23 Types of Kitchen Cabinets You Need to Know

Creating a colorful and visually appealing kitchen involves solving complex puzzles. You have to carefully choose the appropriate kitchen cabinets, faucets, lighting, and other decoration elements available to you. Of great concern are the kitchen cabinets because they are the focal point.

There are many types of kitchen cabinets you may choose from if you are in the market for a new unit. We will discuss some common types based on styles, materials, color, and solid wood. Keep reading to find out the details.

4 Most Popular Kitchen Cabinet Styles

There are four different cabinet styles to consider if you want to give your kitchen a facelift. These include:

Shaker Kitchen Cabinets

The kitchen cabinet style you will find in most homes is the shaker style. It’s the most common because of the simplicity in design and curb appeal. The cabinet consists of five flat panels: four pieces make the frame, while the other becomes the center panel. If you want a contemporary or a traditional kitchen, then shaker-style cabinets are the way to go.

Shaker kitchen cabinets are distinct from other styles with flat-paneled doors, rail frames, and sturdy all-wood construction. They are durable and resistant to scratching and dents because of the high-quality material used.

Modern Kitchen Cabinets

The modern style kitchen cabinet looks more minimalistic with a flat panel door than the traditional shaker style. The design mainly features more than two cabinetry finishes to add depth and zones. The modern kitchen cabinets are paired with state-of-the-art pieces of hardware to make them more attractive and classier.

When you are looking for a new set of modern-style kitchen cabinets, consider the finishes and color. Gray or white is mainly preferred, but you can choose what works for you best.

Traditional Kitchen Cabinets

Traditional kitchen cabinets are characterized by raised or recessed door panels. They also feature pronounced profiles and very appealing mo0ldings. If you get into any contemporary kitchen, you will likely see such cabinets, some of which might have decorative inserts such as metal or glass mesh.

Traditional kitchen cabinets are mainly made of stained wood. That makes the natural wood imperfections more pronounced.

Rustic Kitchen Cabinets

Rustic kitchen cabinets are mainly made using reclaimed lumber or wood from old structures such as barns. This style of cabinets can also be made from cedar, knotty pine, and hickory. These woods have the same characteristics; wide grains and less visible imperfections. They also have knots, all of which add to the rustic charm of cabinets.

Rustic-style kitchen cabinets may have recessed or flat door panels with many hands carving decorations. These cabinets also tend to take a warm and neutral color.

8 Common Materials for Kitchen Cabinets

Kitchen cabinets can also be classified depending on the material used. Under this category, we have six different kitchen cabinet types, which include the following:

Solid Plywood

There are many solid wood types to consider for your kitchen cabinets, but plywood is the best option to take. Solid plywood kitchen cabinets are sturdier and can withstand the enormous weight of the content. The manufacturing process involves gluing together many wood sheets to form a strong material used to make many furniture, not just kitchen cabinets.

Solid plywood kitchen cabinets are more resilient, easy to repair, and affordable. However, they may not be ideal if consistency is your primary factor. Also, thinner plywood may not be as sturdy as mentioned.

Particleboard

If you can’t use solid wood, particleboard gives you a cheaper alternative. The material is made from large wood fibers that are bound together and compressed. Particleboard is commonly used for cabinet boxes and shelves because it’s not strong.

Particleboard is very affordable, lightweight, durable, and easy to fit. However, it can’t be stained or painted because it’s usually covered by veneer or laminate. It can also sag if overfilled and susceptible to moisture.

Laminate

Laminates are boards made of wood particles sandwiched by wood veneers. The product results from combining resins and compressed papers, which are heated into a single solid material.

Laminates are easy to clean, affordable, impact-resistant, durable, and don’t require staining or painting. But if you need a different finish, you can’t get it with laminates. They can’t just be painted. So, you have to accept the limitation.

Melamine

Melamine is a popular material for making plates, and that’s what people are used to. However, melamine can be used for making kitchen cabinets. It’s an engineered product made by combining polymer resins with paper and then rolled into thin sheets. The melamine sheets are then glued to the particleboard.

Melamine is made using pressed wood, making it the most affordable material for making kitchen cabinets. It comes in different colors and finishes and is easy to clean. However, melamine is prone to dents and scratches, is challenging to repair, and limits the kitchen cabinet design to a square shape. Melamine can also sag over time.

MDF

Medium-density board (MDF) is also an engineered wood material from the finest wood fibers than particleboard. Comparing the two, MDF looks smoother and heavier. MDF is made by compressing the wood chips and particles into flat wood panels or boards. The result is a smooth-textured material that can’t be stained or painted because of the laminate or wood veneer covering it.

MDF is more durable compared to particleboard, easy to clean, and resistant to warping and moisture. However, it can sag and is not as strong as other alternatives.

PVC

PVC is famous as the best material for pipes and other plastic products. However, they are just as good for kitchen cabinets. PVC materials for kitchen cabinets can be hollow or foam. The hollow type is sturdier and heavier, while the foam type is light and affordable.

PVC kitchen cabinets are affordable, easy to clean and maintain, and available in many colors. However, they are not as durable as other options. They are only fit as short-term investments.

Metal

Metal is preferred for a modern or industrial-style kitchen cabinet, but they generally remain unpopular. Stainless steel kitchen cabinets are the most common because they are more durable and affordable. You can also choose metal for your cabinet doors while maintaining the wooden frames.

Stainless steel or metal kitchen cabinets don’t warp in high temperatures and very humid areas. They are also durable and stain-resistant. However, they are prone to dents and scratches and predominantly show fingerprints. Metal kitchen cabinets are also not suitable for traditional kitchen design.

Acrylic

Acrylic kitchen cabinets look luxurious with their glossy finish. You will enjoy their stunning appearance for a long time, but only if you clean and maintain them properly. That’s because fingerprints, dirt, and stains are more visible. Acrylic is also an expensive option.

5 Most Popular Color for Kitchen Cabinets

We can also classify kitchen cabinets depending on the colors. The appearance of your kitchen cabinets depends on the kitchen design, and there are up to five popular colors to choose from. You may consider the following:

Navy Blue Kitchen Cabinets

Navy blue kitchen cabinets are increasingly becoming popular and have been at the top for the past 2 years. Blue is considered a neutral color. But when used in kitchen cabinets, they quickly become the focal point. It’s a versatile color that can be easily dressed by simply changing décor and other complimenting elements.

Grey Shaker Kitchen Cabinets

Grey kitchen cabinets are the perfect choice for most modern kitchen designs. They don’t have to be necessarily shaker-style cabinets, but the grey color is the key. They don’t stain easily, keeping your kitchen looking attractive all year round. There are ready-to-install grey kitchen cabinets you can buy. Alternatively, you can ask for color customization.

White Shaker Kitchen Cabinets

White color is the favorite in high-end kitchen cabinets. They are considered classier and more luxurious than other color types. If you want a modern kitchen design, then you are better with white kitchen cabinets. The elegant white shaker kitchen cabinets are currently widely produced and the most available in the market. They provide seamless aesthetics that demand attention.

Two-Toned Kitchen Cabinets

Two-toned kitchen cabinets are mainly used to create a focal point. It involves having different colors for base cabinets and wall cabinets, and the combination you choose makes the difference. You can choose black and gold for a farmhouse kitchen design, black and white, powder blue and white, white and wood, or any other.

To achieve a perfect kitchen design with two-toned cabinets, you should strive for balance, use the second tone as an accent, and consider contrasting materials. Try white as a neutral color.

Black Kitchen Cabinets

Upgrading your kitchen with a set of black kitchen cabinets can immediately transform it into a modern kitchen. Designing kitchen spaces with black elements started a few years ago and has become a trendy obsession for modern designers. More and more homeowners are also going for dark interiors. There’s no better way of doing it than using black kitchen cabinets.

6 Best Wood Material for Kitchen Cabinets

If you prefer solid wood kitchen cabinets, then you will have many options to consider. We’ll highlight six types of wood kitchen cabinets, but there are more you can explore.

Oak Kitchen Cabinets

Oak is known for durability and strength. These materials are also readily available, making them less expensive. Oak kitchen cabinets have pronounced wood patterns that are suitable for a rustic-style kitchen. They are known for their high aesthetic appeal.

Walnut Kitchen Cabinets

Walnut has fine and smooth grains with different color finishes to choose from. The shades range from dark chocolate to reddish-brown or light yellow. Walnut kitchen cabinets are dense, durable, and strong enough to withstand dents and related problems. It also resists water better than birch or pine, though it’s not as strong as oak.

Mahogany Kitchen Cabinets

Mahogany kitchen cabinets are very durable and rot-resistant. The high strength of mahogany makes the perfect material for kitchen cabinets to be installed in heavy-use kitchens. They are resistant to regular wear and tear and are easy to maintain. Mahogany also has high visual appeal.

Birch Kitchen Cabinets

Birch is also fine-grained and long-lasting material for making kitchen cabinets. Such cabinetry is much darker than the ones made with cherry. When stained, birch kitchen cabinets can be as stunning as cherry. However, such kitchen cabinets require heavy maintenance involving staining to restore the color. It’s also more expensive than cherry.

Cherry Kitchen Cabinets

Cherry kitchen cabinets have enough strength to withstand impact. The wood comes in a reddish-brown shade that turns darker with time. If you want a contemporary kitchen, cherry becomes the best material for your cabinets.

Ash Kitchen Cabinets

Ash is famous for its smooth surface. They are easy to clean and cost-effective. However, ash kitchen cabinets are prone to rotting and susceptible to attack by beetles and fungus. That makes them less durable compared to other wood materials.

Conclusion

We have discussed different types of kitchen cabinets you can consider for your kitchen. If you are in the market for a new set, use this information to make a perfect choice. You can choose your kitchen cabinets based on the style, color, and material. Check all the possible options for a kitchen cabinet that will give your space a major facelift and the best return on your investment.