Guide to Kitchen Cabinet Types and Styles
East Coast Granite of Virginia - October 17, 2023
When you type “types of cabinet” into Google, you’ll get an array of words such as “styles,” “grades,” and “types” used to describe the same thing in some places and different in others. It can be exciting to choose cabinets for your kitchen, but with so many concepts and options where do you begin? While it is great to have choices, it can be overwhelming without an understanding of all the options available and how to use them to make the kitchen of your dreams. This guide will help you understand these terms better. But remember, we do free design consultations to help you get the most out of your kitchen space!
Cabinet Quality Grades
There are three different grades of cabinets: stock, semi-custom, and custom. You should decide on your budget for your cabinets upfront before you peruse the choices available.
Stock
Stock cabinets are a basic, economic option that are pre-sized by their manufacturer. They are mass-produced and available in fixed sizes. However, our phenomenal install team can sometimes make modifications for that custom look. These cabinets are constructed on-site. They are primarily constructed of plywood sides and backs with wood doors. Stock cabinets offer an economic style with a beautiful design.
Semi Custom
These cabinets mark the mid-range option in price point. They have a broader selection in both style and material and allow for some size adjustment. Semi-custom cabinets usually offer a range of styles, materials, finishes, and accessories. They are one of a kind with tailored sizes. While the design possibilities are infinite, these cabinets are harder on the budget. However, you will also get exactly what you want.
Custom
On the high end, custom cabinets are completely made to order and offer the widest range of styles, materials, finishes, and accessories. They are one of a kind with tailored sizes. While design options are limitless, these are definitely high-end cabinets.
Basic Types of Cabinets
When choosing cabinets, you’ll need to consider all the types you will need for your kitchen remodel. There are four different types of cabinets: Base, Wall, Tall, and Specialty Units.
Base Cabinet
Base cabinets are the heavy lifters of cabinetry. They provide most of the storage space and sit on the ground beneath countertops. These cabinets create new possibilities throughout the kitchen. Standard base cabinets are usually 24 inches deep and 36 inches tall. They are used as kitchen storage and islands, window seating, and bathroom vanities.
Wall Cabinet
Wall cabinets or the 'upper' cabinets provide much-needed storage space above the countertops. Upper cabinetry is typically 12 inches deep. They are the most important for the remodeling process as they are the most visible and carry the looks. These cabinets have many uses beyond food storage. They can serve as entertainment centers, laundry room storage, and dish storage.
Tall Cabinet
Tall cabinets or pantry cabinets top many other cabinets in terms of height and storage. They start from the floor and extend to the ceiling and are available in sizes up to 96 inches in height. These cabinets are used for pantry and utility storage. They can give the kitchen a dramatically vertical look.
Specialty Cabinet
Specialty units are the most important for the kitchen’s functionality and design. They add square footage and organization. Specialty cabinets include corner cabinets, sink and cooktop fronts, bottle racks, and microwave base. These cabinets add function and style.
Cabinet Styles
There are six different types of cabinet styles that we offer: Shaker, Specialty Shaker, Maui, Raised Panel, and Glass Panel. The style of your cabinets can make a space look contemporary and chic or more traditional. Your cabinet style should always tie the look of your kitchen together.
Shaker
Shaker is the most popular style of kitchen cabinets. They have a recessed center panel with clean lines and are used in modern and traditional styles. The framing of the recessed panel with sleek lines of the full overlay door is a unique, chic design. The shaker line is available in the colors white, antique white, gray, and espresso.
Specialty Shaker
Specialty Shaker is a variation on the traditional shaker cabinet door. The specialty shaker tends to have extra detailing on the door either through double edging or extra molding. These cabinets are offered in white, french vanilla, richmond stone, and richmond white.