20 Types of Kitchen Cabinets Door Styles 

While kitchen cabinets are all about functionality, kitchen cabinet doors have more to do satisfying the design aesthetics of your kitchen decor.

The kitchen cabinets are the center of attention in your kitchen, hence making sure that the style of kitchen cabinet doors goes well with your, your home’s and your kitchen’s personality is of utmost importance. 

Remodeling or revamping your kitchen requires endless decision-making processes, out of which one is choosing the right kitchen cabinet door style. These cabinet doors come in a variety of textures, designs, and materials.  But styling them perfectly which compliments your creative vision is relevant since they are here to stay for long. 

Here I break it down to you the different styles available which will help you decide better: 

Shaker Style

• It is the most popular design which oozes simplicity. It is clean and clutter-free and gives sheer elegance.  
• It is a five-piece design- one piece of timber as backing with 4 smaller slats at the borders which make up a frame. 
• It is the hottest design currently – the most popular design as  it seamlessly fits anywhere 
• Not overly fancy and maintain its simple minimal design. 
• Built with inset.
  
• Looks good with all different kinds of wood like oak, cherry or maple or just painted with the hues of white color kitchen cabinets.
• Highly functional – great utility.
• Have a high panel door with a rail frame.
• Classic yet casual look.
  
• The outer frame gives more strength to the perimeter of the door.
• Cost-effective. It can work with varied types of budgets. If you go for a natural finish, it saves your cost up to 20%.
• Can go with all kinds of kitchen types – modern, traditional or transitional.

Glass

• Kitchen cabinet doors with glass present the classiest design.
  
• They are expensive as it provides the luxury in terms of its appeal and can be more costly since you have to invest in high-quality glass.
• If your appliances and cutlery needs a little show off because you own fancy china, elegant glassware and ceramic go for glass door cabinets to flaunt your possessions.
• In the case of small kitchen spaces, kitchen cabinets doors with glass add more depth to your kitchen making it expansive.
• It can be a little hard to maintain since you have to keep everything neat and clean. 
• It makes it easier to locate the items.
• In case it becomes clutter, you can opt for frosted or colored glass. 
• Kitchen cabinets door glass are best suited for houses in the Hamptons or countryside because they need a lot of maintenance.
• It illuminates your kitchen ambiance.

 Mission Kitchen

• This style of kitchen cabinet doors has many interpretations.
  
• These are generally adopted to give a domestic feel and have warm and quiet design appeal. 
• The doors are made of angular shape and have a flat panel door.
• It has clean lines and contemporary styling.
  
• Gives a timeless appeal.

Traditional 

• This particular door style works on making maximum features visible. 
• It works well with whites, creams or different hues of wood texture.
  
• It works with raised panel boards or bead-board designs.
  
• They are popular among people who are not too much into geometrical clean-cut lines.

Inset

• They are not very common and cost a little more than the normal full access doors. Also because they require custom joinery, extra construction technique, and bespoke fitting, the cost goes a little extra.
• They have exposed hinges and two hinges per door also add up to your cost.
  
• The design technique is intricate where the doors are constructed to fit the flush. The measurements are done precisely so that even when the wood expands or contracts, it opens and closes easily.
• They give away the smoother appearance.
  
• Less storage capacity since the door sits inside the frame giving less space.
• They are truly a timeless design because they are trendy for all seasons and generations. Therefore sometimes investing in it for a longer period and classier appeal, some might actually think of going this way.

Louvered 

• These are horizontal wood slats that give away a distinctive architectural appeal. It is often found on furniture and windows.
• These cabinet doors have spaces between each slat therefore, they are best used for cabinetry which requires ventilation. For instance: near the radiator or house electronics. Also, they keep your dishes and items dry and cool preventing any kind of foul smell.
• They have a great design appeal but comes at a good price.
• They have the most sought after a design which makes it look spacious. Since horizontal lines are associated with more space. 
• They make up for a decorative style.
  

Slab or Flat Panel

• One flat panel of wood makes the entire door.
  
• This one is generally covered with veneer and is constructed with particleboard.
• They have a simple design and are low maintenance and can be easily cleaned because they don’t have any nooks, corners or crannies.
• They are an inexpensive option since they don’t require much labor and need less material. 
• It’s hard lines and minimalistic design go well in contemporary homes and give away modern flair appeal.
•  People generally go for the lamination option in the flat panels. It provides the elegant sheen to the material. 
• In simple terms, they are elegant and functional and go well with those who aren’t too loud in design.

Single or Double Arch  

• It is also known as the cathedral style.
  
• It has a grooved rectangular-shaped door made on the door with the single arch on the top. 
• It provides a great shadow effect because of the grooves which give an attractive and deep profile.
•  Another option in this style is having a double arch, one at top and one at the bottom. 
• It is generally found in rented apartments or can be adopted in budget-constrained homes.
  
• Generally, wood is used in this style of the door since it gives a higher value.  
• This particular door style would be difficult to maintain and clean. 
• It gives a busy look of the kitchen.

Raised Panel

• In this, the center panel is raised with a profile and contour. 
• It one of the most common and popular door styles liked by people.
  
• It offers quite an intricate detailing in the door and goes well with traditional as well as transitional kitchen designs.
• They are an old design which was popular in the 80s and 90s.
• It showcases the caved detailing giving a depth to the design.
  
• They come in various options for hardware finish. 
• The craftsmanship needs to be excellent in this particular door style.
  
• They can be on the higher-priced side since they are not available on any other material than hardwood.

Recessed 

• It is a door panel that is slightly depressed in the center panel.
  
• It gives a sleek and clean profile in this door style and has thinner wood.
  
• Recessed door panels can be incorporated in different styles – wood, glass or metals.
  
• The center panel in this type of door is made from an alternative material because it needs to be thinner than the rest of the door. 
• They add an element of elegance because of the beveled trim that is added in this style.
• They are simple, straightforward design style which gives away the feeling of warmth and beauty in traditional and transitional kitchens. 

Heritage Style 

• This type of door is characterized by the raised panel but with a lot more intricate detailing of the woodwork.
  
• These are known as the ornate cousin of Shaker-style door.
• They work best in big kitchen areas where the detailing can be more visible.
• They can look cluttered in the small space.
  
• It borrows the traditional style of the past and makes it a lasting style design.
  
• The mitered molded frame is the common design element which gives a comfortable and a classic look.

Sliding Door 

• The sliding door cabinet not just add the element of style in kitchens but also are very functional in terms of storage.
  
• These are useful as they give more space.
  
• They work really well in the compact kitchens and you can give it a retro theme.
  
• If you are opting for this style, it would need some planning but it will give your kitchen a clean and sleek look.
  

Beadboard  

• Known for its classic paneling, beadboard cabinet doors are more like old-school design.
  
• The beadboard paneling is present at the center panel.
• In initial times, this design was used to decorate the walls and furniture, which is why these cabinets get people nostalgic of the simpler times.
• They give away a charming identity to your kitchen and are mostly found in traditionally designed kitchens.
  
• It can require a little more work in terms of cleaning and dusting them.
  
• These types of doors are best suited for the country homes and are the adds a  decorative element.

Thermofoil  

• These are made with medium density fibreboard with plastic coating.
• They are quite durable in nature since they are sealed with intense heat where they are baked together.
  
• They are a cost-effective option for homeowners who are looking for a viable solution.
• They generally come in limited solid colors and wood imitations.
• One of the disadvantages of this door style is that it can fade away or turn yellow over time. In quality standards, it is average because of the chemicals used in its production.
  

Distressed or Rustic 

• In recent years, this type has become popular among homeowners who are into vintage designs.
  
• These have the non-tarnished look of the cabinet doors giving it a rustic appeal to the kitchen.
• They work well in cottages or holiday homes or cabins.
• They give an antique-styled look to your kitchen and takes you down the memory lane of good old times.
• They can cost a little more for you. Can increase your cost of remodeling to 15-20%.

Tongue and Groove 

• Also called v-groove cabinets, they are kind of related to beadboard design style but don’t contain the outlining border.
  
• This type of cabinet works well with minimalistic design aesthetics.
• They add design and texture without looking cluttered.
• They suit well in industrial or coastal kitchens.
• They look really stylish with neutral shades, but can also go for bold color choice.

Mullion frame

• It is the accent cabinet door that is used as a decorative element in styling glass cabinets.
• It is horizontal or vertical bars/moldings which divide the open frame into sections.
  
• It can be used in different door styles- glass, louver, aluminum, etc but is normally accepted with glass front.
•   It adds a decorative element and typically matches the main door.
• They are typically made of wood and used majorly in upper cabinets where you can display your prized possessions of cookware and crockery. They can also be made of leaded glass.
• They have a striking architectural feature.
  

Contemporary

• It is known for its sleek sophistication.
  
• It features minimal ornamentations and flat surfaces.
  
• It uses simple hardware on the cabinets making it look clean and non-fuzzy.
  
• Generally have tall cabinets with no moldings.
  
•  These can be crafted from solid wood, veneer, concrete, plastic or even metal.
  

Craftsman

• It is characterized by straight lines, minimal ornamentation and great quality construction.
• This was originated in the 1800s as mass production of overly decorative furniture.
• This style was adopted in kitchen cabinet doors giving it a natural and warm appeal.
  
• They are made of heavy wood like cherry, oak, maple and is kept in its wood state for a classy look.
  

Custom 

• The last but not the least, custom kitchen cabinet door style is for all those who have gone through the entire list of styles and are unable to make up the mind.
• In custom options, you can mix and match and make your own design showcasing your artistic abilities.
• Your kitchen is your visual identity, therefore customizing it according to your needs and liking is all on you.
• You can inject your taste into the existing design styles and can work on some new design altogether.
  

In order to choose the right style for your kitchen cabinet door, you need to look for the style statement of your kitchen. Your kitchen could be modern, contemporary or traditionally designed and therefore choosing the right style for the cabinet door becomes even more important. 

Here are some other things to factor while making the best decision before choosing the right door style, you need to know: 

• Your budget 
• The material you want to choose 
• Your functionality 
• And your ease to maintain and keep them clean 

After putting thought into these factors, we are sure you will be able to make a great consideration in choosing the best cabinet door design style.  

Author Bio:

Walton is an eminent blogger and a homemaker who has been writing on home decor and interior’s functionality for quite some years now.

He has been responsible for formulating and carrying out an online-offline campaign for well-recognized home decor companies, explaining the installation guides and latest trends and fashion in the setting up homes, that assist the other homeowners and remodelers make revamping decisions.

The particular blog is written in order to help our small kitchen home owners on how to make the most of the small space with the perfect kitchen cabinets. I hope that this would help them make stylish and functional changes.