Design Notes
Cabinet door styles are a crucial element in designing kitchens, bathrooms, and various areas throughout the home. They are always among the first things to be noticed when you walk into a space and can influence the overall look of the room. Sometimes the homeowner has a specific design style in mind, which means that the cabinet doors need to integrate with and reflect it back into the area. This can require a special door that blends with a particular or custom style. While there are multiple standard door styles to choose from, opting for a custom look can add that special wow factor to your home that you’ve been looking for. We have been manufacturing custom pieces for over twenty years and love seeing the look of surprise and delight on our clients’ faces when they see their cabinet for the first time. Here are four unique door styles that we’ve created for our clients, which we’re particularly proud of.
Louvered Cabinet Doors
When looking to take a different direction with your cabinet doors in a style that complements coastal vibes, louvered doors are one of your best options. It is open, airy, and even light, bringing a whole new element to your design. Louvers are the horizontal slats that cover the entire door panel, providing privacy in your cabinets while immediately adding visual interest to the space. They can be utilized in multiple areas throughout the home, such as the kitchen, living room, laundry room, and your home office. Louvered doors can significantly enhance the overall look of your cabinet design and can be used in upper cabinets, lower cabinets, or in a combination of both. There are also several color schemes that can be used, ranging from an elegant black to a bright white or even a combination of gray and blue. It is also a good way to provide ventilation for certain cabinets that require good airflow, such as pantry doors, to help keep the food fresh. A wide variety of hardware can be paired with this style as well, making louvered cabinet doors a great option if you want to add a bit of variation to your design.
Reeded Cabinet Doors
Texture is a wonderful elemental tool in design; it instantly draws the eye, plus it adds depth to any space. Reeded cabinet doors provide texture to your kitchen, bathroom, and other areas with elegance and style. Though it is not among the top three cabinet door choices, it has managed to gain a following and interest among homeowners. It is a style that works well for those who enjoy a more natural feel in their home, as it looks great just stained. Reeded doors can, however, also look very well when painted, making it easy to blend with several color palettes, even darker ones. It can also be combined with various materials, such as glass and metal, allowing it to work well with a more contemporary vibe as well. Because reeded cabinet doors are heavy on texture, it is best to limit texture in other areas to avoid making the space too busy or overwhelming. Lean more on color as a way to add the finishing touches. For those who desire to incorporate elements of nature into their interior design, reeded cabinet doors are a great way to achieve this aesthetic. Discuss with your designer how you can incorporate it into your renovation.
Beadboard Cabinet Doors
These cabinet doors are typically easy to spot since their lines run vertically with small gaps in between. They also add such texture and pattern to the design, making them a great option for those looking for something a little different than the standard door style. If you are looking for ways to make beadboard cabinet doors make an even bigger statement in your design, consider altering the direction of the lines to be horizontal or diagonal. This gives another dimension to your space, and blending it with a variety of styles provides you with extra options. These cabinet doors can be paired with a variety of colors or simply stained for a natural look. Two-toned looks work well with beadboard, too. You can opt to have a beadboard island stained in a natural wood tone with a contrasting or complementary color in the kitchen perimeter. Some can have a distressed look added to them, creating a rustic style that is perfect for a farmhouse or even a coastal design. The unique pattern they create adds just the right touch to your space and can be paired with a few glass cabinet doors, instantly making it look unique to your style.
Fluted Cabinet Doors
This is another wonderful option for homeowners looking to add texture to their space in a unique way. The term “fluting” is in reference to three or more shallow to deep vertical grooves on the door panel. This style has a touch of Greek and Roman column architecture influence, which can elevate it to something special and reflect a sophisticated style. Fluted cabinet doors can elevate your renovation to the next level and add visual interest. It can work well for a kitchen, bathroom, and even a home office or drop zone. A kitchen island or bathroom vanity will look amazing in this style and can also bring a bit of pattern into the area. Pairing it with some simple hardware can create a balance between the two pieces, especially when done with contrast, such as a white cabinet and black hardware. Choosing a fluted cabinet door selection can significantly enhance your project, but remember that it may require a little extra cleaning, as dust can easily accumulate between the grooves. Fluted can look good in either a painted or stained version, or paired with a few other elements like glass and metal, which can integrate it with a more contemporary style. Consult with your designer and request to see samples of fluted cabinet doors.
One of the main questions asked during the design meeting is what color the owners want for their kitchen cabinets. Were they looking to do a natural wood or a color instead? While many will opt to do the wood, many enjoy adding a splash of color to their kitchen or mixing and matching. It is a great way to break up the area and create a focal point, but with so many options available, how do you know which one is right for you? While it is up to you in the end, there are three colors that have stood out for some time and will most likely continue to do so. White, gray, and blue remain high on the selection chart, so let’s talk about these popular colors and why they may be the right fit for you.
While the kitchen was often viewed as the place where food was merely prepped and served, it has transitioned into a command center as people gather to talk or enjoy a snack while getting some work done. Layouts have slowly shifted to accommodate this change, which has produced the open concept. This floor plan allows families to stay connected even when they are doing things in different areas of the home. While not as popular as it was in the 1990s and early 2000s, many families still choose this floor plan because of their desire to stay close to their family and guests. Today, we want to discuss the open floor concept, the elements that make it up, and if it is the right fit for your family.
You have just waved goodbye to your last child as they head out to college. While you adjust to not having kids in the house, you also begin to realize that you now have more space, but you’re not sure what to do with it. There are many ways to reuse the space, expand existing spaces, or make room for something new. Let’s take a look at the design possibilities available to you.
In the second of our three-part series on selection tips, we want to focus on tile. Backsplash, shower walls, and flooring are just a few of the many uses for tile since it is beautiful, durable, and timeless. Sometimes considered a small part of the design, it has the potential to make a big impact on the design. Here are some helpful tips when choosing tile.
While cabinets tend to be the focal point of the main spaces, such as kitchens and bathrooms, it is the details that add the final touch to the design. The selection process can be one of the highlights of the design phase, but it can also be overwhelming with multiple styles, colors, and options. In this three-part series, we want to give our best tips for the top three categories of selections and help make this as enjoyable and simple as possible. Our focus today is hardware.




Walker Woodworking
Walker Woodworking
Greenbrook Design


Walker Woodworking
Walker Woodworking