12 Kitchen Cabinet Styles to Consider for Your Next Remodel

Framed vs. Frameless Cabinets

There are two options for cabinet construction: framed and frameless. Framed cabinets have an added face frame at the front of the cabinet box where hinges and doors attach. Framed cabinets give you the choice of full overlay, partial overlay, or inset doors. With overlay styles, the doors rest on top of the cabinet frame. With inset cabinets (like the ones shown here), the doors are set into the cabinet frame so they sit flush with it when closed. Inset offers a classic look but can be more costly (and provide a little less storage) because they require more work to ensure a perfect door/frame fit.

Frameless cabinets, which started in Europe, but have gained popularity in the U.S., consist of full overlay doors that attach directly to the cabinet box via hinges on the interior of the cabinet. Frameless cabinets can look more contemporary and have a bit more space inside—great if you're looking to extend your kitchen storage.

Within those two cabinet construction categories, there are several common door styles to choose from.

Shaker Style Cabinets

With clean, classic lines, Shaker is the most popular cabinet door style because it can work beautifully whether your aesthetic is modern, transitional, or traditional. Also called a "five-piece," a Shaker door is essentially a flat panel with a frame consisting of rails (horizontal pieces) and stiles (vertical pieces).

Its simplicity means that it can complement a wide variety of kitchen designs depending on how you customize the cabinet and what other kitchen design elements you pair with it. "Shaker-style cabinets can be made a little more modern or more traditional with the addition of different types of edge detailing inside the frame," says Harrison.

The width of the frame can also change the whole vibe of the cabinet. "I've done Shaker-style doors with a ½-inch to ¾-inch frame for a really modern look and 2 ¼-inch to 2 ½-inch for a more transitional style," says Harrison. "The thicker and more ornate the frame, the more traditional a look you get." Here, you'll see Shaker style cabinet doors in both wood and white, paired with flat panel drawer fronts.

While Shaker-style cabinets are loved for their versatility and timeless appeal, they can be a pain to keep clean since dust and grime can collect on the inside of the frame. Still, if you're OK with the upkeep, this kitchen chameleon will enhance almost any style and look chic for a long time.

Slab Cabinet Doors

Think of a kitchen with a sleek, modern aesthetic and chances are you picture slab cabinet doors. Also known as flat panel cabinets, this style consists of a single, smooth piece of wood, plywood, or MDF. Flat panels are available in a variety of finishes and veneers from glossy white, gray, or colored lacquer to natural wood tones. The unadorned cabinet front makes a clean backdrop for statement hardware or looks sophisticated with no visible hardware.

Flat panel cabinets are often associated with a stark, minimalist vibe, but that's not their only look. "This minimalist-style cabinet can be warmed with different colors or wood finishes," says Harrison. "For example, a wood like black walnut has light and dark characteristics that add warmth and interest." And despite their high-end look, flat panel cabinets don't have to bust your budget. "A modern flat-front cabinet door can be very cost-effective," says Harrison. "Wood can be expensive, but there are excellent laminates—at a fraction of the cost—that look as good on flat panel cabinets as the real thing."

Bonus: With no detail or crevices to attract dust or cooking grease, flat panel cabinets are easier to keep clean than other cabinet styles.

Traditional Cabinet Doors

Best known for their warmth and timeless appeal, traditional-style cabinets can create an elegant, yet homey look. If you love a more formal aesthetic and hope to incorporate furniture-inspired details such as decorative legs and corbels into your space, traditional cabinets can be a great choice.

Typically, traditional cabinets feature raised rather than flat center panels, and tend to stick to a warmer color palette, often wood tones. Glazes and antique finishes are options as well. Unlike the more simple, squared Shaker-style cabinet, traditional cabinetry often features arches, curved details, or other embellishments. "If you're looking for a light and airy feel, traditional cabinets may not be the way to go," says Harrison.

Beadboard Cabinets

If charming cottage or modern farmhouse is the feeling you want to evoke in your new kitchen, then consider beadboard kitchen cabinets. "Styled after traditional beadboard that was used on walls, these cabinets can fit in a home that's modern or traditional," says Harrison.

Another plus: "They are moderately priced as they are overlay cabinet doors that are similar in construction to modern flat-front doors, but with grooved panels at the front. Complement this look with an aged brass cup pull for the full cottage effect," she says. Beadboard cabinets can be stained or painted. White beadboard cabinets, like the ones shown here from Pottery Barn, are common but far from your only option.

Pro tip: "I suggest doing painted beadboard cabinets in a color other than white," says Harrison. "Try emerald green or navy, as white beadboard can be a bit tricky to keep clean with all of the little grooves in it."

Glass-Front Cabinets

Scroll through designers' Instagram accounts and you're likely to see lots of picture-perfect kitchens featuring glass-front cabinets. Glass fronts can be a great way to break up a run of solid-door cabinets and to display a collection of pretty dishes, glasses, or decorative objects. "Glass-front cabinets can dress up your kitchen and are very nice adjacent to a window," notes Harrison. "The reflected light makes the space seem larger and brighter."

However, glass-front cabinets are not for everyone. Keeping your dishes stacked perfectly not a priority? Then you probably want to pass on glass doors. If you want the pretty detail and expansive effect of glass without the pressure, Harrison suggests including some mirrored cabinets in your kitchen design instead.

"They also bring lightness and brightness to the space while hiding any mess," she says. Another option: Use a couple of glass (or mirrored) cabinets to define one particular area of the kitchen—ideally a less frequently used one—such as a display area or butler's pantry. You'll get the stylish detail you love while keeping your everyday items safely hidden behind solid doors.

Antique Glass-Front Cabinets

Antique glass-fronts are a super chic variation of regular glass-fronts, sporting a vintage, foggy look. These eye-catching cabinets from Lily's Vintage Finds are much more unique than regular glass front cabinets.

“I have been using antique glass in both client projects and in my own home,” says Jewel Marlowe, founder of Jewel Marlowe Interiors, “This upgrade adds instant drama to a space by reflecting light around the room. If applied to a cabinet front, it would make your kitchen feel bigger. Plus, unlike normal glass front cabinets, the mirror hides the contents behind. The amount of antiquing can be customized to suit your style.”

Plus, antique glass is much better at hiding fingerprints, so your cabinets won’t need as much cleaning.

Floating Cabinets

While floating cabinets are most popular in the bathroom, they can look great in the kitchen, too, especially if you want to create the illusion of more space. As the name suggests, floating cabinets look as though they are suspended without any support or attachments, and without touching the floor. Of course, you will need a great contractor to achieve this look. These cabinets jive best with a modern kitchen, but can also serve as a pop of avant-garde in a rustic or traditional kitchen.

Floating shelves also exist, which do not have cabinet doors or structures but share the same unsupported look. These, too, look very modern, but will not provide as much storage space nor weight capacity. Plus, the doors alleviate the need to create a display within your storage, which is more practical.

Craftsman Style Cabinets

Craftsman style cabinets emerged in the 1990’s as part of the Craftsman design movement. This era celebrated the handiwork of the artisan with attention to detail and structural elements. The overall design optimizes simple, straight lines with small embellishments on knobs, joinery, and moldings that elevate the classic look.

Framed cabinetry is essential, though the inset can be flat or raised and many modifications are possible, such as a beaded panel or cathedral framing, as shown above. For the material, consider woods with strong grains, such as oak, cherry, or maple. These cabinets look great in a traditional or rustic style kitchen.

Handle-free Cabinets

Handle-free cabinets take slab-style to a whole new level of modern. A throwback to the 60s and 70s, these cabinets have a space behind the drawer or door where you can grip and open them easily. Another variation is a push-in cabinet, which only requires a slight push to open. This style can be super practical, especially for small kitchens where it is difficult to avoid running into handles or snagging clothing.

On the other hand, dust will likely accumulate in the handle space, making the cabinets a bit harder to clean than their traditional counterparts. Also, if you’re someone who’s constantly rushing in the mornings, you may want to consider regular cabinets since their handles are easier to open when you’re in a hurry.

Louvered Cabinets

Louvered cabinets are a great way to add a bit of depth and detail to your kitchen's design. Any louvered cabinets will make your kitchen look a bit more spacious while adding an unconventional touch, which can pair well with a more traditional, rustic, or even a modern kitchen.

“Louvered cabinets are on the rise in popularity. This style incorporates horizontal wood slats to give a shutter-blind look. At the traditional wider-slat scale, these shutter-faced cabinets can be a classy, yet understated upgrade to a traditional kitchen,” says Jewel. She explains, “They are a great choice if a client is looking for a custom, yet homey and livable feel. They also look lovely in a beach home when painted white. If a client is looking for a more modern feel, I am seeing a more modern version with more narrow slats.”

These cabinets are most commonly made out of wood, such as pine. Some louvered cabinets are functional, allowing you to adjust the louvers (slats) to control the amount of ventilation, while others are purely aesthetic. You can also find cabinets with glass louvers, which make for a stylish, retro look. Plus, louvered doors have been around since the middle ages, so you can count on them not going out of style any time soon.

Open Cabinets

Open cabinets are cabinets with no doors, rather than shelves. This style can be a great addition to any kitchen because it shows off all the beautiful kitchenware and glasses that you have accumulated over the years. Because it retains the essential structure of a cabinet, it can hold much more weight than a shelf.

Unlike regular cabinets, open cabinets are furnished to match the exterior. It makes for a spacious look while making things easy to reach. Of course, this also means they can be more prone to collecting dust and being knocked down.