So picture this: I’m standing in my kitchen at 2 AM, stress-eating cereal straight from the box (don’t judge), staring at my sad builder-grade cabinets that are falling apart. The door handle literally plopped off into my morning coffee earlier that day. That was my rock-bottom moment—the one that launched me into what I now call “The Great Cabinet Obsession of 2024.”
Fast forward through months of Pinterest binges, contractor meetings, and way too many Home Depot trips, and here I am—somehow an accidental expert on kitchen cabinets. Who knew? Let me save you from my mistakes and share the 15 cabinet options that actually caught my attention (and didn’t make me want to crawl under a rock).
1. Shaker Cabinets – Because Sometimes Basic Is Beautiful
Okay, I know what you’re thinking. “Shaker cabinets? Really? That’s like saying your favorite ice cream is vanilla.” But hear me out. After scrolling through approximately 847 kitchen photos (yes, I counted), I realized there’s a reason these simple, clean-lined beauties are everywhere.
They’re like that reliable friend who looks good in everything. Want farmhouse? Shakers work. Going modern? Still works. Feeling fancy? Paint them navy and suddenly you’re Martha Stewart. I touched about fifty Shaker door samples, and the smooth frame just feels… right.
2. Two-Tone Cabinets – For the Commitment-Phobic
This trend saved my sanity. I spent weeks agonizing over whether to go with “Agreeable Gray” or “Naval” (why do paint names sound like they’re plotting world domination?). Then my neighbor casually said, “Why not both?”
Mind. Blown.
Two-tone cabinets are like mixing patterns—it shouldn’t work, but when it does, it’s magic. I saw navy lowers with white uppers that made me actually gasp out loud in the showroom. The sales guy definitely thought I was having some kind of episode.
3. KraftMaid – The Overachiever Your Mom Would Love
These Ohio-made cabinets are basically the valedictorian of the cabinet world. They meet all these fancy Cabinet Manufacturers Association standards (didn’t even know that was a thing), and when I ran my hand along the solid wood, I could practically hear my grandmother approving from beyond.
Expensive? Yes. Will your great-grandchildren probably inherit them? Also yes. Sometimes you gotta invest in the good stuff—especially if it’s storing your extensive takeout container collection.
4. Handle-Less Cabinets – For Your Inner Minimalist
The first time I saw these, I walked around the display opening and closing doors like a confused toddler. Push here, they open. Push again, they close. Living in the future!
No handles means no snagging sweaters (RIP to my cashmere cardigan, taken too soon by a rogue cabinet pull). Plus, they’re way easier to clean—no crevices for mysterious kitchen grime to hide.
5. Ceiling-Height Cabinets – Because More Storage = More Life
Here’s the catch: you’ll need a step stool, and you’ll lose it at least twice a week. But oh, the storage.
Finally, my holiday cookie tins have a home that doesn’t require playing a round of kitchen Tetris. And visually? The vertical lines make your space look grand and sophisticated—even if you’re just reaching for chips at midnight.
6. Merillat – Budget-Friendly Without the Shame
Let’s be real: not all of us have trust funds. Merillat gets this. Founded back in 1946, they prove you don’t need to sell a kidney for solid cabinets.
Their samples felt sturdy and real—not like the flimsy particle-board nightmares that collapse if you breathe on them. Your wallet will thank you, and your kitchen will still look like you know what you’re doing.
7. Mixed Materials – Breaking All the Rules
2025 is the year we ditch the “everything must match” rule, and I am here for it. Glossy uppers with matte lowers? Yes please. Wood with metal? Sure!
I saw one kitchen with three different finishes, and instead of chaos, it looked intentional. Curated. Like the homeowner had traveled the world collecting beautiful things (even if it was just three different Home Depot displays).
8. Bold Colors – Because Life’s Too Short for Beige
Gone are the days of “white, cream, or beige-ish.”
I saw forest-green cabinets that made me want to move into the display kitchen. Navy so rich it looked like midnight water. Even matte black that somehow didn’t make the room feel like a cave. After years of safe neutrals, these bold colors feel like finally wearing that red lipstick you’ve been saving for a “special occasion.”
9. Reclaimed Wood Cabinets – With Stories to Tell
Cabinets made from old barn wood or salvaged beams? Magic. Each scratch has a story—maybe a farmhouse door slamming in prairie winds, maybe a beam from someone’s dream home.
They’re drop-dead gorgeous and environmentally virtuous. Win-win. I ran my hand over reclaimed oak samples, and the textures felt like history you could touch.
10. Open Shelving – The Instagram Darling
Open shelving looks stunning… if you own matching dishes and don’t mind dusting.
I love the idea—showing off vintage cookbooks, your prettiest bowls, that curated vibe. But in reality? I’d stress-clean every time a guest came over. Still, when mixed with cabinets, it breaks up the space and adds personality. Just keep your mismatched tupperware behind closed doors.
11. Wellborn – The Steady, Reliable Choice
Sometimes you don’t want flashy—you want something that still works in twenty years. That’s Wellborn. American-made, solid reviews, different price points.
They’re the cabinet equivalent of that dependable friend who always shows up with jumper cables. In a world of ever-changing trends, dependable starts looking pretty great.
12. Textured Surfaces – Cabinets That Forgive
Smooth cabinets show everything: fingerprints, splatters, even the dog’s nose boops.
Textured cabinets hide the evidence. Rough-hewn wood, embossed metals—finishes that actually improve with a little character. I tested samples with my (very grubby) hands, and you could barely tell. Designed by someone who actually cooks.
13. Natural Wood Grain – Embracing the Imperfections
Instead of painting over every board, this trend celebrates what wood actually looks like. White oak with cathedral patterns, walnut with dark flowing lines—it’s like having art that stores dishes.
I spent way too long tracing wood grain samples. Each one told a different story, and together? It’s like having a forest in your kitchen—in the best possible way.
14. Oppein – For the Control Freaks (Said With Love)
Some people want every detail perfect—the exact shade, the hardware placement, the internal dividers just so. If that’s you, Oppein is your genie.
Custom sizing, pull-out drawers in weird corners, you name it. It’s like having unlimited wishes—except it’s all about cabinets.
15. Inset Cabinet Doors – The Fancy-Pants Option
These make you feel like you live in a showroom. Doors sit perfectly flush with the frame—no gaps, no overlaps. Just clean, elegant lines that whisper “expensive,” even when you’re sneaking a midnight snack.
Yes, they cost more, but it’s craftsmanship you can feel every time you open a door. Think fast fashion versus hand-tailored.
The Real Talk About Choosing Cabinets
Here’s what I wish someone told me at the start: the “perfect” cabinet is the one that works with your real life. Not your Pinterest life—your actual, sometimes messy, definitely imperfect life.
Do you cook elaborate dinner parties, or are you a cereal-for-dinner person? Staying in this house long-term, or just five years? Got kids with sticky hands?
I wasted so much energy chasing trends that I almost forgot the point: you’re going to touch these cabinets every single day. They should make you smile when you grab your coffee, when you stress-cook at midnight, when you’re just staring at the fridge wondering what’s for dinner.
Take your time. Touch all the samples (yes, the salespeople may think you’re weird, but who cares?). Ask yourself what will make you happy daily. Because the best kitchen cabinets aren’t just about looks—they’re about feeling like home.
Trust me: your 2 AM cereal-eating self will thank you later—especially when the handle doesn’t fall into your bowl this time.
