Can You Mix Cabinet Front Styles In The Same Kitchen?

By Jess Bunge

https://stylebyemilyhenderson.com/mixing-cabinet-front-styles-in-a-kitchen

While I myself have yet to remodel a kitchen, I have been privy to many other people remodeling theirs. And especially if you don’t have a design background or a hired designer, all of the basic decisions and budget balancing can be A LOT to manage. Then all of that decision fatigue doesn’t always leave enough space for the more custom or creative things you could implement. One of those creative (and potentially, budget-friendly) decisions is mixing cabinet front styles. I’m of course not suggesting that every other door is a different style. But if you have uppers, a little cabinet nook, etc., you might be able to switch it up a little, making your kitchen that much more unique to you. Let me show you what I really mean.

design by shane & pierce | photos by michael p.h. clifford | from: why you should choose bigger art (as proven by a beautiful italian-inspired new build

Recently, I wrote about this house above and all its amazing uses of large-scale art. I did also happen to mention the mixing of cabinet front styles. The island and main cooking counter both have a thinly beaded cabinet front, while the tall cabinets (probably fridges?) on either side of the kitchen have flat panels. It’s kinda subtle until you clock it, and then it just makes the kitchen all the more interesting. This kitchen is what inspired this whole post! Here are some more examples/options if you are in the kitchen remodel idea market:)

I feel that this is the most common/classic “style mixing” combo – Shaker cabinets + flat drawer fronts. It’s classic, a little fun for the eye, and I wonder if it’s an “easy” way to save money. Flat panel cabinet fronts are generally more affordable than any of the other, more decorative options. Of course, it depends on the material you want to use:)

It’s actually what Emily did in her kitchen!

Next, we have this really beautiful example of painted beadboard cabinet fronts and natural wood flat panel drawer fronts. It’s in the same “traditional” world as the shaker cabinets/flat panel drawers, but a little more noticeable. It’s a really warm and inviting version of “modern traditional”.

Guess who is also a fan of a similar combo, the kitchen cabinet front lover and designer, Sarah Sherman Samuel! In two separate kitchens, she implemented this delightful beadboard and mini shaker combo. Beadboard for the upper cabinets and the mini shaker for the lower cabinets and drawers. She also played with a totally different style for the island, but that’s not what we are currently focusing on:) Also, how sweet are those little cutout holes on the uppers in the kitchen on the left? Another little idea to remind you is an option.

Another very common option is that the island cabinetry is different than the wall cabinetry. It’s also an easy way to bring in another cabinet color or wood tone…also like Em did in her farmhouse kitchen:)