ON TREND Cabinet Doors Styles

by TruKitchens

Cabinet Door Styles

Matching your design aesthetic

TODAY, MANY HOMEOWNERS are looking to create a specific design aesthetic that reflects their personal style. They come to their initial design consultation with a general understanding of the types of interior design styles and where their preferences lie. It is a cabinet designer’s job to help them execute this design aesthetic through their cabinet door style and finish selections.

When considering the overall design aesthetic, the door style is the biggest influence, second is the overlay choice. Cabinet overlay refers to the way the door integrates with the cabinet box. Types include partial overlay doors, full overlay doors, and inset doors.

Partial Overlay cabinet doors have been around for many years and are easily recognizable. The doors only cover part of the frame of the cabinet leaving larger visible gaps between doors or drawers. This door type fits well with a more traditional design aesthetic. While it is the least expensive overlay option, it has fallen out of favor due to increased interest in inset cabinetry.

Interior Design: Whit and Willow Photo by: Ashley Avila Photography Interior Design: Kathryn Chaplow Interior Design Photo by: Werner Straube Photography

Full Overlay cabinet doors overlap the box almost entirely and can be used on framed or frameless constructed boxes. This type leaves very tight gaps between doors or drawers, creating a seamless look throughout the space and lends itself to a contemporary or transitional style. This type of door requires more custom fabrication and installation and will price between a partial overlay and inset style.

Inset cabinet doors sit inside the cabinet frame flush with the box, exposing the entire frame. Because of this flush detail, it has a more refined look than the partial overlay. This style has been around since the earliest days of cabinet making and works well with traditional and transitional styles. This is the most custom door type requiring very precise fabrication and installation, also making it the most expensive option.

Interior Design: Vision Interiors Photo by: Ashley Avila Photography

While the overlay detail complements specific interior design styles, the door style does even more so. Door style refers to the design of the door and drawer fronts, the most visible part of the cabinet. Each cabinet line has their own collection of door styles, but they generally fall into the following categories: flat panel, recessed panel, raised panel, and insert panel.

Flat Panel or slab, cabinet doors are one flat surface with little to no decorative elements. They are most often used as a full overlay door. This door style can be made from wood, metal, or synthetic materials, creating a very wide range of design opportunities. This door style pairs well with contemporary or modern design aesthetics.

Recessed Panel cabinet doors have a flat center panel set back from a frame. They can be used as a full overlay, partial overlay, or inset door. The center panel can be reeded, beaded, divided into sections, and more. The frame of the door can have a variety of profiles which can help to influence a more modern, transitional, or traditional look. The wide range of these options makes it the most versatile door, and thus, the most popular. The shaker door style is great example.

Raised Panel cabinet doors have a middle panel that is raised above the rest of the door with a recessed border around it. They can be used as a full overlay, partial overlay, or inset door. The panel can be arched or straight. Both the panel and recessed border can feature a variety of profiles and details. This door style is commonly used in traditional, rustic, and country styling.

Insert Panel cabinet doors have a frame that captures a different material for the center of the door. The frame of the door can match the cabinetry or even be a different material such as metal. The most common insert example is glass which can come in a variety of looks. However, the choice of materials is endless: from metal, fabric, and wood and beyond. Decorative mullion inserts can be added as well to enhance the design. This door can be used for any overlay type and the materials selected allow it to work with all design styles.

At TruKitchens, our cabinet lines have been carefully selected to offer our clients variety, durability, and quality. The huge array of door styles and finishes we offer are sure to meet the design needs of even the most imaginative client. Our designers are well-versed in the depth of products we offer and the many components of interior design. We are passionate about employing creativity along with functionality to help our clients to create their dream spaces.

Jessica Fitnich

Senior Designer, TruKitchens 616.957.1969 hello@trukitchens.com trukitchens.com