What Are Flat Panel Cabinet Doors?

Modern and contemporary kitchen designs are in demand. This style is sleek, chic, and appealing. It helps make a kitchen feel more open and airy and is sure to maintain a high-end appeal for years to come. 

When upgrading your kitchen design, one of the best cabinet door styles to consider is flat-face cabinets. Flat panel kitchen cabinet doors are sure to complement your design choices and help you achieve a streamlined look. 

In this blog, we'll discuss the charm behind slab cabinet doors so you can decide if this style is right for you. 

What is a Flat Panel Cabinet Door?

Flat panel cabinet doors have a minimalist, clean appearance. Unlike traditional cabinet doors, they lack raised panels and ornamental designs. The cabinet doors are one full piece of flat wood. They also have perfect 90-degree angle corners and lack traditional frames. 

These are great for individuals with contemporary or modern kitchen designs who want to keep their space simple and sleek. Since there are no bevels, imprints, or contours, slab kitchen cabinet doors are also easy to clean and maintain.

When exploring this style, you may notice the terminology varies. There are many different terms for this style, which can be confusing. Here are some of the most common terms you'll hear:

  • Flat Panel Door
  • Flat Panel Cabinet 
  • Flat Face Cabinets 
  • Slab Cabinets 

It's important to keep in mind that all of these terms mean the same thing: The cabinet door has a complete slab that lacks grooves or decorative details. At Cabinet Door Factory, we refer to slab or flat face cabinets as slab cabinet doors.

The Design and Aesthetics

The beauty of slab kitchen cabinets is the simplicity of the design. The sleek and simple structure will add to your space rather than distract the eye.

With the rise of minimalism and modern designs, slab cabinet doors have quickly become a popular choice for kitchens. While they're ideal for contemporary designs, they are versatile enough to complement an array of design choices.

Benefits of Choosing Slab Doors

There are many advantages to choosing slab doors for your kitchen, bathroom, or home renovation project. Whether you're looking to upgrade your vintage kitchen to a modern design or want an affordable style with minimal details, you can't go wrong with flat-face cabinet doors. 

Here are some of the benefits:

Easy to Clean

Slab doors don't have any raised panels, decorative details, or large ridges. This makes them easier to clean. Simply wash regularly with mild soap and a cloth for the best results.

Modern Appeal 

The simple appearance makes slab cabinet doors ideal for modern kitchen designs. You also have the option to choose from a variety of finishes, paint colors, and wood species.

Versatile 

Even though the flat face cabinets are ideal for modern or contemporary kitchens, it can also be used in other kitchen designs and aesthetics. With the right paint color and finish, you can make flat-face cabinets work in almost any kitchen.

Affordable 

Most flat-panel cabinet doors are relatively affordable. There are also many cost-saving advantages to purchasing cabinets directly from a trusted cabinet door manufacturer like Cabinet Door Factory. Shopping online with us instead of big box retailers can help you save up to 30-50% on your custom slab cabinet doors. 

How Flat Panels Compare To Other Door Styles 

Not sure which cabinet door style is right for your project? There are a few things you'll need to consider to ensure you find the perfect fit.

Here's how they compare to other popular styles:

Flat Panel vs. Raised Panel 

Raised panel cabinets have a raised middle panel. They also come in various design profiles, including square, arch, center stiel, double arch, and decorative paneling. Unlike slab doors, raised panels typically have more decorative details and creaves. This can make them more challenging to clean and use in modern kitchens.

Flat Panel vs Shaker

Shaker cabinet doors are one of the most popular styles to choose from. They feature a 5-panel design that features minimal details. This style is versatile and can complement various kitchen designs, including modern and vintage. When it comes to picking between a slab and a shaker-style cabinet, a slab is more suitable for minimalist kitchens.

Tips for Incorporating Flat-Panel in Your Home

Once you decide to add slab kitchen cabinets in your home, here are some tips for enhancing the natural beauty of the design and making it your own:

Stick With All Natural
Stick With All Natural Slab Cabinet Doors

Slab cabinet doors are available in a variety of wood types, and some have a more prominent wood grain than others. This is something to keep in mind if you decide to go the all-natural route. Some of the most popular natural woods include maple, alder, and cherry. If you're looking for a wood species with a stunning natural grain with fewer knots, consider alder or oak. If you're looking for a smooth wood texture, consider cherry.

Achieve An All White, Modern Kitchen
Minimalist white kitchen with white slab cabinet doors

An all-white kitchen feels fresh, clean, and modern. It's one of the most popular kitchen design choices for individuals who seek a minimalist, elegant kitchen design. With all-white slab kitchen cabinets, you can make your space feel more inviting. 

The all-white cabinet doors will reflect the natural light from the outdoors, making the space brighter. You can also choose to mix and match an all-white slab with darker appliances, matte gold hardware, or pops of gold for a full-fledged modern look.

Get Creative With Finishes
Slab cabinet doors with creative wood grains

The finish you choose will completely change the look of your cabinet doors. Whether you want to enhance the beauty of the wood grain with a natural wood finish or want a high-gloss laminate for some extra shine. When exploring different finishes, consider the wood texture, your kitchen design, and the hardware you're using. You'll want to find a finish that expertly enhances the natural beauty of the flat slab cabinets. 

Go Bold With The Hardware
Slab cabinet doors with bold gold hardware

The hardware you choose should complement your kitchen design choices. For example, if you decide to stick with a modern design, you may choose to go with matte black pulls or knobs. If you have a more traditional kitchen, nickel or champagne might be more suitable. Many homeowners skip hardware altogether, which creates a cohesive, streamlined look.

Add Dimension With Open Shelving

contrast between slab design and the open shelves

Open shelving is a great way to add dimension to your kitchen. The contrast between the slab design and the open shelves will make your space more inviting. You can also use the open shelving to display your favorite decorations. 

Explore High-Quality Slab Doors With Cabinet Door Factory

As the largest cabinet door manufacturers in the western U.S., we pride ourselves on offering high-quality custom cabinet door solutions to our customers. We're here to help you bring the vision for your project to life and provide high-quality, custom solutions, for an affordable cost.

Explore our selection of slab cabinet doors today.