How to Choose Cabinets: Part 1 Style

Cabinets Shown: Waypoint, 650S in Painted Linen & Maple Espresso

uncover the best cabinet choice for your project

Kitchen and bath remodel projects are exciting! They can also get stressful and confusing when you are unfamiliar with the different options available. We at PLUSH would like to help you accomplish your home remodel goals by empowering you with the knowledge you need to make the best choices for your project.

Part 1: Style

One of the first things people look at when choosing cabinets is style. Looking at pictures in magazines and on the internet can help you pin down what you are drawn to. Knowing the style lingo can help you to describe your dream cabinet to your kitchen or bath designer. It can also help you to fully understand the information you get from your designer or other sources.

Cabinet Styles

Frameless or European Cabinets:

In this style the cabinet door is the face of the cabinet. The door attaches directly to the cabinet box. Hinges are not visible when the doors are closed. Door pulls, knobs, or push to open latches are required to open these cabinets. It is especially important to have a sturdy box construction since there is no front framing to help stabilize the cabinet.

Framed Cabinets:

There are three subcategories of framed cabinets. Full overlay, standard overlay, and inset.

Full Overlay:

Full overlay is one of the most popular choices in cabinetry today. The door of the cabinet covers the majority of the frame leaving approximately 1/4” of the frame visible with the doors closed. This provides a sleek and stylish look. Knobs, pulls, or push to open latches are essential for easy opening of these doors and drawers.

Standard Overlay:

Standard overlay is a traditional style cabinet with a little over an inch of frame showing between doors and drawers. This style often allows you to open doors or drawers without knobs, pulls, or push to open latches.

Inset

An inset style cabinet is where the door and face frame are flush with each other. The face of the doors and drawers sit inside the face frame of the cabinet.

Door Styles

There are many variations on styles of doors. Knowing the basic style names will get you started.

Shaker Doors

Also known as flat panel doors or recessed panel doors. This style is one of the most popular designs right now. Small variations in this style can make a big difference. Shown to the right is a classic shaker door and drawer next to a shaker door with a slab drawer and a more decorative frame profile.

Slab Doors

The slab door style is a single solid piece. This style gives a very sleek and modern look. Slab style drawers are often used in combination with a shaker or raised panel door to help keep the design clean and sleek.

Raised Panel Doors

This style features a raised center panel that sits flush with the frame of the cabinet door. This style tends to have more detailing and contours in the frame and center panel. This allows for a more elegant or traditional look.

Decorative Doors

Several different styles and variations of decorative doors are available. Glass front, bead board, and mullion doors are some examples. These doors are often used as accents.

Molding & Decorative Accessories

One last consideration to style is if you are going to want to include any moldings, trim, or accessories in your design. The majority of kitchen designs require at minimum a crown molding. This can range from simple to ornate, but it really brings the design together. Other options include decorative feet or legs, stove hoods, corbels, or valances.

Shown: Waypoint 2322