Historically, for the majority of people, cabinets were nothing but cabinets. From their inception, kitchen cabinet styles were cubes with or without doors on them that hung on kitchen walls. As the years went by base cabinets were added as homemakers accumulated additional kitchenware and required a place to store it. The cabinets didn’t have to be nice to look at, because they were intended to be functional. Exceptions to this norm were in the palatial residences of the well-to-do who had ornate wood and custom-designed styles.

During the Victorian era, cabinetry, as with the taste in furniture, wallpaper, and carpeting, was particularly ornate, created using fine hardwoods. You might have had the opportunity to visit some of these vintage houses and see the elaborate cabinetry they enjoyed. Kitchen cabinet styles were basically limited to how much people could afford.

Modern cabinets have evolved into a number of different styles in many different price ranges to meet the needs of all homeowners. Instead of simply being basic boxes containing shelves any longer, there are a lot of specialty cabinets you can choose from, such as a pantry, a cabinet with a fold-out shelf for your stand mixer, or open plate racks. Cabinets are built using solid woods like oak, cherry, maple, and birch plus various styles with melamine or wood veneers. Tastes can differ from streamlined contemporary styles to ornate, hand-carved models. It all depends on what you want.

The initial thing to consider when selecting a kitchen cabinet style is the architectural style of your home. Many people want to have kitchen cabinets that go with the flow of the home décor which makes their kitchen appear that it is an integral part of the rest of the house. The most popular styles that that are available for kitchen cabinets include:
* Traditional – formal kitchen cabinet style with hardwoods, dark stains, and
brilliant brass hardware. Looks like the styles of the 18th and 19th century.
* Contemporary – sleek, streamlined cabinetry with simple, basic lines and flush
doors. Can be made of a
selection of different materials, such as wood, glass, laminates,
chrome, or stainless steel.
* Shaker – exceptionally simple, plain wood cabinets
finished with dyes and oils.
* Country – simple lines for a very casual look.
Finished with paints or stains and either with or without doors
* Rustic – knotty pine, strap hinges, and basic kitchen cabinet
style.
* French Country – European styling with
intricate, carved moldings and possibly feet,
more like furniture than kitchen cabinets.
* Arts and Crafts – Square, bold lines
created in Mission style. Often of oak.
* Cottage – casual and cozy with uniquelookscabinetry,finishes, and hardware.

With all of these different kitchen cabinet styles to choose from, there’s sure to be one that will look great in your home and blend your kitchen into your total décor. You can also add personal touches to the styles of some of the cabinets. For example, you might want to think about adding leaded glass panels to the doors or finish them with unusual glazes and exotic hardware. As you can see, kitchen cabinets aren’t only cubes any longer. They’re a reflection of your good taste.

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