Modern Cabinet Design Styles
A modern design style is almost immediately recognizable at first glance. This design style can be traced back to the mid-20th century and is highlighted by its easily identifiable geometric features and focus on functionality. Namely, modern design incorporates a mix of straight lines, sharp curves and clean angles. Modern design style is still one of the most popular design styles today, making it a timeless design trend.
What Are Modern Cabinet Doors?
Modern cabinet doors are recognizable for their simplistic, sleek design. They are styled with a smooth, flat surface, without any textured accents or designs. These doors can be constructed as a slab or flat panel and have very clean, sharp edges. Straight lines are a key feature of modern cabinet doors, in the wood patterns, the hardware and the shape of the door. Modern cabinet doors usually do not feature raised or recessed paneling or detailed curves.
Modern cabinet doors are also usually fitted with unique hardware that sets them apart from other design styles. Instead of using knobs or traditional handles, they are more likely to use more specialized shaped handles or tabs to be opened. They also often use a minimalist approach, and the cabinet may have barely noticeable handles or have no handles at all.
Modern kitchen cabinet doors can come in a variety of materials, allowing them to add a special personality to a space. From wood to glass-ready cabinet doors, the type of materials used for a cabinet door can provide varying benefits and design options.
The 8 Best Modern Cabinet Styles
Modern cabinet designs incorporate many elements of minimalism, as much of the style’s appeal lies in the simplistic, clean appearance. This minimalism contributes to a room feeling more open and helps to maximize the space in the room. A considerable amount of natural light, an open floor plan and minimal décor all help to increase the amount of available space. The features of a modern cabinet style help to provide a clean, open and functional look for your kitchen.
1. Keep It Simple With Shaker Cabinet Doors
Shaker cabinet doors are loved for their minimalist design. They feature a flat, recessed center panel and square edges. The look has a timeless appeal and can complement various kitchen designs.
In this kitchen, they let the natural beauty of the wood become the focal point of the space. The subtle white backsplash, open shelves, and stainless steel appliances tie in the details, creating a modern space with a traditional touch. The shaker cabinet doors are a versatile choice for this kitchen that will stick with them for years to come, no matter how much their design preferences change.
2. Go Fully Modern With Slab Cabinet Doors
Slab cabinet doors have a simple design. There are no raised panels or recessed sections. They also don't have any ornate details or detailing, making them an ideal choice for modern or Scandinavian kitchen designs.
For this kitchen design shown above, they chose a lighter wood color with subtle copper handles. The modern cabinet styles pair elegantly with the muted backsplash and stainless steel appliances. The look is simple yet aesthetically pleasing.
3. Add Depth and Dimension With Glass-Front Cabinets
Want to add a traditional or vintage flair to your modern cabinet design? Glass-ready cabinet doors have 1 to 6 glass panels. They add character to a space and are great for showing off your favorite plates, glassware, or decor. This option is also versatile and can be styled to accommodate a variety of modern aesthetics.
In this kitchen, the glass-front cabinets break up the space. They added frosted glass instead of clear glass to ensure their drinkware won't distract from the simple and modern aesthetic.
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4. Add a Rustic Touch With Beadboard Cabinet Doors
Beadboard cabinets have small vertical planks that run the length of the panel, that are either recessed or raised. Both are great options for modern kitchen cabinet designs. The beadboard adds extra depth and dimension, making it a great choice to add a more decorative look to your space.
This modern cabinet design pairs shaker cabinet doors with beadboard cabinets. This is a great way to add a subtle touch of depth and texture, without making it feel overwhelming in a modern space.
5. Play With Neutral and Warm Tones
Neutral tones are a great alternative to the all-white modern kitchen that grew popular in the early 2000s. Light grays, neutral nudes, and warmer whites can turn a modern cabinet style into a welcoming space. These tones are great for open layouts and spaces with tons of natural lighting. For added depth and texture, consider beadboard or glass-ready cabinets.
The light gray cabinet doors in the kitchen pictured above add a warm touch to the all-white kitchen. It’s subtle and not too overwhelming, ensuring the modern appeal is still maintained.
6. Add Pops of Color With Bold and Vibrant Colors
Many individuals are experimenting with bold color choices for modern cabinet designs in 2024. Whether it's green, blue, light blue, or even light yellow. These are great choices if you like the simplicity of modern kitchen designs but want to add a pop of color. Paint-ready shaker-style cabinets are ideal for this modern cabinet design.
The dark blue shaker cabinet doors are paired with a simple white backsplash and white upper cabinets. The details are simple, sleek, and elegant, contributing to the modern design while maintaining the fun pop of color.
7. Keep Things Simple With Matte Black Hardware
Matte black hardware pairs elegantly with lighter colors and stainless steel appliances. The softer appearance will add an elegant accent and stunning contrast to your modern cabinet door styles, depending on the color of your cabinets.
The matte black details in this modern bathroom add depth and dimension to the space. It’s subtle yet simple and pairs beautifully with the medium-light cabinets.
8. Have Fun With Different Textures
Just because it's a modern kitchen doesn't mean it needs to be boring. Many modern cabinet door styles play with different textures to add more depth and dimension to a space. Whether it's a playful backsplash, colorful decor, or eye-catching hardware.
In this modern kitchen design, the gray brick wall adds a layer of dimension to the kitchen. It pairs well with the modern details and isn’t too overwhelming.
Shop High-End Modern Cabinet Door Styles
Modern kitchen designs don't have to be all-white with simple hardware. There are many other creative ways to get a modern look while still showcasing your aesthetic preferences.
At Cabinet Door Factory, we have a variety of modern cabinet door styles and colors to choose from. We also have a variety of knobs and pulls to choose from in matte black and other modern finishes. All of our cabinet doors are custom-made to perfectly fit your current cabinets and help you achieve the modern look you're trying to achieve in your space.
Explore our selection of cabinet doors today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Modern Kitchen Cabinet Designs
What is the most popular kitchen cabinet design in 2024?
In 2024, we'll see more mixed-color cabinets, off-white modern kitchens, and more vibrant color choices.
Explore our most popular door styles here.
What makes a cabinet door modern?
Modern cabinet designs are simple and minimalist. They lack ornate details and complement the sleek appearance of the modern kitchen aesthetic.
What cabinet door designs are out of style?
Handle-free cabinet doors are not as popular as they were a few years ago. All gray kitchens and cabinets are less popular than they were in the early 2000s.