Choosing kitchen cabinets can be a tricky part of your kitchen renovation. Each type of cabinet offers unique features and storage options. In this article, we’ll teach you all about shaker-style, raised panel, slab, and louvered kitchen cabinets, and more.
I spoke with Lance Stratton, President of Studio Stratton Inc., a California-based kitchen design company, about the key factors homeowners should consider when choosing a kitchen cabinet style.
He explained, “Homeowners should consider several factors when selecting cabinet styles. The first thing to consider is what you like! Spend some time paying attention to kitchens. Your friends and family, online sources, and local kitchen showrooms all have good ideas that you can glean from to discover what you love.”
Knowing the different types of cabinets and their differences will help you choose the best one for your kitchen.
Lance went on to say, “Consider the context. If you have a very modern home, you probably don’t want a Tuscan kitchen. I exaggerate to make a point. Your kitchen is the largest piece of furniture you will ever purchase, and it will set the style for your surrounding furnishings. It doesn’t need to match, but you want a coordinated and cohesive design.”
You can enhance your kitchen space’s functionality and look with the right cabinet, so let’s take a brief look at the different types of kitchen cabinets and their designs and styles before we go into detail about each type below.
| Cabinet Type | Description |
| Shaker Style | Simple design with a flat panel |
| Raised-Panel | Classic look with an elevated center panel |
| Slab | Smooth, flat surface with no frames |
| Beadboard | Vertical panels with evenly spaced beads |
| Inset | Doors and drawers fit inside the frame |
| Louvered | Doors with angled horizontal slats |
| Open Shelving | Shelves without doors for display and easy access |
1. Shaker-Style Kitchen Cabinets
Shaker-style cabinets are known for their simple and clean look. They have a rectangular shape with a smaller rectangle inside, forming a four-sided frame with a flat panel. These cabinets offer a lot of storage with adjustable shelves and deep drawers to help keep your kitchen neat and organized.
This type of cabinet works well in kitchens that need easy-to-clean surfaces, as its simple design lacks intricate molding that can trap dust. They come in various materials and colors, making these cabinets a versatile choice for any kitchen’s decor. This clean and timeless look fits well with traditional and modern kitchen styles.
2. Raised-Panel Kitchen Cabinets
Raised-panel kitchen cabinets feature an elevated center panel, which provides a classic, traditional look that complements any kitchen. The cabinet’s doors have a three-dimensional design that works well with various kitchen styles. In addition, these kitchen cabinets are easy to maintain.
Raised-panel kitchen cabinets work well with traditional and classic kitchen designs as they add style and detail. They look great in formal spaces and are built to withstand the demands of a busy kitchen, which makes them a durable and stylish choice for various home styles.
3. Slab Kitchen Cabinets
Slab kitchen cabinets, also called flat-front or panel-front cabinets, have a smooth and simple design with no frames or decorations. The doors are slightly recessed and feature a flat surface. The cabinet’s clean, minimalist look is ideal for modern and contemporary kitchens.
These cabinets are best suited for those who want an affordable and easy-to-maintain option. Their smooth, flat surfaces are easy to clean and ideal for maintaining kitchen hygiene. Their straightforward design makes them easy to customize, allowing homeowners to maximize storage space, especially in kitchens with limited floor space.
4. Beadboard Kitchen Cabinets
Beadboard cabinet doors feature vertical panels with evenly spaced beads and recessed lines. This kitchen cabinet features wood slats installed vertically at the center of the cabinet doors. Their detailed design brings a charming, rustic feel to classic and country-style kitchens.
This type of kitchen cabinet is best suited for those seeking a simple, versatile style that complements a range of kitchen designs, including farmhouse, rustic cottage, beach house chic, Tuscan, modern, and Scandinavian kitchens. Its rustic or antique look and budget-friendly pricing make it an ideal choice for creating a warm and inviting atmosphere in any of these styles.
5. Inset Kitchen Cabinets
Inset cabinets have doors and drawers that fit inside the frame, giving them a smooth and tidy look. Unlike other cabinets where the doors sit on top of the frame, these doors sit neatly inside, creating a clean and classy appearance with even spacing. This design gives your kitchen a simple and elegant finish.
This type of kitchen cabinet perfectly suits traditional kitchen styles. Because the design flushes the doors with the frame, it makes them more secure and protected when closed. However, inset kitchen cabinets require careful installation and are generally more labor-intensive, which makes them costly.
6. Louvered Kitchen Cabinets
Louvered kitchen cabinets feature doors with a frame made from four pieces that form the outer border. Instead of a solid center panel, these doors have horizontal wooden slats or louvers angled downward to create an overlapping look. The slats are evenly spaced to allow for airflow through the gaps.
This kitchen cabinet is best suited if you are looking to add a touch of mid-century charm to your kitchen. Louvered cabinets are popular if your kitchen has accent doors, offering a distinctive architectural style and practical ventilation. They help store items like potatoes, garlic, or onions, where airflow helps prevent high humidity and mold.
7. Open Shelving Kitchen Cabinets
Open-shelving kitchen cabinets offer a stylish way to display and store items to give your kitchen a spacious feel with minimal framing. They are perfect for showcasing decorative cookware or keeping frequently used pots, pans, and utensils easily accessible. This design turns your cabinets into a space for decoration and practical storage.
Open shelving works well for kitchen owners who enjoy organizing and styling their shelves. However, open shelving can lead to clutter if you struggle with organization. Additionally, open shelves require more frequent dusting and cleaning than closed cabinets.
Blending Kitchen Cabinet Style and Functionality
Choosing the right cabinet style is only part of the process. Lance Stratton emphasizes the importance of adapting cabinet designs to suit modern living.
He explains, “Typically, my designs harken to a particular style without actually being 100% true to it. ‘Craftsman’ is a good example. Full-tilt craftsman design requires considerable attention to intricate detailing.
“Moldings may appear simple at first glance, but they may actually be several pieces arranged thoughtfully with attention to scale. Surfaces may be inlaid with delicate patterns of dissimilar materials to create ‘arts and crafts’ motifs throughout the design.”
Lance continues, “The famous architects Charles and Henry Greene display this style in its fullest form in the remarkable ‘Gamble House’ and other work in and around Pasadena, California. Most of us can appreciate the level of work they did without really wanting to go that far in our own environments.
“We may select simple shaker style doors and use organic materials throughout that convey the ‘spirit’ of craftsman style. A ‘signature’ light fixture or art piece may be the best way to make a nod to a given style in our more modern homes,” says Lance.
Stratton suggests that incorporating simple shaker-style doors or organic materials can honor the spirit of a style without committing fully to its intricate detailing.
Stratton also encourages homeowners to approach kitchen design with an open mind, particularly regarding functionality. He shares, “Some years ago, I visited a family that was considering a remodel. They wanted to change the style, and that was their primary reason for calling on me.
“In the middle of our meeting, their young son of maybe 7 years came running through the kitchen to the refrigerator at the back of the space. On the way, he stepped on the dog’s tail, banged into his sister’s high chair, and opened the refrigerator door carelessly, dinging an adjacent cabinet. Then, juice box in hand, the process repeated itself on his way back out.”
Stratton adds, “The customer barely noticed what was happening because it was just life as they knew it. I won the job because I was the only designer they had spoken to who suggested they might want to relocate the refrigerator!”
This story highlights the importance of looking beyond kitchen cabinet styles and aesthetics to consider how a kitchen functions in daily life.
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Main Image Credit: Allison / Adobe Stock Free / License
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