Flat panel kitchen cabinets always make their way back into the trends. They’ll fade in popularity for a few years and then crop up again with a new design style. If you’re thinking of upgrading your kitchen cabinets, this may be a style worth exploring. Read on to learn the pros and cons of flat panel kitchen cabinets.
What Are Flat Panel Kitchen Cabinets?
Flat panel cabinets, also known as slab cabinets, have a completely flat front. Shaker cabinets have a simple trim on the edges, and other styles have more decorative trim. Flat panel kitchen cabinets have no trim at all. They may or may not have hardware, depending on the overall design for the kitchen.
A line of flat panel cabinets will look like a seamless plane, unlike a set of trimmed doors that you can see individually. You can still distinguish between the doors, but they have an overall smooth appearance.
Pros and Cons of Flat Panel Cabinet Doors
To determine if slab cabinet doors are right for your kitchen, you need to assess the maintenance requirements, design flexibility and general appearance. Consider these pros and cons.
Pros:
- Flat panel doors are easier to clean than any other style.
- Because slab cabinets require less material than other door styles, they tend to be slightly less expensive.
- Flat cabinet doors come in a wide range of colors, including various shades of wood.
- Slab cabinets provide a simplistic backdrop in a kitchen with other busy elements (countertops, backsplash tile, etc.).
- The flat appearance is great for mid-century modern designs, which are trendy in many areas.
- Slab kitchen cabinets are easy to upgrade with time, should you choose to paint or stain them.
- Hardware stands out strongly on flat cabinet doors, which is great if you want to accentuate that element of your kitchen.
Cons:
- Flat cabinets and doors might be too simplistic for some kitchen designs.
- Some homeowners complain about fingerprints on flat panel doors, though that’s largely based on the color and finish.
- Low-end slab cabinets are subject to warping, but that is the case with most low-grade materials. We use high-quality cabinetry for our kitchen remodels.
- If you do not want your hardware to be noticeable, flat panel cabinetry may not be right for you.
Are Slab Cabinets in Style?
Flat panel kitchen cabinets are currently in style, but that doesn’t mean they will be forever. The good news is, this cabinet design tends to come back in style as quickly as it goes out of style. You can easily paint or stain the cabinets to fit with the latest trends, or you can update other elements of the kitchen to make them look more contemporary.
Trends come and go, regardless of what kitchen cabinet design you choose. What ultimately matters is choosing a cabinet style that functions well and suits your home’s aesthetic. If you love the look of slab cabinets, go for it! If you’d rather have more traditional cabinetry, there are tons of designs to choose from. The experts here at O’Hanlon Kitchens will help you through every step of the decision making.
If you’d like a professional kitchen cabinet design, contact O’Hanlon Kitchens at 443-285-0558 to schedule an appointment. We offer direct cabinet replacement services, as well as all-inclusive kitchen renovations.
