Start with your home
Look at the architecture, trim and floors. A craftsman bungalow, a brick ranch and a modern condo each suggest different cabinet styles.
Decide how formal or relaxed you want the room to feel. Simple doors feel casual, and detailed doors feel traditional.
Collect photos you like and notice what they share.
Door styles
Shaker doors have a flat recessed panel in a simple frame and suit many homes. Slab doors are flat and modern. Inset doors sit flush in the frame for a refined look. Raised panel doors suit traditional rooms.
Look at full-size samples, since small photos hide details such as frame width.
Think about cleaning, since detailed profiles collect more dust.
Wood and material
Maple is smooth and paints well. Oak has a strong grain. Cherry deepens with age. Walnut is rich and dark.
For painted cabinets, smooth woods or stable panels give the best surface. For stained cabinets, choose a species whose grain you like.
Ask what the boxes and drawers are made of, since good construction matters as much as the face.
Paint or stain
Paint gives a clean look and almost any color. Stain shows the wood and feels warm.
Colors look different in different light, so view samples at several times of day, next to your counters and floor.
Mixing, such as a stained island with painted cabinets, adds interest.
Hardware and details
Pulls and knobs change the look more than most people expect. Try samples against your doors.
Crown molding, light rail, feet and panels finish the room and make cabinets look built-in.
Choose finishes for hardware that suit your faucets and lighting.
Narrow and decide
Choose three finalists for door, wood and finish, and compare them together with counters and floor samples.
Sleep on the decision, then look at the samples again in the morning.
Our material quiz can help you see which direction fits your answers.
Choose the door style first, then the wood and finish, and judge every sample in your own light.
