Kitchen Cabinet Styles

Whether you're installing brand new kitchen cabinets or looking to refurbish existing ones, the range of available kitchen cabinet styles can seem overwhelming at first. Exploring the most common options and keeping a few helpful pointers in mind will help you choose the style that's right for your home.

The first decision you'll have to make when considering kitchen cabinet styles is whether you want your kitchen cabinets to match the overall home décor, take a slight departure, or make a radical right turn. A kitchen is its own space with its own uses, but most kitchens do reflect the overall design style of the home. A modernist masterpiece kitchen could be a bit of a shock to enter from an arts and crafts-style living room—but the only rule to abide by when it comes to home design is "make sure it feels right for you." Ultimately, the decision is yours when it comes to matching styles room to room.

There are several style options to consider for kitchen cabinets, but some of the most popular fall into three categories: modern, traditional and vintage.

Examples of modern cabinets are sleek, colorful, European-style sheet-glass and lacquered wood cabinets. This look can be achieved for less with laminate cabinetry.

If you're looking for a less edgy kitchen style, traditional cabinetry provides a homier, cozier aesthetic, with styles like Shaker, cathedral and arched cabinets, and raised or recessed panels.

Lastly, if you'd like to add some historical gravity to your kitchen design, vintage cabinet styles featuring decorative molding and beaded board will transport your kitchen to another time.

See also: Kitchen Remodeling Ideas, Options and Solutions