The Reno Projects

  • About
  • My Reno Project(s)
  • Project Spotlight
  • Search By Room
  • Contact

How To Choose A Kitchen Cabinet Door Style

May 15, 2012

Beginning to notice, when renovating, you agonize over the smallest details you had never even considered before? It happens. A lot. Especially with kitchens. You are asked to choose things that you had never even thought about before, like the style and details of your cabinet door. All of a sudden, there is a million to choose from; ones with coves and curves, others with no detail at all, one with glass. You begin to question yourself…but what do I like? What does everyone else do? Panic sets in. But before you jump off the deep end, I am here to help. This decision will make a difference in the overall look of the kitchen so let’s begin.

Raised Panel vs. Recessed Panel



To not overwhelm you, let’s skim over the technical. There are three common styles of cabinet doors: raised panel, recessed panel and slab door. The difference between these styles is mainly the centre panel, as you can see in the photo above. Raised panel tends to attract those who are more traditional in style and recessed panel is more contemporary. Yes, it is that simple. Slab door, on the other hand, has no profile or panel. It literally looks like a flat slab of wood. This bridges contemporary and modern styles.

Raised Door Panel Kitchen
via
Recessed Door Panel
via
Slab Door Style
via

When deciding on a door style, keep the following in mind:
  • What is the style you are going for? Traditional? Modern? Country?
  • What are the details on your trims, mouldings and doors in your house?
  • What is the door style on other furniture pieces you own? Try to keep things constant, but there is no need to perfectly match. As long as they don’t fight against each other.
  • What added details could make your door style better? Beadboard or glass in the centre? Adding a cove to the inside panel?

Today’s most common door style is the shaker door. It is a recessed panel, with no details. As you can see, Ikea has perfected this look!

via

The shaker door has made a name for itself because of it’s clean lines and flexible style. With a shaker door, you can add traditional details or keep it contemporary. It is really up to you! It can look “ikea-ish”, and so if you are going with custom cabinetry, try to add deatil to your door style to make it different…like these examples.

via
via

via

Notice that all these door styles have the shaker look (flat around the perimeter) but include a different detail around the centre panel. I would suggest to keep your cabinetry door style simple for the most part. Kitchens have no become more streamlined and less fussy, which is reflected in the door styles.

Now, do you feel better about making this decision?  

· Uncategorized

Comments

  1. Jason Skelton says

    September 4, 2012 at 5:17 am

    Another helpful tips came from you. I want to thank you for posting this. Truly one of the most important part of a cabinet is its door and I consider the best of kitchen cabinetry used for this kind of matter can give you the best results. It is an honor to red articles from you. Keep it up!

  2. Johnny Kingery says

    April 27, 2013 at 7:26 am

    I'm planning to buy a kitchen cabinets and I don't know what to choose and how to find the right one that is suited for my kitchen. This post gave me an idea on what to choose. Thanks for sharing!

    Cheap Kitchen Cabinets

  3. Anonymous says

    April 12, 2014 at 5:41 pm

    I think this is one of the most important information for
    me. And i am glad reading your article. But should remark
    on few general things, The web site style is wonderful,
    the articles is really great : D. Good job, cheers

    Check out my blog pedicure eugene

The Designer Behind The Blog

Follow On Instagram

Need Design Advice?

Looking for some advice on for your space? Find out how you can get a consultation either online or on site.
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Searching For Something Specific?

Subscribe By Email

Popular Posts

Kitchen 101: How To Design A Kitchen Layout That Works

Kitchen 101: How To Design A Kitchen Layout That Works

Caribbean Inspired Design

Caribbean Inspired Design

It’s Not a Barn, it’s a Gambrel!

It’s Not a Barn, it’s a Gambrel!

Siding to Shaker

Siding to Shaker

@kmsalterdesign

© Copyright 2026. The Reno Projects. All Rights Reserved. Design by Bloom.