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13 Types of Kitchen Cabinets [Must-Know Guide]

By: Andrew Saladino | Clock. 12 min
Last Updated: February 6th, 2024

Kitchen with updated white kitchen cabinets.

The types of kitchen cabinets you choose will ultimately define the design style of your space. Before picking cabinets, it's important to consider the differences and advantages of the types, categories, and styles.

In this guide, we'll provide key information and inspiration that will help you decide which kitchen cabinets to pick for your remodel.

The 3 Cabinet Types

There are three main types of cabinets: custom, semi-stock, and stock cabinets. While all have pros and cons, it's up to you to decide which type of cabinet is the right choice for your project. The following breakdown should give you a better idea of the three types.

Kitchen with white custom cabinets.

1. Custom cabinetry is specifically built to fit your space. The process usually includes having a designer assess your space and style to create a kitchen that's perfect for you. If you live in a home with an odd layout, custom cabinets are a great way to build a kitchen that fits your unique interior design style. The extra labor and time that go into custom cabinets are reflected in the higher price point (starting at $500 per linear foot).

For more info on prices for all types, take a look at our guide on kitchen cabinet costs.

Kitchen with wood semi-stock cabinets.

2. Semi-stock cabinets (or semi-custom cabinets) won't be tailored to your unique space as much as custom cabinetry. But they offer you a large variety of custom features such as decorative additions, custom finishes, or the option to change dimensions. The cabinet boxes are delivered in standard sizes, but you can request drawers, door fronts, and cabinet depth to be tailored to your needs. These are much more affordable than custom cabinets (starting at $150/linear foot), but they will still require a bigger chunk of your remodel budget.

Kitchen with wood stock kitchen cabinets.

3. Stock cabinets are the most affordable way to turn your dream kitchen into reality, starting at $80 per linear foot. At Kitchen Cabinet Kings, we offer two types of stock cabinets: ready-to-assemble (RTA) and assembled cabinets. Below are the most important factors to consider when choosing a cabinet type for your kitchen remodel. Spoiler alert: Both options are high-quality choices and available in a variety of styles!

Ready-To-Assemble (RTA) Cabinets

Pros

  • Easier and quicker to ship
  • Provide a variety of options in color, style, and trim
  • Cost-efficient, allowing customers to purchase higher-quality cabinets

Cons

  • Risk of scratching finish when assembling cabinets
  • Assembling the cabinets typically takes novices 30-45 minutes for the first cabinet

Assembled Cabinets

Pros

  • Easy and quick to install
  • Arrive pre-assembled

Cons

  • Longer shipping time
  • Higher price point because shipping is more expensive

The 4 Cabinet Categories

Transitional kitchen with white shaker cabinets.

Before diving into the different styles, it's helpful to know the four basic categories of kitchen cabinets and how they're suitable for different spaces. Let's explore the sizes and characteristics:

  1. Wall (upper) cabinets are 12 to 24 inches deep, depending on whether you pick standard or custom cabinets. They're usually attached to the wall above the base cabinets with enough space to install an 18-inch backsplash.
  2. Standard base cabinets are 24 inches deep and 34.5 inches tall without countertops. Custom cabinets may have different measurements, but a cabinet that is no deeper than 27 inches allows homeowners to still reach the back of the cabinet. Any deeper, and the space would likely be wasted.
  3. Tall cabinets usually serve as a pantry and are 84 to 96 inches tall. Custom cabinets may be higher or lower depending on ceiling height and kitchen style.
  4. Specialty units are customized cabinets to maximize the space in your kitchen. A variety of features fall under this category, such as corner cabinets, hutches, bottle racks, or appliance garages.

If you want to learn more about the different sizes, our guide on sizes and dimensions includes more details.

13 Most Popular Styles of Kitchen Cabinets

Now that we've discussed the basic types of kitchen cabinets, let's get into the fun stuff - picking a style! There are many different cabinet door styles to choose from in different colors and materials. To create a kitchen design you'll appreciate, you should first fall in love with a cabinet door style. Here are the most trendy kitchen cabinet styles for your kitchen remodel.

1. Shaker Style Kitchen Cabinets

Kitchen with white shaker cabinets.

Shaker style cabinets are among the most popular choices for kitchen remodels - and for good reason! This cabinet style is distinctive yet timeless. Shaker cabinet doors and drawers have a flat surface with a recessed panel in the middle.

This style is available in an array of materials and colors. Because shaker cabinets are so simple in design, they can fit with virtually any interior style. The Ice White Shaker cabinets are a customer favorite and are the perfect choice for farmhouse or modern kitchens.

The same style can elevate a bohemian or industrial design in a dark green or matte black shade. With shaker style cabinets, the possibilities are endless.

This style also transfers well into laundry or bathrooms so you can carry the same design throughout your entire home. Because it's such a popular choice, shaker cabinets will likely be in stock at all times and reasonably priced, making them a great choice for your remodel project.

Pros

  • Widely available due to popularity
  • Matches any hardware
  • Easy to combine with slab style cabinets
  • Fits with almost every design style

Cons

  • Regular cleaning required to prevent dirt from collecting on the recessed panel of the cabinet

2. Distressed Cabinets

Rustic kitchen with distressed wood cabinets.

For a vintage look perfect for any farmhouse or traditional style kitchen, try cabinets with a distressed finish. You can achieve this by painting your cabinets, then sanding them down in places, or even sourcing distressed wood to build a custom cabinet set.

These cabinets are very forgiving to imperfections, making them perfect for low-maintenance or high-traffic households. However, if you choose a distressed material, you might have difficulty achieving a new cabinet finish if you decide you no longer like the distressed look.

Pros

  • Forgiving to imperfections and scratches
  • Adds vintage flair

Cons

  • Some materials may be difficult to paint or stain

3. Raised Panel Kitchen Cabinets

Traditional kitchen with white raised panel kitchen cabinets.

Besides shaker style, raised panel kitchen cabinets are among the most popular design choices. Timeless yet visually stimulating, the three-dimensional structure of these kitchen cabinet doors fits well with any interior design style. The center panel of these cabinet doors is slightly raised and adds dimension to the look.

Most commonly used in traditional homes, this elegant cabinet style looks beautiful in every color and wood type imaginable.

Dark espresso cabinets paired with light granite countertops will result in a cozy traditional space, while two-toned white and blue raised panel cabinets can turn your kitchen into a coastal dream.

Pros

  • Lots of decorative options
  • Timeless and elegant style that seamlessly fits into any design
  • Easy to maintain

Cons

  • More expensive than shaker cabinets
  • Fewer frameless options available

4. Slab Kitchen Cabinets

Modern kitchen with two-tone slab kitchen cabinets.

Slab kitchen cabinets, also commonly referred to as flat-front or panel-front cabinets, are among the most simple design styles to choose from for your kitchen remodel. The biggest advantages of this design are the low price tag and the easy maintenance due to the flat surface and lack of design details in the wood.

Unless you're looking for a truly minimalist kitchen (in which case, this is the perfect kitchen cabinet style for you), you can spice this cabinet style up with a unique paint color, stain, or hardware. Oversized handles instead of knobs will add depth to the otherwise bland cabinet doors.

Pros

  • Easy to spice up with interesting hardware, stain, or paint
  • Easiest to clean because of the flat surface
  • Oftentimes least expensive because of the lack of details in the wood

Cons

  • Can look bland without hardware

5. Glass-Front Kitchen Cabinets

Modern kitchen with glass-front kitchen cabinets.

Also called open frame doors, glass-front kitchen cabinets are the perfect choice for anyone who wants to openly display their kitchen items. Whether you want to show off unique plates, crystal vases, or your collection of international beer mugs, you can keep items like these safe yet visible behind glass-front cabinets.

Unlike open shelves, glass-front cabinets provide more storage space and will protect your possessions from collecting dust.

Oftentimes, this style cabinet is used for certain areas in your kitchen or dining room and not throughout an entire kitchen. Wall cabinets or a tall cabinet with glass-front doors can elevate your space and will pair well with shaker, raised, or inset doors covering the remaining cabinets in your kitchen.

While more delicate and difficult to clean, glass-front cabinets are the perfect choice for homeowners who like to keep things tidy and want to add a unique touch to their kitchen.

Pros

  • Adds a special touch to your new kitchen
  • Can install lights inside the cabinets for extra illumination
  • Keeps dinner and glassware protected from dust and grease

Cons

  • Can be more expensive than wood
  • See-through front calls for an always-tidy shelf inside
  • More delicate
  • Two-step cleaning required to remove dust and grease

6. Floating Cabinets

Small one-wall kitchen with floating two-tone kitchen cabinets.

Floating cabinets are a more common choice for bathrooms, but they can be a great fit in a kitchen, too. These cabinets are supported by the wall and don't have a toe kick, giving the illusion that they're floating. This makes them perfect for any modern space.

A major advantage of floating cabinets is that they're ultra-customizable. You can adjust their height to suit any space. If you need a kitchen that works for people who use mobility aids like a walker or wheelchair, these cabinets can be customized to accommodate their needs.

Pros

  • Very customizable for different needs
  • Easy to clean

Cons

  • Can be difficult and costly to install
  • May show exposed plumbing

7. Beadboard Kitchen Cabinets

Updated kitchen with white beadboard kitchen cabinets.

If you're looking to add Scandinavian flair to your home, beadboard cabinets are the way to go. The vertical slats that make up the cabinet fronts may not be the best design choice for a minimal home, but they're a wonderful touch in a cottage or rustic kitchen.

You can still make these work in a minimalist kitchen - a kitchen island with beadboard cabinet doors can add a subtle twist to your design. The vertical slats are also pretty to look at behind glass-front cabinet doors.

Beadboard cabinets look especially great in kitchens with exposed wood beams and distressed furniture for a beautiful, high-end cottage or farmhouse-style kitchen.

Pros

  • Adds an element of warmth through texture
  • Wide variety of width available for different boards

Cons

  • More difficult to clean because of uneven surface

8. Inset Kitchen Cabinets

Transitional kitchen with black inset kitchen cabinets.

When picking framed cabinets, inset doors are a cool design option. These cabinet doors fit flush with the face frame of the cabinet, resulting in a smooth and clean look. This type of kitchen cabinet door style can be more expensive because it is difficult to install. Small mistakes during installation can result in a messy finish. However, a perfectly installed inset cabinet will look absolutely beautiful in your modern or farmhouse kitchen.

It's important to pick hinges you like and a material that matches the knobs or handles since they'll be exposed between the doors and the face frame of your cabinets. If you don't want the hinges to show, beaded inset cabinets have an extra layer that will outline the door or drawer and conceal hinges.

Pros

  • Easy to personalize
  • Classic craftsmanship look is timeless

Cons

  • Usually requires exposed hinges
  • Can be very expensive

9. Louvered Kitchen Cabinets

Rustic kitchen with wood louvered kitchen cabinets.

Louvered cabinets are a great way to add a unique touch to your kitchen. Louvered cabinet doors consist of layered horizontal slabs that bring the illusion of space to your kitchen. While difficult to clean, this airy style draws attention and can elevate an otherwise bland kitchen design.

This style door is the perfect detail to add to a bohemian, Asian zen, or coastal style kitchen. Louvered doors can look great covering base, upper, or even tall kitchen cabinets, adding dimension to your space.

Pros

  • Bring illusion of space to your kitchen
  • Add unique style

Cons

  • High maintenance level as slats are difficult to clean

10. Open Cabinets

Kitchen with open shelving above stove.

When you want to show off some stylish cookware, try open kitchen cabinets. Not only does this let you turn your cabinets into an extra space for decor but home cooks can keep their favorite pots, pans, and tools within reach.

Keep in mind that you might need to clear out these cabinets more often, as the objects inside can collect dust. They're also not ideal for valuable or fragile items, which may be knocked out and damaged.

Pros

  • Easy to show off trinkets and cookware
  • Easy access for often-used objects

Cons

  • Doesn't protect contents from dust or grease
  • Objects can be knocked off

11. Plywood Cabinets

Industrial kitchen with plywood cabinets.

While cabinet boxes are typically made of plywood, the engineered wood is also becoming a more popular design choice for cabinet doors. A clear finish will show off the grain and protect this durable and strong material from potential damage.

This style cabinet will look great in a minimalist, bohemian, or Scandinavian style home. It pairs well with simple design features like white subway tile backsplash or marble countertops. A major advantage to plywood cabinets is they're an inexpensive choice, so they're perfect for a budget remodel.

Pros

  • Inexpensive material
  • Beautiful visible grain with clear finish
  • Resistant to changes in temperature or humidity

Cons

  • Only high-quality plywood will result in sturdy and durable cabinets

12. Glossy Cabinets

Moden kitchen with high-gloss kitchen cabinets.

Glossy cabinets are the perfect choice for a minimalist kitchen. Whether you go with a white, black, or colorful finish, these cabinets are typically slab style, achieving a very simple look.

Glossy cabinets are easy to clean, but they're also prone to fingerprints. To make them a lower-maintenance choice, install hand pulls to limit how much you touch the glossy finish.

Pros

  • Easy to clean
  • Adds unique flair to minimalist kitchens

Cons

  • Shows fingerprints and scratches easily
  • Difficult to repaint

13. Floor-to-Ceiling Cabinets

All black kitchen with floor-to-ceiling cabinets.

Floor-to-ceiling cabinets span the entire height of a room, maximizing storage. They can help create the illusion of a taller room and can be done in any cabinet style.

One disadvantage is that it can be difficult to reach upper cabinets for storage and cleaning. You might need a step stool, which can be cumbersome to take out and put away as you need it.

Pros

  • Adds lots of storage space
  • Can make the room appear taller

Cons

  • Can be difficult to access tall cabinets for cleaning and storage

Types of Kitchen Cabinets FAQs

With the variety of different types and styles of cabinets that are available for your kitchen remodel, it's no wonder you may have additional questions.

What is the most popular kitchen cabinet style?

Shaker cabinets are the most popular style of kitchen cabinets. The design is simple, and the square panel doors match any type of hardware well. The Ice White Shaker cabinet style is a customer favorite and is available as RTA or assembled cabinets.

What are the most durable kitchen cabinets?

The most durable material for kitchen cabinets is solid wood. Maple, oak, and cherry are all durable and sturdy woods that can last a lifetime in your kitchen with the correct finish. The cabinet boxes are usually made of plywood or MDF, as these materials can withstand fluctuations in temperature and humidity better than solid wood. Engineered wood is also lighter in weight, making it easier to install than solid wood cabinets.

What are the best kitchen cabinets?

The best kitchen cabinets depend largely on your taste, budget, and project timeline. Ready-to-assemble cabinets come at a cheaper price point than assembled cabinets because they can be shipped in smaller boxes. This allows you to pick a higher-quality material at a lower cost. Assembled cabinets may take longer to order and ship but they're quicker to install after delivery. If you're unsure what cabinets are best for your kitchen remodeling project, reach out to our service team at (888) 696-6545!

What types of kitchen cabinets are there?

There are three types of cabinetry: custom, semi-stock, and stock cabinets. Custom cabinetry comes with the highest price tag because it's built specifically to fit your space. Semi-stock cabinets can offer you a wider variety of finishes, wood options, and accessories in the mid-tier price range. The most affordable type of cabinets are stock cabinets. They're available as RTA or assembled cabinets.

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