Popular types of kitchen cabinet

Installing new cabinetry can be a quick and easy way to update the overall tone of your kitchen. In addition to the practical considerations, namely storage, refreshing your cabinets is an opportunity to inject individuality into your kitchen. The finish, colour, style and choice of handle – or absence of handles – can bring the whole design together. 

When it comes to choosing the right cabinets, there are plenty of options available to you. And of course, you can always use a combination of types. Here’s what each of these can bring to your kitchen design.

Glass-front 

A showcase for your finest crockery, glass-front cabinets can also create the illusion of a larger kitchen. The absence of filled opaque doors adds visual depth and light. Glass-front cabinets aren’t always completely transparent either; frosted glass, for example, can add texture and further depth with its three dimensional appearance. 

Choosing a glass-front cabinet doesn’t mean that every wall cabinet needs to be glass; a single cabinet can act as a statement and may be more aesthetically pleasing than a wall covered in glass, depending on your space. 

Reflective glass panels pair well with a darker kitchen and serve as a simple way to increase the amount of light in the room. Additionally, you may install spotlights to the inside of the cabinet to further illuminate the area and your kitchen as a whole. Installing mirrors at the back of glass-front cabinets adds depth to your kitchen and is another opportunity to reflect light back to where it’s needed most.

Shaker-style

Shaker-style cabinets are a timeless choice and have been popular for decades. Their distinctive bordered design creates a rectangular inset in the centre of the door. However, they have a simplistic, minimalist appeal that allows them to be adapted to a wide range of kitchen designs. 

Tremendously versatile; their stripped-back design means that they look good in virtually any colour, so while they’re a popular style of cabinet, you can develop a truly unique kitchen by choosing the colours and combinations you desire. The inset also makes the cabinets seem smaller than they actually are, thus creating the illusion of a larger space. 

Unlike some other styles, Shaker-style kitchen cabinets work well with a variety of worktops. Combine shaker cabinets with a wooden worktop for a country-style twist or a stone-based worktop, such as granite, for a more modern, industrial atmosphere. 

Flat-front 

As minimalist and no-nonsense as it gets, flat-front cabinets have the cleanest look of any style of kitchen cabinet. One solid panel with a handle as its only irregularity – and even that’s optional. 

One of the benefits of flat-front is that they allow the other elements of your kitchen to take centre-stage. Worktops, wall designs, and even door handles stand out a lot more against the backdrop of these understated cabinets. 

Handles

Complete the overall visual and tactile design of your kitchen with handles or the absence thereof. Aside from the utensils, cabinet handles are usually the part of your kitchen that you handle the most. Therefore, it’s equally as important to consider how they feel and function as well as how they look. 

The last thing you want while you’re dealing with hot plates or oven trays is fiddly door handles that require a precision grip to open. Smaller, more dainty handles look great but it’s a good idea to consider their functionality. 

Plywood 

Plywood can add texture and warmth to a kitchen, adding to rustic urban designs. Its organic pattern is non-repeating, meaning that each section of your cabinetry is entirely unique. There are practical benefits to choosing plywood for your kitchen cabinets too. For one, it doesn’t warp or expand as other woods might. It’s also incredibly durable and easy to paint. 

If you’d like further inspiration for your dream kitchen, order a free brochure. Inside, our designers have collated the latest in kitchen design and home improvement; you’ll find plenty of ideas and tips to transform your kitchen.