Kitchens are one of the most critical areas of your home from the perspective of decor as well as functionality. Good kitchen design can create a space where you feel comfortable and excited to do your chores and it can pull the whole look of your home together.
One of the central aspects of kitchen design is the kitchen cabinet. Kitchen cabinets are not only the most important feature for functionality but they are also the most prominent thing anyone will see when they look at your kitchen.
Kitchen cabinet doors can be a great canvas to set your kitchen design’s aesthetic, mood and style. You can experiment with shapes, textures and colors along with efficiency and functionality.
However, it can be daunting to decide which kind of kitchen cabinet door to use for your kitchen and you might be getting lost in all the design jargon out there. We’ve put together this easy and simple list of ten types of kitchen cabinet doors to help you decide what kind of kitchen cabinet door is the best choice for your kitchen.
Shaker Cabinet Door
Shaker cabinet doors get their name from the 18th-century religious group originating in Manchester. The community settled across New England and became known for the shaker-style furniture they created. This style of furniture is known for its simplicity, durability and lack of any ornate details.
Shaker-style cabinet doors are some of the most popular and versatile styles out there. They are characterized by a flat central panel with square edges and little to no detailing. Due to their simplicity, they can be adapted to any aesthetic and style. Shaker-style cabinet doors are available in different colors and styles to fit various budget ranges.
Recessed Panel Door
The recessed panel kitchen cabinet door style provides interesting detail and visual depth while keeping the design simple. This style refers to doors that have a central panel that is lower than the sides. This is usually because the central panel is made of a slightly thinner material than the rest of the door.
Recessed panel doors provide a sleek, modern and classic aesthetic to your kitchen and can be customized in terms of textures and detailing.
Louvered Cabinet Doors
A louvered kitchen cabinet door is a highly sophisticated and functional design that you can use. In louvered cabinets, multiple wooden slats or thin pieces are fit in one after another to form a door that looks much like window blinds.
These cabinet doors add a very distinct architectural style to any kitchen and are an excellent choice for cabinets that require ventilation. Due to the complexity and durability of their design, they can be quite expensive to build.
However, you can use this design for a few cabinets in your kitchen to stay within your budget. The cabinets under the sink, for instance, are a good choice for this kind of cabinet door.
Arched Cabinet Doors
Arched kitchen cabinet doors are a beautiful and classic design that looks best with traditional kitchen decor. They consist of a frame with an arched or curved top inside which is fitted with a recessed or raised central panel.
Though arched cabinet doors can be made with any material, they look charming with warm-toned polished wood. Arched cabinet doors are very popular and will never go out of style due to the simplicity and classic visual appeal of this design.
Track Cabinet Doors
Track doors are a convenient and modern style that eliminates the need for swinging kitchen cabinet doors. Track doors can be beneficial if you have a small kitchen where opening a kitchen cabinet takes up a lot of space and makes it challenging to move around.
In this style, the cabinet doors slide from one side to another on a track and you simply need to slide one door on top of another to access any of the cabinets. If you use track doors, you cannot access all cabinets at once. This kitchen cabinet door style might not go very well with a classic aesthetic but it looks great if you are going for a modern look.
Thermofoil Cabinet Doors
Thermofoil kitchen cabinet doors are a staple of budget kitchen decor and a great way to add brightness to your kitchen without burning a hole in your pocket. Thermofoil cabinet doors are made by vacuum pressing a thin layer of vinyl to the cabinet door.
Thermofoil cabinet doors are easy to clean and completely waterproof. They are available in bright colors that look smooth and polished. They are very affordable but may show signs of peeling and chipping over time.
Pocket Cabinet Doors
Pocket doors are an efficient choice for saving space while giving your kitchen a polished and contemporary look. Pocket doors are constructed by leaving a small space on each side of the cabinet. When the cabinet is opened, the doors slide into that space.
This is an excellent option if you don’t have space for swinging cabinet doors. Pocket doors provide easy access and can be used for cabinets that are opened and used often.
Rustic Cabinet Doors
Rustic cabinet doors are an excellent way to play with texture and color to give your kitchen a distinct visual appeal. This style of cabinet doors is made with wood that is intentionally not given a smooth or glossy finish or rather even distressed more to add to the aesthetic.
The grooves and imperfections in the wood give character to the cabinet doors and provide a down-to-earth style. Distressed wood can also be used for a more urban rustic look by giving it a dark stain for a more clean and modern style.
Lift Up Cabinet Doors
Lift-up kitchen cabinet doors have a hydraulic mechanism that will allow you to push up the cabinet door out of the way rather than opening it sideways. This is another efficient way to save space while giving your kitchen a clean look.
This is a good choice for those parts of your kitchen where the door needs to be out of the way. For instance, if you have to store your microwave or toaster or a similar appliance inside a cabinet, you can use a lift-up door. When closed, it will make your kitchen look organized and clean.
Glass Cabinet Doors
Glass cabinet doors require no explanation but they are a great choice to make your kitchen look spacious and elegant. Glass cabinet doors will help you show off your beautiful kitchenware and can look very sophisticated if you are someone who keeps your cabinets well organized.
If you are confused between open and closed cabinets, glass doors can help you find a middle ground. However, they do need more maintenance than other kitchen cabinet door options.
Kitchen cabinet doors are hands down the most important design feature of any kitchen. There is a vast variety of choices out there and it can be daunting to understand which one to use for your kitchen.
The smallest of details can make a world of difference in how your kitchen cabinet doors will look and there is also the larger design and aesthetic of your kitchen to keep in mind.
However, this list of ten types of kitchen cabinet doors will help you decide on the basics so that you can experiment with colors and materials for the perfect look for your kitchen. Keep this list in handy and you will soon have built a beautiful kitchen space for yourself!