Which kitchen cabinet style matches your style?
Get familiar with some of the telltale visual cues and recognizable design elements of four common design styles: traditional, transitional, contemporary and rustic.
TRADITIONAL
- Takes inspiration from the past
- Emphasizes details – generous moldings, raised panel doors, carved elements
- Rich dark stains and understated paint colors (often white) create an overall elegance
- Includes natural materials – wood, granite, slate, copper
- Can be defined as: formal, classic, refined
TRANSITIONAL
- A blend of traditional and contemporary style
- More relaxed than traditional, softer than contemporary
- Tailored appearance with clean lines, nothing fancy or frilly (think: Shaker-style cabinets)
- May include sleek elements like glass mosaic tile or a stainless steel range hood
- Often features a palette of warm neutrals – creams, tans, greys, chocolate browns
- Can be defined as: casual, understated, informal
CONTEMPORARY
- Less is more
- Rooms have a clean, orderly appearance and an open-space feel
- Minimal ornamentation, many designs will feature streamlined slab door styles
- Typically has sleek, glossy finishes and man-made materials – glass, chrome, lacquer
- Can be defined as: streamlined, simple, bold
RUSTIC
- Influences vary from country farmhouse to Tuscan villa to log cabin lodge
- Simple designs that celebrate raw, rugged and natural materials – hand-hewn beams, exposed brick walls, unfinished wood floors, wrought iron
- Often includes reclaimed items with an aged patina or new-made-to-look-old pieces with distressed finishes
- Texture is an important design feature
- Can be defined as: organic, cozy, muted