Top 13 Styles of Kitchen Cabinets to Consider for Your Kitchen

Choosing a kitchen cabinet is fairly simple on paper — after all, it’s just a storage unit for your dishes and utensils, right? Well, it’s a bit more complicated than that since kitchen cabinets can connect the dots of your interior design and make a great aesthetical touch. 

The problem is triggered when you reach the selection phase. Should you go with an all-wood option, a different type of finish, or exposed shelves to show off your artistic dishes? Don’t worry; our experts at Highland Cabinetry have dealt with these issues since 2018. 

This guide on the best kitchen cabinet styles will help you understand the relevance of cabinet style and type, as well as the impact of materials and other factors to consider. Our President, James McAllister will lead you through the selection process by explaining each type and giving you the pros and cons of each.

Kitchen Cabinet Styles

Unlike types, different styles of kitchen cabinets are mostly related to their visual appeal, but there’s also something in the practicality coming with particular designs. Let our expert team break it down for you so you’ll have an easier time deciding which cabinet style to order:

1. Shaker Style Kitchen Cabinets

Shaker-style cabinets let that timeless design into your home and kitchen with sharp edges, and it’s no wonder they have been around for centuries. They work best with an all-wood design, as you’ll be able to see by taking a look at our kitchen cabinet designs.

Their boxy design is by no means outdated or even classic—it’s still a modern take on cabinets today. Trust us, we’d know. Having produced thousands of shaker kitchen cabinets, Highland Cabinetry excels in producing different variations of this style, including the following:

• White Shaker Cabinets—Our classy white shaker cabinets feature a clear coat finish, a soft-close system, plywood extensions, and adjustable hardware and shelves.
• Grey Shaker Cabinets — With thick cabinet-grade plywood shelves and metal shelf rests, you can rest assured that our grey shaker cabinets will last a while longer.
• Modern Slate Cabinets — If you think that regular shaker cabinets seem a bit out of touch for your kitchen space, our contemporary modern slate options will prove you wrong.
• Uptown White Cabinets — Our uptown white cabinets let you enjoy the classic charm of this style with a spacious upper shelf and a showroom lower shelf.
• Onyx Black Shaker Cabinets — Black onyx shaker cabinets are perfect for those looking to get a more stylish variant of our all-wood cabinets to match usability and style.
• Signature Blue Shaker Cabinets — Signature blue cabinets are subtle and classic-looking shaker options with that extra something for a special flair added to your kitchen space.

All of our shaker cabinets are delivered within seven days with a 97% customer satisfaction rate. You can’t suit everyone’s taste, but with all these options, we tend to do what we can to give you cabinets that are durable, convenient, and good-looking.

Pros:

• Lots of different options to choose from
• Black onyx or signature blue variations suit even the most recent kitchen designs
• Best in terms of storage space
• Adjustable hardware and shelves

Cons:

• The classic design may not fit every kitchen space 

2. Distressed Style Kitchen Cabinets

Distressed kitchen cabinets are suitable for a wide range of kitchen spaces with a vintage design and an appeal that blends in with different interiors. You still get a natural wood material, only this time, the finish can get rather creative with the paint-brush-like coat.

Pros:

• Suitable for a variety of kitchen spaces
• Wide range of finish types
• Combine storage and looks

Cons:

• The specific design may not suit everyone’s preference

3. Raised Panel Style Kitchen Cabinets

The raised panel style of cabinets lets you optimize your kitchen work area with a classic appeal and design. They are often rather affordable and feature a wide range of panel finishes like glazed, antique, and marble-like. 

Pros:

• Allow different panel decorations
• Cleaner look
• Blend in with different kitchen designs 

Cons:

• It is not so easy to find any designs other than framed panels

4. Slab Style Kitchen Cabinets

If you are looking for simplicity that breathes class, you can’t go wrong with slab-style kitchen cabinets. These have a smooth finish and are often built from a single piece of wood, which makes up for the simple design through easy cleaning and maintenance.

Pros: 

• Simple cleaning
• Minimal design

Cons:

• Cabinet doors may be prone to warping

5. Glass-Front Style Kitchen Cabinets

For those who enjoy placing their silver platter on display, glass-front style cabinets are the best pick. They make your kitchen seem more spacious and break the monotony of design with a bit of transparency and simple cleaning.

Pros:

• Do not stain as much as regular wooden cabinets
• Easy cleaning
• Great for displaying your best dishes

Cons:

• More expensive to mount
• Sensitive glass sections require extra attention

6. Floating Style Kitchen Cabinets

If you don’t mind putting some of your plates and bowls on display, floating-style cabinets are a great choice. They add up to a more spacious feel of your kitchen area and seem fairly unique and creative in many setups.

Pros:

• A beautiful way of displaying your items
• Customizable cabinet style

Cons:

• It may consume a lot of space

7. Beadboard Style Kitchen Cabinets

Beadboard-style kitchen cabinets also feature a wooden design, only this time you’ll spot a purposely-placed groove between connection blocks. It leads to a more expressive style and a fun variation of standard wooden cabinets suitable for all types of kitchen spaces.

Pros:

• Adds character to your kitchen
• More versatility in design options

Cons:

• Not as durable as all-wood materials

8. Inset Style Kitchen Cabinets

If you are up for something different, you can go with an inset style, which refers to doors and handles being embedded into the cabinet frame. It looks way more classy, especially with a white coat finish, and transforms your kitchen into a more elegant space.

Pros:

• High-end appeal 
• Elegant design works best in white color

Cons:

• More expensive variant

9. Louvered Style Kitchen Cabinets

Louvered-style kitchen cabinets let more light and air into your kitchen space and, therefore, enrich your cooking area. They are perfect if you prefer to keep your platter out of reach design-wise, as your guests won’t be able to see through them.

Pros:

• Perfect for high-capacity storage 

Cons:

• Not as classy in design as other styles

10. Open Style Kitchen Cabinets

Open-style kitchen cabinets seem more inviting and make for regular shelving in your kitchen, allowing you to have all of your options at hand. They make a perfect combination with closed drawers as a contrast between the two.

Pros:

• Adds openness to your kitchen
• More convenient for cooking and serving food

Cons: 

• Collects more dust than closed cabinets

11. Plywood Style Kitchen Cabinets

Plywood-style kitchen cabinets are superb in terms of their ruggedness and longevity. They give you a sturdier option which usually outlasts regular wooden cabinets, and they are also less prone to damage and scratches, so they require less maintenance.

Pros:

• Resistant to dents and scratches
• Usually outlast regular wooden cabinets

Cons:

• More expensive option

12. Glossy Style Cabinets

Glossy-style cabinets are light-reflecting, and they are great for tight kitchen spaces in need of a modern touch. They can also be waterproof, so they are easy to maintain and clean and don’t require any special attention: 

Pros:

• Great for compact kitchen spaces
• Add a dose of a luxurious feel to otherwise modest kitchen spaces

Cons

• It might be too shiny for some spaces.

13. Floor-to-ceiling Style Kitchen Cabinets

Last but not least, floor-to-ceiling style kitchen cabinets are great for directing all attention and focus to your kitchen area. They draw attention with elevated design and make perfect options for large kitchen spaces.

Pros:

• Perfectly complement large kitchen areas
• Great for higher storage capacity

Cons:

• It might make your kitchen look too boxy

The 4 Main Kitchen Cabinet Types

Let’s get started by first explaining the difference between kitchen cabinet types and styles. Cabinet types are very different from kitchen cabinet styles since they have nothing to do with materials, design, and finish. They are more related to the purpose in your kitchen since some are custom-made, while others are mass-produced. 

We’ll explain the main differences, benefits, and downsides of each, but first, here’s an overview of their comparison details:

RTA Kitchen Cabinets

If you are having some customization ideas, but can’t make up your mind on what you’d want exactly, RTA kitchen cabinets are the go-to pick. As their name suggests, they are ready for assembly and the best thing is you can choose from countless different designs, sizes, drawer types, and features.

Here at Highland Cabinetry, we find it our duty to bring you the best RTA cabinets that are on par with custom options that would cost way more money and be a drag to wait for months. We solved the issue of affordability by creating a whole portfolio of ready-to-assemble cabinets that make perfect customization fits for your kitchen space.

Only this time, you can count on timely service with delivery in 7 to 9 business days. Who said that RTA cabinets should be plain and dull-looking? With our custom-like options, you get the highest-quality all-wood material with remarkable finishes and different drawer and color options.

Our cabinet options feature thick stretchers and cabinet bases with thick plywood reinforcements for durability and ruggedness. Clear coat UV finish makes them both convenient for use and good-looking, while adjustable accessories like removable drawers help you get a cabinet tailored to your needs.

Pros:

• Lower cost compared with custom cabinets
• Faster delivery time and simple assembly
• Hundreds of different options to make them more customizable
• Top-notch wooden materials with a clear coat finish and reinforced sturdiness
• Adjustable drawers allow for more customization

Cons:

• Do not allow as much customization as custom cabinets
• Feature lower stylistic appeal compared to custom options

Custom Kitchen Cabinets

Custom kitchen cabinets let you get the most out of different kitchen cabinet styles, materials, and features. They can be ordered to be produced specifically for your kitchen, and that speaks volumes about their versatility.

However, it also means longer waiting periods for delivery and a higher price tag. Even with those few downsides, they are still one of the best options you can go for. A perfect instance is getting that dream cabinet of yours that lets you put your favorite dishes on a display while style having storage capabilities intact.

In this case, you could just get an exposed upper shelf with a closed bottom drawer to get the best of both worlds.

Pros:

• Best fit for custom kitchen designs 
• Allow you to choose from a variety of styles and designs
• Let you combine different kitchen cabinet styles into one
• You get to choose the material, finish, and drawer sizes

Cons:

• Custom cabinets are the most expensive ones you can get
• You might need to wait for more than a month for delivery 

Semi-Custom Kitchen Cabinets

One of the most popular types of kitchen cabinets are semi-custom cabinets and for a good reason. These allow you to combine some customization elements like drawer depth and size or accessories with stock cabinet designs.
So, you basically get upgraded stock kitchen cabinets with this one, and that’s often enough for consumers looking to save a few bucks while getting at least some level of customization.

Pros:

• Allow for partial customization
• Lets you choose drawer size and depth
• Retain the basic qualities of stock cabinets, including a lower price

Cons:

• Limited design options
• You can’t choose from too many style options

Stock Kitchen Cabinets

Now we finally come to stock cabinets and these are the simplest out of the bunch. They don’t allow any customization options — you get what you see in the catalog, and they are already pre-assembled and ready for installation.

They have some standout benefits, mainly focused on a lower price tag, but they lack lots of aesthetic features and an eye-candy appeal of custom options. 

Pros:

• Easiest option to mount
• Come with predetermined dimensions and features
• Least diversified kind of cabinets

Cons: 

• Come with predetermined dimensions and features
• You can’t customize anything other than choosing a factory-set size

FAQs

What’s the difference between kitchen cabinet types and styles?

The main difference between kitchen cabinet types and styles is that types are mainly referring to the structure and customization possibilities, while styles are mostly referring to the design.

What are the best kitchen cabinet types to get?

The best kitchen cabinet types to get are RTA cabinets since they are cost-effective and arrive soon after ordering. Custom cabinets require you to pay more and wait longer for installation.

What are the best kitchen cabinet styles?

Some of the best kitchen cabinet styles include shaker cabinets with a classic boxy design and an appeal suitable for every kitchen and open-style kitchen cabinets for letting more light in and expressing yourself and your dishes. However, it’s up to everyone’s taste, so make sure to explore all 13 styles we’ve discussed in this guide.