Having custom cabinets built is the ultimate way to make sure you get exactly what you want in your kitchen. One of the first decisions you will need to make when working with your cabinet maker is what type of door face you want for your cabinets. While there are many options, these are five of the most common ones to consider.

Raised Panel

Raised panel cabinet doors have a raised border around all four sides. The inside rectangle on the door is basically sunken in. The detail between the raised panels and the sunken center adds a lot of character to this style. It is one of the busiest door styles and looks best in traditional and transitional kitchens where busier styles are popular.

Recessed Panel

Recessed panel doors are similar to raised panel doors, but the panels around the outside are flat and sit just a little higher than the center of the door. This is a much sleeker look and a good choice for more modern kitchens. Recessed panel doors are easy to paint, making them a good choice if you plan on making changes to your kitchen's look in the future.

Slab Doors

These doors are as simple as it comes. They are one flat slab of wood. However, there are ways for cabinet makers to give them more character. The cabinet maker can choose a wood with a lot of grain detail, or they can use epoxy to fill in some of the knots and divots in the wood, which adds some texture and color.

Open Frame Door

This type of cabinet door simply consists of four panels around the outside and no center piece. The door is basically see-through. Most people do not want their entire kitchen done with open frame doors, but including a few of them can be fun. You can display nice items like a French press or wine glasses inside that cabinet.

Mullion Frame Doors

These doors consist of four panels with horizontal bars and one vertical bar in the center. Picture a grille window, but in the form of a cabinet door. Mullion frame doors have a lot of character and look really nice in country and rustic homes.

Which cabinet door face style is best for you? Look at a few samples, and talk with your cabinet door maker to get their opinion. They can tell you what has worked well in kitchens similar to your own.

For more information, contact a custom cabinetry contractor.