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3 Common Types of Cabinet Doors: Full Guide 2023

Are you feeling overwhelmed by various cabinet door types? This article shows you popular types of cabinet doors to help you choose!

Despite the fact that the door style and door overlay are significant components of style, we are not talking about fashion when we talk about cabinet door types. We are referring to the construction, description, and classification of cabinet doors by manufacturers.

A new set of cabinet doors is exciting, but if you’re not sure what you want yet, it can also be a little overwhelming.

You will have a clear understanding of all the available cabinet door types by the end of this article, allowing you to choose the ideal one for your kitchen.

Cabinet Door Types

The type of the cabinet door is different from the style. Both the cabinet box’s construction and the door’s functionality will determine the type.

Overlay and inset are the two primary styles of cabinet doors. Cabinets with face frames or without frames can use overlay doors, but only face frames can use inset doors.

Partial Overlay Cabinet Doors

Partial overlay doors only cover part of the face frame, typically ½” around the opening. More of the face frame is visible because there is a wider space between the doors, drawers, and cabinet edge.

The partial overlay’s more traditional appearance appeals to some people. Additionally, if your door and drawer front undersides have a back bevel, you can open the doors with your hand instead of using handles. Others may decide to use this simplified design instead of attaching hardware, which is how most people do it.

Full Overlay Cabinet Doors

There is just a tiny space (referred to as the reveal) between adjacent doors or drawers with full overlay doors because they completely cover the cabinet frame. Both face frame and frameless cabinet boxes can use them. Kitchen cabinet doors of this style are the most common and versatile.

Inset Cabinet Doors

Inset Cabinet Doors

The cabinet frame accommodates inset doors. They fit inside the frame when closed and open and close similarly to your front door.

When hung properly with an even reveal on all sides, inset cabinet doors can appear sleek and sophisticated. They are more challenging to install, though, and typically call for special hinges and a stop to keep the doors from swinging inward.

A Few Popular Cabinet Door Styles

Let’s look at some of the most well-liked set designs for cabinets now that you’re starting to get a better understanding of the various design options you have to choose from and the various ways you can combine and match these in your own home. As you browse this list, compare these characteristics to the ones already in your home and imagine which style might suit best:

1. Shaker

Shaker cabinetry is the most common style of kitchen cabinet today and is characterized by the square recessed panel on the door. Its name comes from Shaker furniture, which emphasizes practicality and has simple, clean lines. Shaker has only grown more prevalent over time, while many traditional styles have lost favor.

This cabinet design is popular in part due to its simplicity and timeless appeal. Shaker cabinets complement a variety of styles, both traditional and modern. An industrial countertop made of concrete or a rustic butcher block can transform Shaker cabinets into one of two different styles.

Despite being a plain design at first, the original style has undergone many changes, one of which has edges that are slightly beveled. Shaker cabinets may have matching drawers with recessed panels or be combined with flat-style drawers.

2. Glass

The center panel is replaced with glass in glass or glass-front cabinets, giving you a wonderful opportunity to display your prized kitchen tableware. With their clean, streamlined look, these cabinets often feature perfectly in more modern, minimalist kitchen designs.

Smaller spaces benefit greatly from glass cabinets because they give your room depth and appear larger. Finding things is also made easier by the presence of transparent glass. Diamond panels and stained glass are just two examples of the many decorative additions that are available.

Glass cabinets, as opposed to open shelves, have the added advantage of shielding your tableware from dirt and grease. Of course, the glass itself still needs to be cleaned. Cooking grease and smoke can start to build up on the glass, causing a noticeable film or staining the surface. Additionally, glass cabinet doors must not be opened or closed roughly because doing so could result in them breaking. However, installing high-quality glass or soft close hardware can help prevent this.

3. Flat

Flat-paneled cabinet doors, also known as “slab doors,” are a simple, minimalist design that can work well in contemporary or modern kitchens. This fashion is currently gaining popularity in the United States after decades of popularity in Europe. Typically, they come in laminate, which is less expensive and more versatile, and in wood.

The simplicity of cleaning and refinishing flat-paneled cabinets is one of their biggest benefits. Because of their featureless design, they are also great for showcasing knobs, drawer pulls or whatever hardware you choose.

Flat cabinets are among the least expensive options because they are relatively simple to manufacture, but the price will also depend on the wood, finish, hardware, and other elements.

4. Beadboard

Vertical planks are fitted together to form beadboard, also known as tongue-and-groove construction. In between the planks are small ridges, also known as “beads.” They give off a laid-back vibe, look great in cottage-style kitchens, and are frequently installed in the back as well as the front of cabinets.

There are several different widths of beadboard cabinets. Today, beadboard is commonly made out of a single, solid piece of medium-density fiberboard made to look like separate planks of wood fitted together. This type of cabinet frequently looks amazing in more rustic kitchen designs because of its very appearance.

5. Cathedral

Compared to the arch style, the cathedral cabinet is more elaborate. Its arch has a cathedral cut-like appearance; it is indented and steeper. It complements traditional, ornate, and Gothic interiors, and it looks best in rooms with high ceilings.

This style has the drawback of being challenging to update. It might be more challenging to sell your house because it is less well-liked than Shaker or flat-style cabinets. However, these cabinets can look absolutely stunning in a more traditional and opulent kitchen design.

Related Post: Modern Cabinet Door Styles

Customizing Your Cabinets

Of course, no cabinet door is complete without personalized elements. To truly manifest any of the aforementioned styles in your kitchen, customize your cabinet doors with regard to:

  • Color: The majority of kitchen cabinet designs should adhere to a neutral color scheme. Choose from stains that highlight the wood’s inherent warmth or look for a paint color that harmonizes with the room’s design.
  • Material: To ensure the best cure when painting cabinet doors, make sure to select a paint-grade cabinet material. For classic kitchen designs, natural woodgrains are a fantastic option.
  • Accessories: High-end design elements like mouldings, cabinet shelving, and end panels can all improve your cabinets’ panache and aesthetically harmonize the space.
  • Hardware can help your cabinetry look better and perform better. Find the handles, pulleys, and knobs that best suit your lifestyle from the many options available to transform your cabinet doors.

Tips for DIY Cabinet Door Installation

One worry that many do-it-yourselfers have before starting a cabinetry project is ease of installation.

Your cabinet doors will be easy to install because Cabinet Doors “N” More provides a customized, do-it-yourself product.

While the installation process is similar for most cabinet door designs, keep in mind that adding custom features like veneers and cabinet mouldings may make it more difficult.

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Final Words on Types of Cabinet Doors

Cabinet doors come in a variety of types. Typically, the styles differ in the design of the frame, which can be arched, square, or decorative, and the middle panel, which can be raised, recessed or flat.

There are many different styles of cabinet doors, including arched, square raised, glass-ready, decorative panel, and more.

It’s important to make the right choice when selecting cabinet doors. They are, after all, a key visual component of your kitchen, so the style you select will have a big influence on the decor of the entire space.

You can create a kitchen that is modern and sleek, elegant and classic, or bright and fun simply by choosing the cabinet doors.

Read More: Best Wood For Cabinet Doors

FAQs

What Are Two Basic Types of Cabinet Doors?

The two basic types of cabinet doors are overlay and inset.

What is Better MDF Or Wood Cabinets?

MDF is denser than hardwood and offers a much smoother finish with no grain. Because of this, MDF makes an excellent material for painted cabinet doors.

Which Door Type is Most Durable?

A steel door is your best bet if security and durability are top priorities. Steel units are more durable and won’t warp or crack than wood or fiberglass doors.