Choosing the Right Cabinet Door Style for Your Kitchen: A Quick Guide
When it comes to transforming your kitchen, cabinet refacing is one of the smartest upgrades you can make. It gives your space a totally new look—without the cost and mess of a full remodel. But the style and color you choose? That’s what makes it yours.
At Nu-Look, we make cabinet refacing simple, fast, and fully customizable. Here’s your guide to picking the right cabinet door style and color to match your home, your taste, and your lifestyle.
Shaker Collection
Clean, timeless, and versatile. Shaker doors feature simple, uncluttered lines, making them a popular choice for nearly any design aesthetic—modern, traditional, or transitional .
The understated elegance of Shaker doors makes them a favorite among homeowners who appreciate a minimalist approach while still wanting to maintain a warm and inviting atmosphere. Another classic option is the Raised Panel door, which features a center panel that is raised above the frame. This style adds depth and dimension to your cabinetry, making it an excellent choice for more traditional or ornate kitchens.
The intricate detailing of raised panel doors can create a sense of sophistication and craftsmanship that elevates the entire room. On the other hand, Flat Panel doors offer a sleek and modern look, with a smooth surface that can be easily integrated into contemporary designs. Their simplicity allows for a clean and uncluttered appearance, making them ideal for those who prefer a more streamlined aesthetic.
Traditional Raised Panel
Classic depth with flexibility. These doors blend tradition and affordability, offering customizable edges and panel profiles. From ornate to understated, this series covers a wide spectrum .
These raised‑panel doors offer a rich yet affordable entry into traditional styling. Customize the edge, bead, and panel profile to get exactly the look you want—whether it’s ornately decorative or elegantly understated. A favorite for homeowners who want that warm, classic kitchen feel without overpaying.
Flat (Plywood) Panel / Slab / Batten / Louvered
Sleek and economical. Durable plywood construction, minimalist style, and built to last—ideal for contemporary or cost-conscious projects .
Constructed with plywood panels and time‑tested mortise‑and‑tenon joinery, this series is built to last. Choose from one-piece, three-piece, or even louvered versions for an on-trend, clean-lined look that’s ideal for modern or cost-conscious projects.
Mitered Flat Panel
Modern detail, framed perfectly. With picture‑frame style mitered edges, these doors elevate slab design without breaking the bank .
These doors elevate a slab look with picture-frame mitered edges that run seamlessly around the door, creating a lux feel without the luxury price tag. A great “bang for your buck” upgrade.
Mitered Raised Panel
Elevated traditional style. Rich detailing and graceful glaze pickup, this door adds elegance and dimension .
Think of this as the next step up from raised panel: detailed, elegant, and with center panels that take glaze beautifully. Choose between solid raised-wood centers or mitered plywood—either way, you get sophistication and depth.
Statesman Collection
Bold & masculine. Wider frames and deeper profiles bring a powerful visual boldness—best in larger kitchens where scale works .
Featuring wider frames and deeper profiles, Statesman doors make a powerful visual statement. Ideal for high‑ceilings or expansive kitchens—just be mindful, they can overwhelm smaller spaces.
Applied Molding & Decorative Applied Molding
French country luxury. These doors feature appliqués and molding for ornamental appeal, perfect with glazes to accentuate detail .
These doors feature moldings or appliqués on the face, which shine when glazed. Decorative Applied Molding takes it a step further with rope, dentil, and egg-and-dart details. Perfect for kitchens that aim to impress.
Grooved Panel
Country charm. These doors add a casual, relaxed vibe—great for islands, bases, or mixed with other styles .
Grooved panel doors evoke country, beach, or estate vibes. Use them on islands or base cabinets to break up uniformity—great for adding character without visual overload.
Arts & Crafts
Craftsmanship in focus. Inspired by stick‑built quality; best matched with quarter‑sawn wood and traditional joinery .
1″ Thick Collection
Substantial luxury. Extra-thick panels offer deep relief and presence. Great for full-overlay layouts, but be sure hinges have guardroom .
Accent Doors
Stand-out craftsmanship. Intricate mitering and framing, ideal for focal points like islands, pantries, or glass fronts .
MDF Doors (Various Styles)
Paint-perfect and stable. From Shaker to applied molding to mitered — MDF is warp-resistant, ideal for painted finishes .
Strata & Intrigue (Thermally Structured Surface)
Modern and ultra-durable. European-style laminates with realistic woodgrains or opaque textures—scratch-resistant and colorfast .
Final Take
Picking the right door style isn’t just about looks—it’s about creating a kitchen that fits your home’s aesthetic, feels right, and holds up over time. With Nu-Look’s broad range and expert help, your new cabinets will look custom-built—and smarter than a full remodel.
Ready to Get Started? On Choosing the Right Cabinet Door Style for Your Kitchen
Choosing the perfect cabinet door and color combo doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With Nu-Look’s expert help and curated style options, you’ll get a kitchen that feels brand new—without starting from scratch.