If you’ve read my Guide to Cabinetry post, you already know the basics - construction types, materials, styles, and all the little things that go into making smart cabinetry decisions. If you haven’t, I highly recommend starting there. It’s a great foundation to help you understand the structure behind the beauty.
Today, I’m diving into something more personal: my favorite cabinetry options. Over the years, I've found myself drawn again and again to certain styles, details, and finishes - choices that feel timeless, versatile, and thoughtfully designed. Whether you’re knee-deep in a kitchen remodel or just collecting ideas for someday, this post will give you a sense of where to begin and what to look for when choosing cabinetry that feels like you.
Why Inset Cabinets Win My Heart
If I had to choose just one cabinetry construction style for every kitchen, it would be inset. There’s something so refined and beautiful about how the doors and drawers sit flush within the cabinet frame. The result is a clean, tailored look that instantly elevates any space, no matter the design style. Inset cabinetry is rooted in tradition, but it doesn’t feel stuffy - it feels thoughtful, precise, and elegant. It’s like the quiet confidence of the design world.
That said, inset cabinets come with a higher price tag due to the precision required in construction and often isn’t offered at big box stores. If you’re working within a tighter budget, frameless or full-overlay cabinets are excellent alternatives. They still provide a clean, streamlined appearance and can lean more modern or transitional, depending on how you pair them with hardware and finishes. My one rule of thumb: avoid partial-overlay cabinets if you can. The look tends to feel dated and less cohesive, and in most cases, they don’t give the level of detail or polish I like to see in a finished space.
Door Styles I Keep Coming Back To
The cabinet door style has a huge impact on the overall feel of a kitchen. Some styles are trendy for a reason and others have that special charm when used in the right context.
Shaker cabinets are the ultimate classic. Their simple frame-and-panel construction makes them endlessly adaptable - they work in traditional homes, modern farmhouses, transitional spaces, and even some contemporary settings. If the word “shaker” makes you worry that your kitchen will look like everyone else’s, here’s a tip: play with the proportions. Narrowing the stiles and rails (those frame pieces around the panel) to ¾” or 1” instead of the standard 2.5” completely changes the look. It’s still a shaker door, but slimmer, more elegant, and just a little bit unexpected.
For a more traditional, cozy, or cottage-inspired space, beadboard cabinets are a favorite of mine. The vertical grooves add texture and charm, and they’re especially lovely in smaller kitchens, breakfast nooks, or utility spaces like laundry rooms and pantries. Beadboard gives you that lived-in, loved look - warm, approachable, and full of personality.
Then there’s the flat panel cabinet, which couldn’t be more different but is just as special in the right setting. These are your go-to for modern, minimalist, or Scandinavian-inspired homes. They let other elements - like a bold stone countertop, statement lighting, or open shelving - take center stage. When done in a beautiful natural wood or matte finish, flat panels can make a kitchen feel both sleek and inviting.
My Favorite Cabinet Detail
Sometimes, it’s the smallest details that make the biggest difference. One of my absolute favorite finishing touches in cabinetry is the beaded edge. It’s a subtle groove or “bead” that adds a touch of softness and refinement to an otherwise straightforward door style.
With inset cabinets, a beaded edge is added to the frame, which outlines the door and drawer openings in a beautiful, delicate way. Or, you can bead the door itself, which brings the focus in just a little more. For even more character, I sometimes like to add the bead inside the stiles and rails of a shaker door—it’s a small gesture that elevates the whole design.
Materials That Feel Right
When it comes to material choices, painted cabinetry is hard to beat. I know white cabinets have been “trendy” for a long time now, but white is timeless for a reason. The key is choosing the right white - one that works beautifully with your kitchen’s natural light, flooring tones, and countertop finishes. Skip the standard builder whites and take the time to find the shade that feels warm, clean, and cohesive with your space.
For those who love wood, I have a soft spot for white oak cabinetry. It has a beautiful grain, and depending on how it’s cut - plain sawn or rift sawn - it can feel more rustic or more modern. I tend to lean toward natural or barely-there finishes that let the wood speak for itself. With white oak, the finish can completely change the feel of the cabinet, so I always encourage clients to look at samples in person and test them in their actual space.
Don’t Sleep on Hardware
I could write an entire post just on hardware (and I probably will!), but let’s touch on the essentials here. The right cabinet hardware is like the jewelry of your kitchen - it can elevate the look, tie materials together, and even add a little sparkle or edge.
First, think about your metal finishes. Think about the other metal elements of your kitchen - appliances, light fixtures, faucets - and decide whether you want to match or mix. Mixed metals can be incredibly beautiful when done right. Some of my favorite combos include polished nickel with unlacquered brass, oil-rubbed bronze and unlacquered brass, brushed brass and brushed nickel, or for a modern installation, chrome and matte black. Don’t feel like everything has to match perfectly - it’s more about balance and intention. Be sure to consider the warm and cool elements of metals when pairing.
Then comes style. Here are some of my tried-and-true favorites based on the kitchen aesthetic you’re going for:
Traditional Kitchens: Think soft and classic - oval knobs, ball knobs, mushroom knobs, cup pulls, and even charming latch knobs. Smaller-scale hardware works best here to complement the more detailed cabinetry so stick to knobs 1” and under.
Transitional Kitchens: These lean a little cleaner, but still warm and approachable. I like ball knobs, mushroom knobs, arch pulls, and bar pulls with a subtle detail or curve.
Modern Kitchens: Go bold and streamlined - round knobs, bar knobs, edge pulls, and minimalist bar pulls work beautifully. Just be careful with bar knobs and pulls - look for something with a special shape or unique finish so they don’t feel too basic.
Put Simply
Cabinetry is such a key piece of any kitchen design - it’s not just about storage, it’s about style, structure, and daily function. While I could go on and on (and probably will in future posts), I hope this gives you a helpful glimpse into the choices I love and why I return to them again and again.
If there’s a cabinetry detail or topic you’d like me to dive deeper into - maybe finish selections, how to mix wood tones, or more on hardware - let me know! I’d love to tailor a future post to your questions.