Which Cabinet Door Style Is Right for You?

New kitchen cabinets are a big investment for any homeowner and there are many different choices in cabinets and cabinet door styles. Ready-to-assemble cabinets are some of the most practical and economical options around. While the cabinet colors and styles are huge decisions, so too are the types of door that you will be installing. It is important to make sure that the type of doors that you select will fit your needs and the usage that your cabinets will receive.

Conventional Doors
These are the doors that you normally see on kitchens cabinets. Many ready-to-assemble cabinets come with this style of door since it is the most popular. While a traditional door is easy to open, provides excellent access to the cabinet's interior and can come in a variety of panel options, there are also some drawbacks. The main thing to consider is that when this door is open, it takes up a lot of space. If you have a very narrow kitchen this can be a huge inconvenience especially in apartments and condominiums where kitchens are often small; in some cases, it can be nearly impossible to open the oven door and a cabinet door that is located directly across from it. It can also be challenging to get around an open lower cabinet door if the space is narrow. While conventional doors are some of the most economical choices, they do not work for every kitchen space.

Roll-Top Doors
Roll-top doors are often seen on upper cabinets as opposed to base cabinets. They feature a rolling door that slides up into the top of the cabinet. One of the benefits to this type of door is that they do not take up any exterior space. In other words, when you open the cabinet to get a glass, there is no chance of being hit in the head by the cabinet door. A drawback is that these doors can sometimes jump their tracks and are not always easy to put back on. If you decide that a roll-top door is right for your kitchen, be sure that it is easy to fix should it come off the track.

Glass Doors
Glass doors are frequently seen in both traditional and contemporary kitchens. They show off your dishes and cups for all to see. While they have the potential to add an elegant flair to your kitchen's decor, they also require more cleaning and cabinet organization than their non-see through counterparts. If you have a habit of having messy cabinets, or use mismatched dishes that you may not want all the world to see, glass doors may not be the best option for you.

No matter what style of door you choose for your new kitchen cabinets, make sure that it not only fits your kitchen's style and theme, but that it also fits your budget. You may save money by buying the most common types of doors, but if they will make it difficult to get around in your kitchen, you would probably be better off investing a little more money for a cabinet door upgrade. Shop around and ask your ready-to-assemble cabinet manufacturer what types of door options they offer. With a little searching you can find the perfect doors for your new cabinets.

Alyssa Davis is a staff writer and decorating specialist with Metal-Wall-Art.com and she offers stylish suggestions for decorating with art metal sculpture and kitchen metal art.