THE BEST KITCHEN CABINET DESIGN IDEAS

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Helen Norman

In recent years, kitchens have become popular spaces for renovation. When you step into a kitchen, the cabinetry often catches your eye before anything else. Therefore, choosing the right cabinet design style can significantly impact the overall design of the space.

Cabinets are not just about stashing stuff away—they also make the place look good and with endless possibilities available for kitchen cabinetry, finding the perfect style can be daunting.

If you’re seeking a design that can instantly transform the mood of your kitchen, here are 17 inspiring kitchen cabinet design ideas to fuel your renovation journey.

The Best Kitchen cabinet designs


1. Shaker Style Cabinets

Shaker-style kitchen cabinets are characterized by their clean lines and simple and functional design, they often feature recessed panel doors and minimal hardware.

Whether you want your kitchen to look modern or traditional shaker-style cabinet design makes a very sound choice.

Shaker-style cabinet design splits the difference between the look of traditional kitchen cabinetry and modern contemporary cabinets. Their style is the perfect embodiment of a timeless design.

Shaker style cabinets give kitchen cabinets immense versatility as they look ideal on either traditional style kitchen or modern kitchen design. You won’t grow tired of this classic style, and if you decide to refresh your kitchen design in a few years, your cabinets can stay put while the rest of the room evolves around them.

The color you choose for your cabinets will have a profound impact on how your kitchen looks and feels (check out the best kitchen cabinet paints.)

No matter what kitchen you are planning opting for shaker shaker-style cabinet design is a strong investment that will serve you for many years.

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2. Modern kitchen Cabinets

Alright, picture this: modern kitchen cabinets are all about those sleek lines, minimalist vibes, and practical designs. Think flat-panel doors and understated hardware for that clean, contemporary look. Whether you’re going for that trendy urban feel or a chic, minimalist style, modern cabinet design is where it’s at 😊.

These cabinets are like the cool kids of the kitchen—they blend the best of traditional and contemporary styles, giving off this timeless vibe that never gets old.

Seriously, they’re like the jeans of kitchen design—versatile, stylish, and always in fashion.

So, if you’re thinking about revamping your kitchen, going for a modern cabinet design is a no-brainer. Not only do they bring that sleek, sophisticated look, but they also promise years of practicality and style. It’s like hitting the jackpot in kitchen design, trust me.

3. Contemporary Cabinets

Mod Cabinetry

These types of cabinets draw inspiration from past years’ styles while staying true to present-era designs. Contemporary kitchen cabinets incorporate what is currently trending, such as natural elements and modern-style accents like clean lines and sharp edges, creating a homier feeling without overwhelming the design with preceding styles.

One of the biggest advantages of choosing contemporary kitchen cabinet design is that they blend seamlessly and effortlessly by combining various styles.

If you are planning a kitchen makeover, contemporary cabinets are a great choice as they strike the perfect balance between classic and modern design principles.

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4. Drawer Cabinets

Do you love a seamless blend and functionality? If you do, replacing your kitchen cabinets with drawers is a smart idea. Drawers not only offer additional storage and better accessibility, but they provide a cleaner aesthetic too.

Remember when considering a kitchen makeover, you don’t just focus on style – another goal is to make the space as functional as it could possibly get.

5. Open Shelving Kitchen Cabinet Design

Over the years, kitchen cabinet design has shifted away from traditional cabinetry, replacing it with casual open storage that allows easy accessibility, effortless organization and prettily displayed collections.

22 Easy Kitchen Organization Ideas

By eliminating doors, open shelving creates an open and airy atmosphere, perfect for showcasing decorative items or frequently used cookware, making it ideal for those who enjoy a more minimalist aesthetic.

Additionally, it adds a touch of personality to the kitchen, as homeowners can style the shelves with their favorite dishes, plants, or artwork.

Now this, is a top-notch kitchen cabinet idea, especially if you’re working with a small space and aiming for that spacious feel.

6. Farmhouse Cabinet Design

includes many farmhouse elements: in-frame Shaker cabinets, an island with timber worktop, Aga cooker, and open shelving.

Similar to rustic style but with a more refined and nostalgic charm, farmhouse cabinets often feature beadboard panels, decorative hardware, and vintage-inspired details.

Farmhouse kitchen cabinets are timeless classics that define traditional interior design fashion. They feature traditional visual aesthetics, often with distressed wood finishes, capturing the essence of classic farmhouse style.

They come in a variety of colors and shapes, offering a range of design options to suit any kitchen. Made primarily of natural wood materials, farmhouse cabinets are durable and long-lasting, providing excellent value for money compared to artificial alternatives.

With their straightforward designs, farmhouse cabinets emphasize practicality and can complement both traditional and modern kitchen styles.

They offer convenience and cost-effectiveness, making them a popular choice for homeowners seeking stylish yet functional cabinetry.

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7. Mirrored Kitchen Cabinets

Using mirrors in cabinet doors is like bringing extra sunshine into your kitchen. Whether they’re replacing glass doors or nestled behind mullions, mirrors add a whole new level of light and reflection.

It’s like a little magic trick—they give off the vibe of glass doors but keep your cabinet contents hidden. So, you get all the style without the clutter, making your kitchen feel even more spacious and bright.

Adding visual interest and the illusion of space, mirrored cabinets reflect light and surroundings, making the kitchen appear larger and brighter.

8. Two Tone Kitchen Cabinet Design


 Mindy Gayer Design Co.

Two-tone kitchen cabinets are a modern twist that instantly jazzes up your space.

Painting the lower cabinets in rich, dark hues like navy or forest green adds a solid base to the room while opting for white or light neutrals on the upper cabinets brings in that airy, open vibe up top.

But wait, there’s more 😉!

You can mix and match painted and natural finishes to add an extra layer of warmth to your modern kitchen. Think of it like creating your own personalized palette—combining two complementary colors or finishes adds a pop of contrast that’s sure to catch the eye.

So, with two-toned kitchen cabinets, you’re doubling the fun and doubling the style. It’s a win-win!

9. Ceiling Height Cabinets

©Sarah London Photographer.

Ceiling-height cabinets have been getting a lot of attention and hype lately.

And hey, not only do you get more storage, but this setup also goes with pretty much any kitchen style you can think of—from old-school vibes to super modern looks.

When it comes down to it, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer for cabinet heights—it’s all about what floats your boat. Making the right decision just requires a decent chunk of consideration for the space that is available, the amount of storage you need, and the overall look you are going for.

10. Counter Top Cabinet Design

Countertop kitchen cabinets are cabinets that sit directly on the kitchen counter, rather than being mounted on the wall or suspended from above.

They typically provide additional storage space within easy reach of the countertop surface.

11. Built-in Kitchen Cabinet Design

These are custom-made cabinets that are installed directly into the walls or structure of the kitchen.

Unlike freestanding cabinets, which can be moved around, built-in cabinets are designed to fit seamlessly into the space, maximizing storage and creating a cohesive look by integrating appliances into your cabinets.

From refrigerators to dishwashers they can be tailored to fit specific dimensions and configurations.

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12. Open Shelving + Closed Cabinet Design

A Beautiful Mess

Open shelves serve as a platform for showcasing decorative pieces, while closed cabinets offer discreet storage for less visually appealing items. This combination allows for a balanced and organized space, where both style and functionality are seamlessly incorporated.

Match painted open shelves to lower cabinetry for a cohesive look or highlight standout features in your kitchen.

The color you choose for your cabinets will have a profound impact on how your kitchen looks and feels (check out the best kitchen cabinet paints.)

13. Glass front cabinets

Source

Glass-front cabinets are like the fancy touch that can really jazz up a kitchen. They’re not just for show either—they add a bit of flair and let you show off your fancy dishes or special trinkets.

Plus, they make your kitchen look bigger by giving it some depth, which is a neat trick designers use all the time. So yeah, they’re not just pretty faces—they’re pretty smart too 🙂!

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14. Handleless Cabinets

Handleless kitchens used to be just a small design detail, but now they’re all the rage.

People are loving them because they’re super modern and sleek, which fits perfectly with minimalist styles and the need to save space.

Handleless cabinets are so adaptable and practical, plus they never go out of style. They’re a hit because they give kitchens that clean, streamlined look that’s just so classy.

And it’s not just the kitchen—handleless cabinets are popping up in bathrooms, laundry rooms, and even entertainment spaces all over the place. Seems like everyone’s on board with the sleek vibes!

15. Horizontal Upper Cabinets

Maite Granda

Departing from traditional vertical cabinet designs, horizontal upper cabinets offer a modern twist to traditional kitchen cabinet design.

Instead of the typical vertical orientation, these cabinets stretch horizontally along the wall. Horizontal upper cabinets are not just a design style decision; they also provide easy access to items up top.

This design choice not only adds a contemporary flair to the kitchen but also maximizes storage space while maintaining a sleek and streamlined appearance.

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16. Lower Cabinets Only

 Ashley Montgomery Design

There’s no denying that there’s a definite sort of new trend of having a kitchen without any upper cabinets.

First off can you have a kitchen without any upper cabinets? Yes, absolutely, in fact as I have said designing kitchens without any upper cabinets is becoming a bit more of a trend in the world of kitchen cabinet design.

You may want to design your kitchen without any upper cabinets for a variety of reasons whether that be for style and aesthetic or in fact for some more practical and functional reasons.

Installing lower cabinets only will help you create a more open feeling reducing the claustrophobic and heavy feeling you get sometimes when you cram too many things into your kitchen.

Not having any upper cabinets, especially around any windows can really help to let more light into the room giving it that bright and airy feel and who doesn’t want that 🙂?

17. Wraparound Kitchen Cabinet Design

The wraparound kitchen cabinet design maximizes storage and creates a seamless look by encircling the entire kitchen space.

This layout offers abundant storage options and ensures all available wall space is utilized efficiently. With cabinets spanning from one end to the other, you’ll have ample room to store kitchen essentials, gadgets, and cookware.

The wraparound design also enhances the aesthetic appeal of the kitchen, providing a cohesive and unified look. It’s a practical and stylish solution for optimizing kitchen cabinet design.

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18. Brass trim destail on kitchen cabinets

marie flanagan interiors

In the realm of kitchen design, it’s the subtle details that often make the most significant impact.

Take, for instance, the timeless allure of brass trim on kitchen cabinets. This design choice effortlessly elevates the entire aesthetic, infusing a sense of class and sophistication into any space.

19. match the cabinets to the floor

In a well-designed kitchen, cabinets and flooring stand out as the primary elements shaping the overall aesthetic.

Achieving harmony between them requires careful consideration of color and material.

A successful pairing can elevate the entire space, enhancing its appeal, whether for personal enjoyment or resale value. Whether you prefer contrasting or complementary colors, these cabinet designs offer flexibility and timeless elegance.

The color you choose for your cabinets will have a profound impact on how your kitchen looks and feels (check out the best kitchen cabinet paints.)

20. arched kitchen cabinets

Ashley Montgomery Design


Curves are indeed making their mark in kitchen design, bringing a sense of freshness and dynamism to the culinary space.

Departing from rigid geometric forms, these softer edges not only enhance aesthetics but also offer practical benefits.

While opting for curved cabinets might involve a higher investment, there are cost-effective ways to embrace this trend. Integrating curved statement pieces like kitchen islands or storage cabinets can infuse elegance into the kitchen without requiring a complete overhaul.

The standard kitchen cabinets and the traditional boxy layout of kitchens seem to have lost their appeal for some. Adding curves and unconventional elements can inject visual interest into kitchens without compromising functionality.

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21. Kitchen Island cabinets

 Design by Velinda Hellen Design / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp

An island base cabinet is the same as a regular base kitchen cabinet 🙂 It is just a cabinet that sits on the floor.

They’re awesome because they offer extra storage, prep space, and even a spot to grab a quick meal. Plus, they come in a variety of styles to suit any kitchen. Basically, they’re the multitasking MVPs of kitchen furniture!

CHECKOUT KITCHEN ISLAND IDEAS BY WHOLESALECABINETS.US

22. finish with crown molding

 JK Interior Living

This addition isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about taking your kitchen design to the next level.

First off, crown molding isn’t just a pretty face—it’s functional too. It’s perfect for hiding any gaps between your cabinets and the ceiling, giving your kitchen a seamless and polished look. Plus, it adds a touch of texture and personality to the room, instantly elevating the overall vibe.

Whether you opt for a traditional or modern style, crown molding has a knack for making any kitchen feel more sophisticated and upscale.

And the best part?

There’s a crown molding style to suit every taste and interior design aesthetic. So whether you’re going for classic elegance or contemporary chic, you’re sure to find the perfect match for your kitchen.

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23. MODERN FARMHOUSE kitchen cabinets

 Ashley Montgomery Design

Modern farmhouse kitchen is a testament to the beauty of simplicity. It’s about embracing the warmth and charm of farmhouse style while infusing it with the clean, minimalist aesthetic of modern design.

And the result? A space that feels effortlessly chic and endlessly inviting—a true sanctuary in the heart of your home.

It’s like bringing a touch of rustic charm into the 21st century.

24. black rustic kitchen cabinets

Black rustic kitchen cabinets bring a cozy yet stylish vibe to your home’s heart.

Whether you’re into the classic charm of stained wood or prefer a modern twist with sleek black finishes, these cabinets add character and warmth.

Picture the inviting atmosphere of a rustic kitchen, where every detail eels like a comforting embrace.

Whether you’re planning a major renovation or looking for budget-friendly updates, black rustic cabinets have got you covered for a kitchen that’s as chic as it is comfy.

25. moody kitchen cabinets

 Leclair Decor

Dark kitchen cabinets are back in style, giving the classic all-white look a run for its money. From deep blacks to rich browns and blues, these bold colors bring drama to any kitchen.

Moody decor is trendy and timeless, adding elegance and refinement to your space.

So if you’re ready to embrace the dark side, this cabinet design is for you.

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26. fluted kitchen cabinets

Jenna Sue

Cabinet fluting adds both style and functionality to your kitchen.

This type of vertical wood molding features shallow or deep grooves, reminiscent of ancient Greek and Roman architecture.

You can choose from various styles of fluting for your kitchen cabinets, ranging from individually applied curved pieces to simple wooden slats.

And the best part? You can DIY fluting with tutorials found online, making it a customizable and budget-friendly option to elevate your kitchen’s design.

So, when it comes down to it, picking out your kitchen cabinets is a big deal.

They’re not just for storing your pots and pans—they’re a major part of how your kitchen looks and feels. Whether you’re going for a modern vibe, a classic feel, or something totally out there, your cabinets are what ties the whole room together.

And with endless options available, from classic styles to innovative designs, there’s something out there to suit every taste and lifestyle.

Just remember to think about stuff like how your kitchen’s set up, what colors you’re into, and the vibe you’re going for when you’re picking out your cabinets. Get a little creative, keep it practical, and bam! You’ll have a kitchen that’s both gorgeous and totally you.

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