Cabinet Door Styles

The design of kitchen cabinets evolves quickly with changing trends. To select a cabinet door that suits your style, it helps to understand how cabinet doors have transformed over the past 60 years. Cabinet doors come in various styles, including flat designs, redesigns, edging, vertical scoring, and many more. The changes in cabinet door styles have been significant, and there are numerous fun styles that have been forgotten over the last few decades.

Over the past century, kitchen cabinet concepts have undergone many changes. In the early 1900s, storage space in kitchens was limited, and kitchen essentials were often stored on a work table or a few open shelves. Kitchen cabinetry did not exist, except in high-end homes that may have had a pantry.

Kitchen layouts began to take shape in the early 1900s when more storage and strategic layouts were introduced. Kitchens began to be designed in a way to fit the needs of those preparing and serving food. Industrial appliances also became more commons while detached pantries became less common.

In the early 1900s, kitchen layouts began to evolve with the introduction of more storage and strategic designs that catered to the needs of those preparing and serving food. Additionally, industrial appliances became more common, while detached pantries became less popular.

During this time, many kitchens had either waist-level or overhead-only cabinets, whereas nowadays, it is more common to have floor-to-ceiling cabinetry in homes.

In the 1950s, vintage-style cabinets were often made of steel and were commonly manufactured in old weaponry factories. Manufacturers also offered small units called cabinettes, which were also made of steel. Wood cabinets were still being produced during this era and often featured flat panels, creating a sleek mid-century modern look.

In the 1960s, kitchens underwent another transformation with the introduction of more wood tones. Birch was a popular choice for cabinets, as hardwood added a comforting feeling to most kitchens and made the space feel more inviting than the previous metal cabinets. Many kitchens still featured colorful appliances, which complemented the wooden cabinets beautifully.

During this time, flat cabinet doors remained popular, but ornamental designs began to emerge. Shiplap-inspired styles became trendy, and some designs even ditched cabinet hardware altogether.

In the 1970s, raised panel cabinet doors became popular, as colonial style became trendy and influenced all aspects of design. The machinery used to make doors also improved, making the process of building doors more economically and technologically advanced.

During the 1970s and 1980s, raised panel cabinets were the most popular style, featuring doors with a raised center panel to add dimension. These doors were available in a variety of colors, including oranges and yellows. Some homeowners preferred the all-wood look, which was also gaining popularity at the time.

The style of the raised panel cabinet evolved in the 1970s, with more design features like bevels and etching added to create additional design elements.

In the 1980s, kitchen designs began to move towards more open spaces, with kitchens becoming less confined. Ventilation systems also improved during this time, allowing for more open-concept kitchens. Wood kitchen cabinets remained popular in the 1980s, while ornate cabinet designs became less common. Kitchen designs focused more on design elements like archways, bottom arches on cabinets, and curved rails on top of cabinets.

 From the 1990s to present day, cabinet designs have continued to shift, with many incorporating styles from the past. The shaker door has become an iconic design of this era, known for its clean lines and simplicity.

The shaker style door has become a staple in cabinet design, with many incorporating accent trim to add personality to the kitchen. The simple door design lends itself well to ornamentation and can be easily customized to fit the desired aesthetic.

Versatility has become a focus when designing a kitchen, with many homeowners opting for a simple, neutral color or wood stain to add style to even the most basic cabinet design. Clean lines and contemporary styles have also become popular in the 2000s, with many embracing a minimalist approach to kitchen design.

 Painted cabinets have become popular again, with homeowners choosing bold colors to create a design statement in their kitchen. Vibrant cabinet hues can add life to a simple cabinet design, while cabinets with intricate designs and etching are often left neutral or natural to allow the design to shine.

The top cabinet door designs vary from year to year and decade to decade, but current favorites include the Milbrook, Milbrook II, Brookside, Vesta, Chatham, and Alexandria. These styles incorporate elements that have been popular for decades in a new and original way, making them versatile enough to fit both contemporary and traditional designs.

When choosing a door style for your cabinets, it’s important to consider a variety of factors, including your design style, the style of your home, and the aesthetic you enjoy most. With so many door designs available, there’s bound to be a style that meets your needs and suits your personal taste.