Cabinets are one of the most expensive elements in a kitchen. They’re also a major decision that lasts a long time.

A quality cabinet maker can offer many door styles, finishes and construction options. This gives a customer design flexibility that rivals a fully custom cabinet. The key is doing your homework upfront.

Waterworks

Known for classic American bath fittings and hardware, Waterworks expanded into kitchens a few years ago. Its cabinet options come in four collections with multiple colors and finishes that can be customized to suit your style.

The company’s Belden range, designed by Steven Sclaroff, exemplifies the brand’s style: Simple cove molding paired with a wide, flat band references both American Federal detailing and 20th-century French neoclassicism. The cabinets are assembled in the US and custom fabricated with premium materials such as American walnut, quarter-sawn white oak and maple. Their joinery looks like art and is finished with hand-applied paint or stains.

Among other things, the company offers an immersive online shopping experience, with designers who can walk you through the options. They also work on full kitchen renovations, bringing all the pieces together into a cohesive, functional space. They can even add the finishing touches, such as a new countertop, sink or lighting. This service is complimentary with purchases over $3,000. Free ground shipping applies to all online orders.

Plain English

While Custom Kitchen Cabinets might seem like a no-brainer—they’re essentially boxes for holding plates, glasses and cooking utensils—the decision-making process can be surprisingly involved. It’s a huge investment and you want to make sure you get it right.

British company Plain English and its less-pricey offshoot, British Standard, have nabbed a cult following with designs that have a modern-rustic, pared-back style. They work in homes from every era and complement both urban and country living spaces.

Their bespoke kitchens are tailored to each client’s lifestyle, with creative configurations and smart storage solutions. They offer unlimited choices for paint colors and counters, and a large selection of sinks, taps, and handles. You can see their designs at their showrooms in London and Suffolk or online at their virtual show room. They also have a semi-custom line with a finite number of options for those wanting a more affordable option.

Knotty Alder

Knotty alder cabinet doors are eye-catching because of their natural beauty and rustic appeal. Homeowners choose them for a country kitchen design that can complement modern designs.

The wood has a closed grain that accepts stain well. It also has a low density rating on the Janka hardness scale and can be bent easily. Its softness makes it more durable than other types of cabinets. It withstands slammed doors and other everyday wear and tear without denting.

Because the trees are abundant and grow quickly, there is always an ample supply of raw materials for cabinet makers to work with. The wood can be found in various areas and is cheaper than cabinets made of other types of solid hardwood.

Shaker

Shaker cabinets are a staple for traditional, rustic and contemporary kitchens. Despite their minimalist design, they offer ample room for creativity. For example, you can pair them with open shelving to hide appliances for a cleaner look. You can also use them as a focal point by pairing them with bright, colorful finishes like white or deep grey.

The cabinet style gets its name from the Shaker religious community, which was founded in the 18th century. This group was nicknamed the Shaking Quakers because of their robust body movements during religious services. They built functional and durable furniture from wood in a variety of finishes, including cherry, maple and oak.

You can find shaker cabinets in a wide range of price points. However, you should aim for a quality construction. This includes plywood or MDF/HDF (medium-density and high-density fiberboard), as well as solid wood face frames. This combination will ensure that your cabinets last and will look great for years to come.