Remodeling your kitchen is a big investment— one that can leave you stuck between your favorite options. Choosing kitchen cabinets is a big decision for any homeowner, especially since the style, layout, and finish you choose will shape the look and functionality of your kitchen for years to come. To help make the process easier, we’ve put together a guide to the most popular types of kitchen cabinets, along with practical tips for choosing a style that fits your home, lifestyle, and long-term design goals.
Your options are also highly dependent on the construction method of your kitchen cabinets, making it a critical first step to consider.
Method of Construction For Your Kitchen Cabinets
The overall look of your kitchen heavily depends on the type of kitchen cabinet you choose. With options like stock, semi-stock, and custom available, it’s important to know about each one to determine whether it aligns with your budget and cabinet design. Here’s a closer look at each kitchen cabinet type:
Stock Kitchen Cabinets
Pre-manufactured in standard sizing, stock kitchen cabinets are readily available and can be easily purchased through stores or websites. These are a good option if you want a quick and easy installation process, or are looking to remodel your kitchen on a budget. Being on the more affordable end, stock kitchen cabinets can be delivered fully assembled or Ready to Assemble (RTA) for both DIY (Do it Yourself) or DIFM (Do it For Me) options.
Semi-Stock Kitchen Cabinets
Available in standard sizing with minimal modifications, this type of kitchen cabinet offers homeowners options for different finishes, storage options, and door styles. Semi-stock kitchen cabinets are an easy way to spruce up your kitchen with personal modifications, without the heavy-duty expense of specifically tailored cabinets. However, even minimal modifications will come at a price that is usually well above that of stock cabinets.
Custom Kitchen Cabinets
Entirely designed to suit your kitchen space, custom kitchen cabinets are tailored to meet your specific requirements when it comes to drawer configurations, functionality, theme, door style, and frame fit. This level of customization can often result in at a high pricing point, making a renovation project or new kitchen build much more expensive to complete.
With the main kitchen cabinet types out of the way, you can now move on to the type of style that better suits your vision.
Different Kitchen Cabinet Styles For Homeowners To Explore
Choosing the right kitchen cabinet style can be an exciting, thought-provoking, and stressful experience all at once. But that doesn’t have to take the fun out of this process, especially when you’ve got an array of styles to choose from. Whether it’s shaker-style cabinets, two-toned, or classic white, we’ve compiled a list of the most popular kitchen cabinet styles for you to choose from.
Option 1: Shaker Style Kitchen Cabinets
Shaker-style kitchen cabinets are a staple in kitchen design, reflected by their timeless, minimalist appeal that stands out for all the right reasons. Featuring a 5-piece door with a recessed center panel and square edges, shaker-style kitchen cabinets reflect simplicity and maximum functionality. Available in multiple colors, Riley & Higgs offers a range of shaker-style kitchen cabinets designed to fit every homeowner's vision.
Option 2: Raised Panel Kitchen Cabinets
Defined by their center panel that’s slightly elevated above recessed areas closest to the rails and stiles, raised panel kitchen cabinets offer a visually pleasing, timeless look. Having them in your kitchen adds a formal, sophisticated look that’s known to increase home value. Available in multiple colors, these cabinets can be constructed with an array of wood types, making this a timeless option for many homes.
Option 3: Distressed Kitchen Cabinets
Distressed kitchen cabinets are a go-to option for homeowners looking to bring a rustic, vintage touch to their cooking space. This style is named after their deliberate, rigorous production techniques (such as sanding, denting, or scraping) to make new cabinets look aged and weathered, adding warmth to any home.
Option 4: Slab Door Kitchen Cabinets
If you’re looking for a more contemporary, sleek option, slab door kitchen cabinets are the ideal option. These flat cabinets possess no intricate detailing, trims, or framing, which complements their sleek, modern appearance.
Beyond their seamless look, many homeowners prefer slab door kitchen cabinets for their exceptional ease in cleaning, enhanced durability, and cost-effectiveness.
Option 5: Two-Toned Kitchen Cabinets
If you have a specific color palette in mind, you can’t go wrong with two-toned kitchen cabinets. This option features two different colors, materials, or finishes that bring visual depth and contrast to give a personalized, designer vibe.You can choose to create that two-toned effect between your islands and cabinets, or between upper wall cabinets and base cabinets. This contrast of colors and finishes can be used to define kitchen zones and make smaller kitchen spaces more balanced.
With this cabinetry style, your kitchen is bound to feel more grounded and spacious. Many homeowners resort to a contrast by pairing light, white upper cabinets with dark, bold hues for an eye-catching look. If you’re stuck between which colors to choose from, exploring two-toned cabinet color ideas can be a good starting point to spark inspiration.
Option 6: Open Kitchen Cabinets
Open kitchen cabinets are a great way to make small kitchen areas feel spacious. With open shelves and doorless shelves, kitchens with this cabinetry style are perfect for showing exquisite antiques or plants that add life to your kitchen space.
Due to their minimalist design, open kitchen cabinets are on the more affordable end but require constant upkeep to achieve that clean look.
Option 7: Inset Kitchen Cabinets
A big fan-favorite among minimalists, inset kitchen cabinets bring a clean, pristine appearance for a sophisticated look. The doors and drawers are designed to sit inside the face-frame, instead of protruding from it, which gives off its crisp, smooth look.
Available in multiple finishes, homeowners can choose between a beaded look that adds decorative texture or a flush edge that offers a clean, smooth finish. Thanks to the meticulous spacing and expert craftsmanship required to properly install this style of cabinet, inset kitchen cabinets can be significantly more expensive due to extensive labor effort.
Option 8: Floor-to-Ceiling Kitchen Cabinets
Ideal for small kitchen spaces, floor-to-ceiling kitchen cabinets provide maximum storage options by extending from the floor to the ceiling. With this cabinetry style in your kitchen, you can organize electric appliances, utensils, canned food, and dry goods without any clutter.
This style is suitable for those who prefer a sleek, clean look that focuses on functionality and ample storage options. However, with the added height, reaching top storage spaces can be a challenge and usually requires the use of a step-stool or small ladder. This reality can make floor-to-ceiling cabinet designs a poor choice for those with limited mobility or poor balance.
Found Your Ideal Kitchen Cabinetry Style? Let's Get Started
If you’ve found your ideal kitchen cabinetry style, the next step involves purchasing your chosen cabinets. At Riley & Higgs, we offer a wide range of kitchen cabinets in different finishes and colors that align with your remodeling vision. And if you’re still unsure of your choice, we offer free design services that give you an idea of what your chosen cabinet style looks like in your kitchen space. With our personalized services and bespoke products, you can upgrade your kitchen space with confidence.