Two Main Types of Cabinets (2024)

FAQs

Two Main Types of Cabinets? ›

The cabinet construction type refers to just the cabinet box, not the cabinet doors. There are two types of cabinet construction: framed and frameless. Frame Cabinets have a frame that attaches to the front of the cabinet. The face-frame gives the cabinet box extra strength.

The Shaker-style cabinet door is the most common door style in kitchens today. This five-piece flat-panel style has a frame made from four pieces and a single flat center panel for the fifth piece. Shaker gets its name from the distinctive Shaker furniture style, which uses simple, clean lines and emphasizes utility.

There are two main types of cabinet construction offered to US consumers today: framed and frameless (Euro style). Each has structural and stylistic advantages and disadvantages. Other construction options include ready-to-assemble (RTA) cabinets and refacing cabinets with new fronts only.

Base Cabinet

A cabinet that sits on the floor. These cabinets usually support the countertops. They differ from wall cabinets which hang on the wall. Base cabinets are typically 24″ deep, and vary by width.

Choosing the right type of kitchen cabinet can be a daunting task as cabinets come in endless styles and types; stock, custom, semi custom, shaker, flat, tall cabinets, base cabinets, recessed panel – the list goes on.

There are three basic types of cabinetry: stock, semi-custom and custom cabinets. Each type provides different advantages depending on your needs and budget.

Plywood: The highest quality kitchen cabinets are made of cabinet-grade multi-layer plywood. Plywood cabinets are strong, easier to install and considerably lighter in weight than MDF or particleboard cabinets. While more expensive, plywood cabinets are a good choice if you expect to own the house for a long period.

Standard kitchen base cabinet widths are 12, 18, 24, 30, 33, 36, and 48 inches. Standard kitchen wall cabinet widths are 12 to 36 inches and standard heights are 30, 36, and 42 inches.

Defining Traditional Kitchen Cabinets

Cabinets that are traditional often make use of rich, deep wood tones like mahogany or cherry, and tend to incorporate slopes, curves, and easy edges as opposed to a modern design's sharper edges.

Modern kitchen cabinets feature flat slab doors that avoid excessive details. No crown molding, raised panels or decorative carvings are seen, emphasizing flat, sleek surfaces instead. The simplicity of a modern kitchen design allows for a more spacious and airy feel in your kitchen.

What are two tone cabinets? ›

It involves playing with different variations to paint your kitchen cabinets two different colors, usually by contrasting the upper and lower cabinets. A frequent iteration of the look includes a darker color for the lower cabinets and a lighter shade for higher shelves.

Timeless Kitchen Cabinet Colors

Two-tone and contrasting cabinets are a timeless way to add visual interest to any kitchen. You can install wall cabinets in one color and an island in a contrasting hue or choose one color for the lower cabinets and another for the upper cabinets.

Shaker Cabinets

These types of cabinets feature a flat, recessed center panel surrounded by a frame. While some designers are seeing less of a demand for shaker cabinets in favor of other cabinet trends, shaker cabinets will never truly go out of style because of their timeless blend of form and function.

Open-Shelving

These design updates are giving way to trends in glass-fronted cabinetry and open shelving. “This design choice is partly driven by a desire to display beautiful kitchenware but also to create a sense of openness and airiness in the kitchen,” Brophy says.

In terms of broader, full-kitchen cabinet designs, top trending choices include Modern Farmhouse featuring neutral colors and rustic detailing; Urban Industrial that mixes metals with warm tones for an edgier look; and Classic Contemporary that combines synthetic and natural materials for a bold experience.

1. Shaker-style cabinetry. Starting off strong with shaker-style cabinetry. Distinctly minimal with a clean design, a shaker-style kitchen has a timeless elegance.