Picking the perfect kitchen cabinets for your home is no small decision. With such a permanent fixture like cabinetry, it’s important to understand the ins and outs of what’s available to you. Things like custom features, the type of cabinet door overlay, storage solutions and price point are all major details that can impact your decision.
To help simplify your choices, we have put together a comprehensive guide on how to select the best kitchen cabinets for 2024. There’s much more to focus on than kitchen cabinet trends and the floorplan. Learn what to look for as we dive into 3 important categories: styles, budget and functionality.
Selecting the Best Kitchen Cabinets for 2024
When it comes to different styles of cabinets, this could mean 3 things: the door overlay, door style, or the type of cabinet (in-stock, semi-custom or custom cabinets). Each of these categories talk about a cabinet characteristic whether it’s the cabinet quality, tier or style.
Styles of Cabinets | #1 Door Overlay
Full Overlay
This is a framed cabinet with a 1/8 - inch gap between all the doors and drawers for a furniture look.
Partial Overlay
This is a framed cabinet with a ½ - inch gap between all doors and drawers offered for a smaller expense.
Frameless
This is a cabinet without a face frame that usually offers ¾ - inch thick cabinet walls and doors and drawers that cover the entire width of the cabinet.
Inset
This is a framed cabinet with a 1-½ inch face frame with all door and drawer fronts sitting within the framed openings. It provides a vintage, elevated and furniture-style look.
Each of these styles offers a different look at a different price. Typically, framed, frameless and inset are more expensive, while partial overlay tends to come in more standard builder-grade homes. If there is a particular style you want, make sure to check your preferred cabinet company offers it before moving forward. CliqStudios exclusively offers full overlay, frameless and inset cabinet styles for the most elevated look.
Styles of Cabinets | #2 Door Style
As you shop for the perfect style, look for something you love that will also be timeless. Some of the most popular door styles for 2024 are shaker, skinny or micro shaker, inset doors and slab. Like all trends, this will change over time, but one style that always looks good is shaker.
Because the shaker door is both timeless and modern, it offers true flexibility. Shaker can be dressed in timeless earthy colors or something more vibrant. You can choose whether you want to add a pop of color to your kitchen island or base cabinets. At the end of the day, shaker kitchens look gorgeous and tend to help re-sale value more than other styles.
Styles of Cabinets | #3 Cabinet Type
There are three cabinet types you will see while shopping for kitchen cabinets. In-stock, semi-custom and custom cabinets. Each category has different pros and cons to meet different needs. Any of these options are still a great choice for any kitchen remodel. What you choose will depend on your budget, style and functional design preferences.
In-Stock Cabinets
Also known as ready-to-assemble cabinets, this cabinet type is a less expensive option. For anyone on a smaller kitchen remodel budget, you can still get a designer look with great cabinet construction at a lower price. RTA cabinets usually have fewer door styles and finishes along with cabinet accessories. However, if you don’t have a need for many custom options, this might be a great cabinet line for you.
Semi-Custom Cabinets
If you want a nice high-quality cabinet without the custom price, then semi-custom cabinets are the perfect choice for you. This cabinet type has many different door styles, finishes and storage solutions to offer. Semi-custom cabinets also have some modifications available to fit minor custom needs. Consider this cabinet line for a slightly more customized kitchen design.
Custom Cabinets
Sometimes the only option that can meet your needs are custom cabinets. Custom lines have virtually limitless colors, door styles, and custom solutions to meet any need. This might even mean you need a cabinet that’s not offered in the catalog.
In this case, your designer can talk you through potential solutions and submit a completely custom cabinet request in a unique height, width and depth. If you need a unique storage solution, chances are this line has it and much more.
Budget & Functionality
When you shop CliqStudios cabinet lines, each line has different price points and functional storage to choose from. To understand which cabinet line fits your needs, it’s best to explore and finalize your kitchen remodeling budget first. Each CliqStudios cabinet line below will show you the general price point with dollar signs along with what upgrades and cabinet storage you can expect.
Ready-to-Assemble Cabinets | $$
The RTA cabinet line is our most affordable line with a quick-ship option. This line comes in top door styles and finishes with all-plywood construction as a standard. Explore some of our most popular cabinet accessories like roll-out trays, lazy susans, wastebasket pull-outs and more.
Mercury Cabinets | $$
The Mercury cabinet line is an affordable fully assembled, semi-custom cabinet line with two popular door styles. You can choose from 5 beautiful finishes perfect for any home and it comes in standard all-plywood construction. To maintain the lower price point, this line has fewer cabinet accessories but is great for less custom needs.
Signature Plus Cabinets | $$$
Signature Plus cabinets is a full semi-custom line. This line starts at a higher price point, but has more colors, door styles and modifications to offer. Cabinet construction is standard furniture board with an optional all-plywood upgrade. There are many more cabinet accessories within this line giving you greater flexibility and a more functional kitchen than ever before.
Craftsman Cabinets | $$$$
Craftsman is our most customizable cabinet line. Like Signature Plus, furniture board construction is standard with an optional all-plywood upgrade. This line has the highest price point, but virtually unlimited choices in style, color, and configuration. Craftsman also offers the most cabinet accessories maximizing the functionality in your new kitchen.
What is the Best Color for Kitchen Cabinets in 2024?
While white will always be popular, some of the more exciting trending colors are rich greens, dark navy, warm neutrals and light wood tones. Even using a combination of these tones is a popular choice for 2024 kitchen cabinet trends. Does an all green or all blue kitchen sound like too much?
Try balancing the color palette with white or light wood wall cabinets or an accent color on the kitchen island. If you prefer to have an expert's opinion, talk to one of our CliqStudios designers. They are happy to help you create your dream kitchen free of charge. If you prefer to explore on your own, view the latest cabinet design ideas in our gallery now!
Creating the Perfect Custom Kitchen Design
Now that you know what’s available to you, all you need is the perfect design. Because most of our cabinet lines are custom cabinetry, you will need to work with a CliqStudios designer. It’s always beneficial to seek designer help regardless of the cabinet line.
Designers have years of expertise, and they can prevent you from making costly design mistakes. Additionally, they will ask you about your design preferences and budget. This will give you an advantage because designers know each line in and out. They can guide you through which lines will offer the door styles, colors and features you want within your budget.
Not only can your personal designer direct you, but they know how to maximize any kitchen floorplan. Our designers are experts at using modifications and custom features to your benefit. If that weren’t enough, designers can walk you through cabinet storage.
The most efficient kitchen designs are created by carefully placed storage solutions. While planning your layout, re-think the locations of your pots and pans, cookie sheets, water glasses and plates. Talk to your designer about where you used to store everyday items and where you might like them now. They can provide helpful advice on where specific accessories might work best to make your kitchen even more functional.
As you can see, the best way to make an informed choice is by talking to a designer. We offer free design services as a courtesy to make sure every client gets their dream kitchen. You will never have to worry about being upsold or pressured into buying products you don’t need.
CliqStudios designers want to make your kitchen remodeling process easier. Their goal is to understand your needs, show you the right options and make your remodeling dreams come true.
Ready to start your kitchen remodel? Schedule your free design appointment now!