for 20+ years offering high-quality, in-house fabricated marble and granite countertops and offer a wide array of comprehensive full remodeling services tailored to meet your diverse renovation needs. Visit our showroom for full-service remodeling. Fully insured, bilingual, and committed to excellence.