35 Kitchen Cabinet Ideas for Every Design Style

Kitchen cabinets are a dominant visual element, significantly defining the space’s style.

The cabinet design itself—from sleek contemporary to rustic farmhouse—is as crucial as the color.

Whether you’re building new or remodeling, careful consideration is key, as cabinets are often the kitchen’s biggest expense.

To help you choose, we’re sharing our best kitchen cabinet ideas tailored to every design style.

Flat Panel Cabinet Doors

kitchen with white cabinets and green walls

These white upper flat panel cabinets across the kitchen are the epitome of simple—but they’re far from boring.

The white cabinets set the stage for the gorgeous green and white geometric tiled backsplash and botanical-theme wallpaper in this kitchen.

If you want to make a statement with the walls or backsplash, it’s a good idea to keep the cabinets more subdued.

Urban Contemporary

This colorful kitchen welcomes urban style with a hint of classic style. Strikingly squared-off, flat-front cabinets drive the contemporary scheme.

A creamy marble backsplash melds rich, traditional warmth with a popular updated palette.

Sleek gold drawer pulls echo the sleek appliances, while a wood floating shelf adds a bit of personality.

Modern Scandinavian Style

This kitchen’s bright light and crisp linear design is a model of modern Scandinavian inspiration.

The slab-front kitchen cabinet idea is often influenced by industrial style, but a thoughtful selection of materials and finishes gives these a softer appeal.

A solid black island adds a focal point that brings contrast to the otherwise sleek, minimal style.

Modern Country Cabinets

To really give your kitchen a wow factor, consider painting the cabinets in a gorgeous glossy forest green.

Pair them gold hardware, including the rails for a library ladder to roll when you need to reach something on the top shelves.

Glass front doors added to just a couple of those top shelves breaks up the green slightly.

Fluted Kitchen Cabinets

For fans of minimal designs but want to add some character to their kitchen, try a fluted look on the upper cabinets only.

This vertical fluted molding adds texture and visual interest but the light wood and black pulls used on all of the cabinets keeps them modest.

Want to push the envelope a bit more? Pair it with a marble countertop and backsplash and include a floating shelf in the same material just below the bottom of the upper cabinets.

Simple Storage

A mix of open and closed storage is both practical and aesthetically pleasing.

This kitchen mixes storage types and textures for a modern look with a farmhouse edge. The base cabinets establish the cottage style while grounding the functional room.

Glass-front cabinets—painted the same color as the lower cabinets—put dishes easily within reach overhead while displaying them with artistic appeal.

Colorful Cottage Kitchen

A light blue hue gives these country-inspired cabinets a charming makeover.

The glass-front cabinets paired with the vertical shiplap backsplash—painted the same color blue—create a cool backdrop for vintage-inspired copper elements and fresh greenery.

French Country Kitchen Cabinets

The applied molding and antique brass hardware infuse an elegant look on the off-white cabinets in this French country-inspired kitchen.

They also serve as the perfect backdrop for the rest of the vintage details throughout the room; namely, the set of floating glass and brass shelves that hang alongside the upper cabinets and display the most charming antique serveware.

Shaker-Style Cabinets

Traditional shaker-style cabinets are one of the most popular kitchen design choices.

Categorized by the simple rectangular frame and inset flat panel, this style of cabinet lends itself to almost any design style, from ultra-modern to French country.

The cabinet doors themselves act as a blank canvas, so you can use your hardware choices to reinforce your design style.

Tone-on-Tone

Bracketing a green range, these cabinets are painted a faint blue-green (Farrow & Ball Pavilion Blue) that picks up the brighter blue of the ceiling (which is inspired by the Haint blue ceilings of Southern porches).

Opting for drawers instead of lower cabinets makes it easier to access heavy items.

Brass hardware accents the cabinets and contrasts the silvery metallic tone of the range and hood for a collected feel.

Two-Toned Kitchen Cabinets

While the upper white Shaker style cabinets are classic, the lower sage green cabinets steal the show in this sunny and sweet kitchen.

They give the space a modern flair and pop against the white subway tile backsplash and quartz countertop.

The matte gold hardware adds further style and personality to the kitchen.

Glass Front Cabinets

Love the look of floating shelves, but don’t want your dishes to get dusty? Install glass doors on all of your upper cabinets and keep the lower cabinets basic.

Show off your favorite finds in the glass cabinets (ideally in a similar color palette) so they’ll draw attention.

Add vintage chrome hardware for an elegant finish.

Retro Contemporary

Beveled cabinetry frames inspired by a 1950s breakfront emphasize the retro and contemporary design elements in this blended-era kitchen.

The deep green cabinets bring a timeless, cozy feel, while sleek hardware and textured glass doors add an updated contemporary effect.

Sleek Transitional Style

You can have the best of traditional and contemporary styles with cabinetry based on Shaker-style construction.

Recessed panels inside flat-face frames boast traditional and modern characteristics.

These neutral gray cabinets set against a bright white kitchen and warm wood floors bring a modern feel to the traditional elements.

Colorful Kitchen Cabinets

Pin A Beautiful Mess

Add personality to your kitchen with brightly colored cabinets.

A row of neon yellow base cabinets gives this industrial-style kitchen a shot of vibrant color.

Reclaimed Wood Cabinets

Pin Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp

Reclaimed wood will lend your kitchen cabinets a modern rustic style.

In this mountain home kitchen, both the flooring and a wall of built-in cabinetry are made from the same 200-year-old reclaimed beechwood from a fallen Ohio barn.

Two-Tone Kitchen Cabinets

Pin Mindy Gayer Design Co.

Two-tone kitchen cabinets can add interest and dimension to your kitchen.

Pair Shaker-style cabinets in shades of white and midnight blue to complement a transitional style kitchen.

Corner Cabinetry

Pin Design by Cathie Hong Interiors / Margaret Austin Photo

Paint corner cabinets in a fresh color like sky blue color to add color to a midcentury modern kitchen.

Add contrast with black door knobs and pulls.

Black Shaker Cabinets

Pin Mary Patton Design

Run cabinets all the way to the ceiling to maximize space.

Black Shaker cabinets with polished brass hardware give this traditional black-and-white kitchen an elegant look.

Pyramid Panel Doors

Pin Whittney Parkinson Design

Pyramid panel doors add dimension to a neutral space.

Mix the decorative upper cabinets with simple Shaker base cabinetry and accent with polished brass hardware to complement a statement range hood.

Ombre Kitchen Cabinets

Pin Dazey Den

A small kitchen can still pack a ton of color and style.

Create a retro feel by painting perforated wood sliding cabinet doors in a sunny-hued ombre look in shades of yellow and orange.

Coastal Kitchen Cabinets

Pin Tyler Karu Design and Interiors

If you’re lucky enough to have a large kitchen with expansive windows, sometimes it’s best to leave all the storage below the countertops.

Paint base cabinets dark gray-blue and leave vertical shiplap walls bare, like this minimalist coastal kitchen for an airy atmosphere.

Modern Cabinet Hardware

Pin Design by @houseofchais and @claaiireetaan / Renovation by @mjstc_sg / Instagram

Make over kitchen cabinets without remodeling by swapping out cabinet hardware.

Brass half moon cabinet pulls dress up standard white cabinets to give this kitchen a modern ambiance.

Raised Panel Cabinet Doors

Pin Design by Lindsey Brooke Design / Photo by Amy Bartlam

Raised panel doors will add dimension to kitchen cabinetry.

All the cabinetry and drawers are kept at the bottom to allow the large windows to take center stage.

Traditional Brass Hardware

Pin deVOL Kitchens

Brass hardware will complement both traditional and modern kitchens.

In a traditional space, pair burgundy cabinets with brass knobs, pulls, and cup handles for a classic combination backed by rich ochre walls.

Handleless Kitchen Cabinets

Pin Liljencrantz Design

Create a more minimalist feel with handleless kitchen cabinets.

In this space, the lack of hardware allows the simple beauty of wood cabinetry to shine.

Frosted Glass-Front Cabinets

Pin Mary Patton Design

Lighten up a block of cabinets with frosted glass-front doors that offer a glimpse of the colorful glassware displayed inside.

Try fluted, ribbed, or reeded glass for a semi-opaque effect with added texture.

Brass Inlay Joinery

Pin Marie Flanigan Interiors

Give wood cabinets a polished look with brass inlay joinery details and matching hardware.

Pair the rich wood with white walls and pale marble countertops, backsplash, and open shelving for a high-contrast design.

Sage Green Cabinets

Pin Ashley Montgomery Design

Sage green kitchen cabinets are on trend yet timeless.

Use soothing green paint on base cabinets and skip upper cabinets in favor of a white backsplash to create a light and airy feel.

Chrome Bar Pulls

Pin Design by Cathie Hong Interiors / Christy Q. Photo

Chrome bar pulls will reinforce the cool-toned, pale gray cabinetry.

This California kitchen has a Scandi-style quality with its shades of white and gray.

Natural Wood Cabinets

Pin Ashley Montgomery Design

Balance simple wood cabinetry with dramatic finishes.

Honey-toned wood cabinetry adds warmth and simplicity to elaborate painted crown molding, heavily veined stone, and a painted island and range hood in this spacious kitchen.

Hinged Cabinet Doors

Pin Design by LAVA Interiors / Photo by William Lavalette

Swap cabinet hardware for hinged doors for a contemporary look.

These black cabinets feature sleek hinged cabinet doors that keep spices easily accessible.

Bright White

“I think white cabinetry in a kitchen is timeless. It’s fresh, clean, and versatile.

It allows for fabric, art, and light fixtures to really pop and become focal points in a room,” says Smith.

“I love pairing a crisp white paint color, such as Benjamin Moore’s Chantilly Lace (OC-65), with a creamy paint to warm up an interior.”

Subtle Details

Reminiscent of a laid-back English farmhouse kitchen, detailed cutouts on the cabinetry add a timeless look to the built-ins.

Camouflage

Alabama Cabin Kitchen with Black Walls and Natural Wood Island Table

Slather your cabinets in the same paint color as the walls to make them blend right in.

Here, deep black walls and cabinets open up the kitchen paired with vibrant details.

Light Blue

Not a neutral but still not too bold a color, light blue is a splendid choice for cabinet colors.

You won’t see this hue going out of style any time soon.

Navy Blue

Pantry with dark blue cabinetry and walls

Like light blue, very deep blue is a stellar choice for a subtle inclusion of color.

Choose a navy with green undertones for borderline-turquoise cabinets, or a blue with a gray tinge to match a steely color palette.

Wood-Forward

Don’t feel like you need to go straight for the paint swatches to upgrade your cabinets.

Letting wood shine is a stellar way to embrace their natural beauty. For an upgrade, consider trying a new wood stain to change the look of wood-front cabinets.

Black

As Smith said, white kitchens are a classic.

On the other end of the color gradient however, black offers a striking neutral, especially when alongside other white details.

Two-Tone

Why paint your cabinets all one color when you can choose two?

Start by switching the shade of island cabinets to differ from built-in cabinets on the wall.

Go Green

Green kitchen cabinets are the hight of home fashion these days—and it’s not just one shade of green that’s shining so brightly.

Deep, moody green is just as lovely as hunter green, sage green, and beyond.

Slate Gray

Sophisticated and timeless, you can’t steer wrong with a nice and clean gray.

They are a reliable foundation kitchens with a neutral color palette or for spaces with brightly colored walls and furniture.

Keep It Low

Depending on your layout and storage needs, cabinets going only so high as the counter top may be all you need.

Augment your kitchen with a pantry to make up for spare stuff and decorate the empty space above the countertops with charming open shelving.

Get Inspired By Wallpaper

Idea House 2023 Breakfast Nook Breakfast Room

For wallpapered kitchens, choose your pattern first before picking a paint to coordinate.

In our Idea House, cabinets are painted a dainty green to match adjacent wallpaper perfectly.

Glass-Front

Florida Cracker Style Home Blue and White Kitchen in New Old House

Glass-front cabinets are a classic kitchen design move, especially when contained to the top cabinets.

Beware however, that you’ll need to keep the contents inside glass-front cabinets orderly for a neat look.

Curtains

2021 Idea House Kitchen with Painted Floors

If tidy cabinet interiors is too big an ask, or just for some extra flair, decorate glass-front cabinets with a cute curtain.

Choose a color or pattern that complements other hues in the room or for more continuity, choose the same fabric to adorn a skirted kitchen sink.

Sky-High

“Not installing kitchen cabinets all the way to the ceiling [is a mistake].

My client recently asked if she should install her new kitchen cabinets to the ceiling or leave a gap between the upper cabinets and ceiling.

A gap used to be standard while designing a kitchen, but ultimately you are sacrificing storage and there is nothing worse than inadequate storage in a kitchen,” reveals Smith. “Not to mention it is also a dust collector!”

Shaker Style

“Go for something simple and sleek,” advises Smith.

“A Shaker style cabinet paired with beautiful hardware can make your kitchen feel updated and modern.”

Match To Appliances

Coordinate the shade of your cabinets with the color of kitchen appliances.

Here, the oven doesn’t contrast from the cabinets so sharply, but instead blends right in.

Wood Paneling

In this kitchen, panels of white oak form stunning cabinets when stained honey-blond.

As an added bonus, the cabinets match the floors wonderfully.