5 Different Types of Kitchen Cabinet Styles to Elevate Your Kitchen Design

In order for your kitchen to be complete, it’s key to spend time choosing which cabinets best match your home’s aesthetic.

But with so many types of kitchen cabinet styles available, making the right choice can quickly become overwhelming. To avoid this, we suggest doing plenty of research before the time comes to make your final choice. Take into account the style you want to go for, the level of functionality, and the dimensions of your kitchen to ensure you choose the proper size.

In this post, we’ll cover some of the most popular kitchen cabinet styles to help you narrow down your choice.

Style #1: Shaker Cabinets

This is most likely what first comes to mind when you hear the words “kitchen cabinet.” Timeless and simple, Shaker cabinets feature a five-piece design with a flat, recessed inner panel.

These cabinets are often crafted from solid woods, but in some cases are made from MDF (medium density fiberboard) or plywood. Shaker cabinets are well-loved for their versatility, and can complement home interiors ranging from contemporary to rustic. Typically, you’ll see Shaker cabinets painted white, grey, beige, or wood-stained.


The Pros: Easy to clean, extremely versatile, timeless style

The Cons: Dust may collect in recessed center, sometimes too simplistic, edges may show wear and tear

Style #2: Glass-Front Cabinets

Choosing glass-front cabinets for your kitchen adds a touch of sophistication (and is a motivator to always keep the contents organized). 

You’ll often see this cabinet style designed with clear glass, but some will feature textured or frosted glass instead. Crafted with a wood or metal frame, glass-front cabinets have an inset design and may include dividers to enhance their appearance. 

Perhaps one of the most popular reasons to invest in glass-front cabinets is the decorative nature - we think they’re the perfect choice to display beautiful dinnerware. 

The Pros: Elevate kitchen design, perfect for displays, large variety of design options

The Cons: Can reveal clutter, glass may show smudges, typically more expensive

Style #3: Inset Cabinets 

Adding inset cabinets to your kitchen creates a sense of timeless elegance. 

This sleek option features a framed design with the drawers resting inside the cabinet versus overlaying it. Often found in luxury spaces, inset cabinets can be crafted from both hardwood and softwoods, MDF, or plywood. 
In some cases, inset cabinets will have authentic wood veneers placed over the original MDF/plywood structure. 


The Pros: Sophisticated design, versatile options, adds unique touch to kitchen

The Cons: Higher price, may have less storage space, often longer installation time

Style #4: Open Shelf Cabinets

Incorporating open shelf cabinets into your kitchen adds a modern, airy feel to the space. 

Open shelf cabinets can range in proportions and style, but they always have one key design feature in common: they never have doors. Materials used to construct open shelves can range from hardwoods and MDF to glass or even laminate.This choice is extremely versatile and may feature the standard cabinet frame or be, as the name suggests, a completely open shelf design sans frame. 

The Pros: Chic appearance, easy to clean, great for showcasing dinnerware/decor 

The Cons: May require more frequent cleaning, items on shelf are exposed to dust, debris, etc., less privacy

Style #5: Floor-to-Ceiling Cabinets

Lastly, this classic option blends organization and style into a single unique cabinet for your kitchen. 

Floor-to-ceiling cabinets feature an elongated design created to simplify kitchen storage and offer a seamless, built-in look. Commonly made from solid wood, this cabinet choice can also be crafted from MDF and will sometimes feature glass inserts. 
These cabinets are perfect for maximizing storage space in both smaller and larger kitchens. 

The Pros: Simplifies storage, saves space, easily customizable 

The Cons: Potentially complex installation, upper shelves may be difficult to reach, harder to modify

Choose the Best Kitchen Cabinets For Your Home 

Hopefully, this rundown simplified your search for the ideal kitchen cabinet. We find these types of kitchen cabinet styles to be highly versatile, stylish, and practical for many residential spaces. 

Whether you’re looking to elevate your kitchen with sleek open shelves or want to embrace a classic look with traditional shaker cabinets, Curated Kitchen Co. will walk you through the process from start to finish. Contact us today to get started!