When it comes to kitchen cabinetry, the options seem endless. Not only do you have to decide on shape, size and color, but then you have to make choices regarding door types and styles. It’s fun to think about design, but at the same time it can be overwhelming. We recommend utilizing a kitchen designer who is trained in helping clients navigate the vast selection. Also, there are cabinet types and door styles. If you’re renovating your kitchen or building a home, you’ll have to make a decision on each.
Recent stats indicate the price of new cabinets for an average kitchen can run anywhere from $2,000 to $26,000 with most projects ranging somewhere between $4,000 and $13,000 depending on type of cabinetry (custom, semi-custom or ready-made) and the material the cabinets are made of.
Cabinet Door Types
Full-Overlay: Full overlay cabinet doors and drawer fronts almost completely cover the cabinet face, revealing as little as 1/4″ to 1/2″ of frame between doors. This creates a fluid look and minimizes visible gaps between each cabinet door. The look offers a contemporary style. A downside is that full overlay cabinets can be pricier because they use more material. .This style is typically used in newer homes or custom-built homes.
Half-Overlay: With the half-overlay style, the door only partially covers the cabinet face frame, leaving large gaps in between cabinet doors, usually 1” or 2” on each side. This was the standard for many years but these days, this type of cabinet is typically used for lower-end construction such as apartments.
Inset: The inset style offers a very different look than the overlay style. This look has been around for centuries and is often associated with shaker or craftsman style cabinetry. Inset cabinet doors are set into the cabinet frame and fit flush with the face of the cabinet when they are closed. This style offers a smooth, clean appearance but comes at a higher cost.
Frameless: As you can probably tell from the name, these types of cabinets have no frame and are the European style of cabinetry. The doors are attached to the sides of the cabinet box for a modern, sleek look. Additionally, since there is not frame, frameless cabinets rely on a thicker box for strength and stability.
Cabinet Door Styles
Once you decide on the type of cabinet door, then you have to decide on the door style. There are a number of choices when it comes to styles. These include shaker style, raised panel, slab doors, open frame and cathedral or arched raised panels. Below is a little information about each style.
Shaker: Shaker cabinets are typically the most popular style. They are characterized by a five-piece door with a recessed center panel. Many shaker cabinets are clean and simple while others have more decorative detailing on the edges. Regarding drawer fronts, slab fronts are often selected for modern design while five-piece drawer fronts are popular for a transitional design.
Raised Panel: With raised panel doors, the door is elevated higher than the frame, which offers a richer, more traditional look. This type of door works well with wood grains because they highlight the natural beauty of the wood. Regarding the detail, it can be arched or curved. Like the shaker style, these are very popular and are featured in a lot of kitchens.
Slab Door: Slab cabinets can be flat-panel doors that don’t offer any contours to make the door look recessed or raised. They are simply flat. This makes them easier to clean and less expensive than other styles. The modern, contemporary look of slab cabinets is very popular with modern kitchens.
Mullion: Mullion cabinets are beautiful and very popular in high-end kitchens. Thai style offers dividing doors that separate glass panes in a door, such as those found in window panes. The mullion bars are often used in glass front cabinets.
Cabinets make up a bulk of any kitchen so it’s no wonder so much thought and decision making goes into deciding which cabinets will be selected. As the homeowner, you’ll have to decide on cabinet type and door style. Braemar designers are skilled at helping clients select the perfect cabinet type and style for their home. Contact us today if you’re ready to get started on your dream kitchen.
