Flat panel kitchen cabinets ideas
Choosing cabinet fronts is an important decision for the kitchen design. It, no doubt, influences the visual appearance of the kitchen but also affects cleaning aspects, and light reflection. The way light reflects on flat surface kitchen cabinets can change the perception of the kitchen size. But let’s start from the beginning - and talk about what are flat-panel kitchen cabinets. They are slab-front cabinets with no grooves and carvings. Unlike five-part shakers, raised panels or other detailed doors, they have a completely flat surface.
Kitchens with slab cabinets have their own unique aesthetic. Flat-face cabinets allow for modern and contemporary kitchens and are often used for European designs, such as the German handleless kitchen style. If you have a small kitchen, using flat-slab kitchen cabinets visually expands the space. When combined with a light glossy finish flat-front kitchen cabinets will help hide the tightness and give a sleek and stylish look.
Flat panel cabinet kitchens can be painted in a variety of colours, from crispy white to achieve an airy feel to stylish matte black highlighting a modern vibe. Slab-front kitchen cabinets may benefit from using a variety of bright colours as well. If your units are wooden or veneered staining the slab surface of kitchen cabinets may accent their unique grain and rich wood appearance.
The choice of hardware for kitchen cabinet flat panels may seem a bit tricky, but the bright side is that they match well with almost all modern handle options. If you like the sleek appearance of t-bars then you will be happy to hear those slab cabinets for the kitchen can used with any length of t-bar handles. J-pulls are the one of most popular options for slab-style cabinets in minimal kitchens.
Motley patterns of splashback tiles, concrete or quartz benchtops are trendy options that are easy to find in the Canadian market. The availability of a wide range of materials, textures and colours simplifies greatly the process of designing a kitchen with flat-panel cabinets. All that remains for you is to clearly imagine the kitchen you want. And that is exactly what this blog will help you with. For those searching for slab-panel kitchen cabinet ideas, this Cut2Size post will offer the best cabinet finishes and colour options that will complement the kitchen and not make it look boring.
The main benefits of slab-style kitchen cabinets
Slab door style kitchen cabinets are basically what the name implies. Kitchen cabinets with flat panel doors have 90 degree-corners and are void of wood carvings, moldings and trims. You are more likely to see flat panel door kitchen cabinets in modern and minimalist interiors since flat front cabinet doors have a clean and streamlined appearance perfect for the contemporary aesthetic.
Many people are confused with flat cabinet doors and cabinet doors that are not flat. It’s a bit difficult to distinguish because there are many cabinet door designs that combine traditional beauty with modern or contemporary. Therefore, there are a lot of variations of flat-face cabinet doors.
However, when we talk primarily about slab door kitchen cabinets, it only describes the specific which is the flat slab door cabinets. Modern slab door kitchen cabinets can be made of a variety of materials and come in different sizes and colours. If you are looking for a practical and simple cabinet door design, go for melamine slab door cabinets. If you are starting to build your kitchen and still unsure what your interior style is, kitchen cabinet slab doors would also be ideal. The simple and minimalistic appearance of slab cabinet doors is what makes them a popular slab doors kitchen cabinet design in most modern homes.
Moreover, kitchen cabinets with slab doors are easier to maintain. Slab cabinets are also ready to assemble. You can easily choose the proper hardware for the kitchen cabinet's slab door from stores. Look for RTA cabinet slab doors or RTA slab door kitchen cabinets if you prefer to DIY your next home renovation project.
Flat panel kitchen cabinets vs shaker-style
On closer examination, there is a huge difference between shaker vs flat panel cabinets in terms of function, style, price, and aesthetic. Most interior design enthusiasts compare shaker vs slab cabinets. Many would argue which of the two is better.
However, slab kitchen cabinets vs shakers can stand out in almost any type of kitchen style because they are very versatile. For example, mixing slab and shaker cabinets creates an unconventional and creative contemporary look that can make a kitchen truly eye-catching. Other designers use slab drawers with shaker cabinets to combine two styles and create a unique aesthetic that blends modern with the traditional in very subtle details. This solution is popular in rustic chic or modern farmhouse interior styles.
If you live in an apartment or condo unit in the middle of a busy metropolis but want to integrate the country vibe into your space, combining shaker cabinet doors with flat cabinet doors will undoubtedly pull off the ideal kitchen look you want.
Kitchen with flat panel cabinet styles
Wondering why flat panel cabinets are fit only for modern and contemporary interiors? You’ll find out in this section as we take a deeper dive into the characteristics of these styles.
- Modern flat panel kitchen cabinets
We now know that flat-panel modern kitchen cabinets are for modern interiors. Are they really only for modern interiors or can modern slab cabinets be also installed in traditional-styled kitchens? In fact, modern flat cabinets are versatile. However, when it comes to interior design, consistency, coherence, and balance are all taken into account.
Therefore, modern slab kitchen cabinets as the phrase itself says are meant for modern space. Visit a condo unit or an apartment from a newly built residential building and you’ll instantly notice that all their interior features are streamlined and simple and they most likely have modern white slab kitchen cabinets. - High gloss flat panel kitchen cabinets
Flat panel kitchen cabinets can be high gloss or matte depending on your preferences. Shiny flat-panel kitchen cabinets look more elegant and sophisticated. They are intended for high-end and luxurious homes. Matt finish slab style kitchen cabinets on the other hand have a more modest and simple appearance which makes them ideal in minimalist apartments. - Contemporary flat panel kitchen cabinets
Many people find it difficult to differentiate contemporary from modern design. Both have similarities and distinctions. Modern design refers to a certain design movement or revolution while contemporary is all about convenience and versatility. If the current trend in kitchen design today is contemporary-style slab door cabinets, then this is the perfect style for you if you want to stay on top of the trend. One advantage of keeping up with the trend is that you can get your kitchen updated with the newest practical and functional solutions of today's innovative designs. - European flat panel kitchen cabinets
If you want to update and simplify your traditional kitchen, go for euro slab cabinets. These are frameless slab cabinets that do not have heavy ornamentation but have sophisticated and stylishly elegant hardware. Face framed cabinets with modern slab fronts are being modified in so many ways to fit the perfect European flat panel cabinets. Flat panel cabinets have been around since the early Industrial Revolution period.
The most popular colour schemes for slab cabinets
A painted flat-panel kitchen cabinet is more attractive and interesting compared to plain white cabinets. Vintage flat-panel kitchen cabinets often keep the natural wood grain of the product. Updating cabinets with a new finish or paint color can make a huge difference in your kitchen especially if you’re just planning for a minimal renovation. Here are a few cabinet colour tips you can do.
- Flat-panel white kitchen cabinets
When it comes to designing the kitchen, the colour white will almost always be present. White represents cleanliness and simplicity which is necessary for the kitchen space. Flat-panel kitchen cabinets in white colour are the most common slab cabinets you can find. White flat-panel kitchen cabinets lend an elegant and streamlined look to a kitchen and they can be paired with any other bold colors.
White flat-panel kitchen cabinets with black hardware are the most popular combination in the kitchen. Black hardware, whether it is glossy or matte can easily stand out against the neutral modern white flat-panel kitchen cabinets.
The flat front white flat-panel kitchen cabinets also look great when paired with wooden elements. You will notice that white kitchen cabinets with flat panels are the best choice if you’re opting for a black granite countertop or countertops with darker colours. A white flat panel cabinet in the kitchen can be high gloss or matte. White slab kitchen cabinets with a gloss finish can be easily cleaned compared to white slab door kitchen cabinets with a matte or paint finish. Regardless of what finish and material you choose for your slab white kitchen cabinets, their durability and appearance will still depend on how you maintain your white slab door cabinets. As long as you know the right upkeep procedures and characteristics of the material they’re made of, you’ll have no problem keeping your white slab front kitchen cabinets looking good as new. - Grey flat-panel kitchen cabinets
Another colour that we can’t skip talking about is the gray flat-panel kitchen cabinets. If you want to go neutral but you don’t want your kitchen to look too clinical, opt for gray kitchen cabinets. Grey slab kitchen cabinets are versatile to combine with different colours and textures. They are the perfect option if you can’t decide between going neutral with your colour scheme or adding a bit of colour. Moreover, you can easily mix and match gray slab cabinets with both neutral and colourful schemes. - Black flat-panel kitchen cabinets
Black kitchens are a thing. They make kitchens look elegant, expensive, and contemporary. Many people are opting for black slab kitchen cabinets because they look amazing, even though they have to be cleaned more often. To go for a black kitchen, you also need to consider your home’s interior design scheme. Everything should be blended and matched together. If you want a modern but more unconventional look, purchase black slab cabinets and transform your kitchen into a luxurious elegant space. - Blue flat-panel kitchen cabinets
Blue cabinets are for people who love to have a subtle splash of colour in their kitchen. Blue is the right blend between neutral and colourful. It makes kitchens lively and adds personality and fun to the interior. Get blue kitchen cabinets by painting your flat panel cabinets with any shades of blue that will match your interior. You can go for light or darker shades. Navy blue slab kitchen cabinets tend to be a little darker which is great if your goal is to evoke drama and luxury. Another alternative for blue is green flat-panel kitchen cabinets. You can go for the latter if you are eager to create warmth in the kitchen interior.
Flat panel wood kitchen cabinets
Wood and unfinished flat-panel kitchen cabinets are other options for homeowners who prefer to preserve the natural wood grain of unfinished slab cabinets. Flat wood cabinets work in both modern and traditional interiors. Solid wood slab cabinets are also very durable. You can purchase solid wood and get your wood slab cabinets custom-made.
Now, there are many types of wood that cabinets can be made of. Here are the 3 most popular.
| Wood type | Description |
| Walnut slab cabinets | Flat-panel walnut kitchen cabinets have a deep, dark, rich colour which makes them perfect for cottage-like houses. Walnut flat-panel kitchen cabinets are easy to care for and maintain. However, walnut slab kitchen cabinets might fade over time. To preserve the colour of your walnut slab cabinets, you can stain them to protect or apply sealants. Slab walnut kitchen cabinets stand out against a white or neutral backdrop. If you go for walnut cabinets, make sure your kitchen walls are painted in a neutral colour. |
| Flat-panel oak kitchen cabinets | Oak flat panel kitchen cabinets are for traditional kitchens however they can also be updated and look modern using different styling techniques. Go for white oak flat-panel kitchen cabinets instead of the unfinished look. Oak slab kitchen cabinets have the characteristics and look of vintage ones, so if you want to mix contemporary with traditional, oak slab cabinets are the ideal cabinetry choice. |
| Flat-panel maple kitchen cabinets | One of the sturdiest and most resilient types of natural wood is maple. In terms of durability and longevity, maple slab cabinets top the list. If you want kitchen cabinets that will last a long time, opt for slab maple cabinets. You can stain maple slab kitchen cabinets or paint them for a navy kitchen slab cabinet look. Maple slab door kitchen cabinets are still very much in style because of how adaptable and timeless they are. |
How do you determine which cabinet is the best option? First, look for mood boards with flat panel unfinished kitchen cabinets on the internet. Second, find out the characteristics of unfinished slab cabinets. Compare prices of unfinished slab door kitchen cabinets and research the advantages and disadvantages of unfinished slab kitchen cabinets. You can also protect the wooden cabinets by glazing them or tell your handyman if you want stained flat-panel kitchen cabinets.
