Parts of a cabinet (cabinet anatomy)

Cabinets are much more than simple boxes with doors. They’re the backbone of your kitchen, providing much-needed storage and defining the overall look and ambiance of the space. Thus, making changes to your cabinetry is a big decision. 

Before embarking on your kitchen or bathroom remodel, understanding the different parts of a cabinet — ؅from the doors and drawers to the shelves and hardware — will help you optimize your kitchen’s overall design and functionality.

This article will examine the different parts of a kitchen cabinet, deepening your knowledge of the craftsmanship that goes into their construction. 

Cabinet construction basics: an overview

Cabinets provide the functionality you need to perform daily tasks and hugely impact your kitchen’s overall design. Each cabinet is an assembly of distinct components, each with its essential role. Knowing the different kitchen cabinet part names can help you navigate your next home improvement project.

At the heart of every cabinet is the box, or carcass — the framework for all other elements. The carcass is sturdy, capable of supporting the weight of stored items, and the doors or drawers attached to it. 

Mounted with hinges or door slides, cabinet doors and drawer fronts are the interactive faces of the cabinet and define the cabinet’s overall style.

Inside the cabinet box, the shelves provide storage, offering fixed or adjustable space to cater to your precise needs.

Bringing these components together demands a high level of precision and a range of tools — from tape measures and combination squares to drills and power saws. While building cabinets from scratch is possible for ambitious DIYers, opting for professional cabinet construction is a wise investment. 

Parts of a kitchen cabinet

Whatever level of DIY cabinetry project you might undertake, knowing the parts of a cabinet and how they fit into its overall structure will prepare you for the task at hand — whether that’s a full-scale refacing project or simply replacing a broken door or hinge. 

Let’s take a closer look at the cabinet terms and components:

Cabinet doors 

Cabinet doors serve a dual purpose, at a base level providing access to a cabinet’s contents and at a higher level contributing significantly to a kitchen’s aesthetic appeal. Cabinet doors come in an array of styles — there’s a perfect fit for every kitchen design. A few popular options include:

• Covington doors: These traditional raised-panel doors boast a timeless charm, featuring a center panel slightly elevated from the surrounding frame. 
• Slab doors: On the other end of the spectrum, sleek and modern flat-panel doors offer a clean, minimalist appearance that complements contemporary kitchen designs. Their flat, unadorned surface creates a sleek, seamless look.
• Shaker doors: Sporting clean lines and recessed center panels, Shaker-style doors strike the perfect balance of modern and classic. 

There’s a world of cabinet door options beyond just style. You can choose from various construction types, like solid wood doors for a natural, inviting look or thermofoil doors for a surface that’s modern and easy to maintain. 

Selecting a wood species enables you to further customize your cabinet doors and the look of your kitchen. From the rich tones of oak and cherry to the smooth elegance of maple, the perfect wood to complement your kitchen décor is out there. 

You can dial in your desired look even more with cabinet door profiles or stained or painted doors.

Cabinet drawers 

Cabinet drawers are indispensable for organizing and accessing kitchen essentials — from utensils and cutlery to pots, pans, and small appliances. Let’s look at the parts of a cabinet drawer.

• Drawer box: The drawer box serves as the main storage compartment. At The Cabinet Door Store, we offer options such as the hardwood dovetail drawer box, which features the American standard 5/8” hardwood sides with eased edges, or prefinished plywood drawer box made from Baltic birch. 
• Drawer fronts: Drawer fronts are the visible faces of the drawer when closed. Consequently, your choice of front greatly influences your kitchen’s look and feel. At The Cabinet Door Store, we offer a range of options, including flat-panel drawer fronts, like Shaker and Edgewater drawers, or raised-panel drawer fronts with a more traditional feel, like the Chesapeake and Cambridge styles.

Cabinet shelves

Cabinet shelves are essential storage components that hold everything from dishes and cookware to pantry staples and appliances. 

A primary consideration of cabinet shelves is their adjustability. Some cabinets feature fixed shelves, which are permanently attached to the cabinet’s interior. Others have adjustable shelves you can move up or down based on your storage needs. 

Cabinet shelves are typically the same material as the cabinet box, often plywood or particleboard. These materials are chosen for their durability and ability to withstand the weight of stored items. Shelf pins or brackets support the shelves and are installed into the cabinet sides or back. 

Cabinet face frame

Face frames are attached to the front part of the cabinet box and typically consist of vertical pieces called stiles and horizontal pieces called rails. Stiles and rails join together to create a sturdy frame that serves as the fixing point for cabinet doors and drawers. Along with the box, the face frame is integral to the cabinet’s support system, reinforcing its structure and stability.

The face frame’s design and finish are key to the kitchen’s overall style, depending on the type of face-frame cabinet you choose. Much depends on how much overlay a framed cabinet features or how much the cabinet door or drawer front covers the face frame.

There are three primary types of face-frame cabinets:

• Full overlay: The door or drawer front fully covers the face frame.
• Partial overlay: The door or drawer front leaves some of the face frame visible.
• Inset: The door or drawer fronts fit inside the face frame.

Alternatively, you can opt for frameless cabinets, which forgo the rail-and-stile frame altogether. Instead, doors and drawers attach directly to the cabinet box. 

Cabinet hardware

Often overlooked, cabinet hardware significantly contributes to your kitchen cabinets’ functionality and aesthetics. It includes components such as knobs, pulls, and hinges. While hardware serves practical purposes, it also presents an opportunity to express your style and elevate the overall look of your kitchen. Here’s a list of cabinetry hardware you may need during your construction project:

• Knobs: Small, round, or square-shaped handles used to open and close cabinet doors and drawers. They come in various designs, materials, and finishes, adding a decorative touch to your cabinetry.
• Pulls: Longer handles that offer a firmer grip for opening cabinets, often mounted horizontally on doors or vertically on drawers. They come in diverse styles and lengths, making them versatile for different cabinet designs.
• Handles: A broad category that includes both knobs and pulls, offering a wide array of shapes, sizes, and styles to suit various cabinet configurations.
• Hinges: Mounting hardware consisting of plates and pins that enables cabinet doors to swing open and close. Concealed hinges are hidden from view when the doors are shut, creating a sleek appearance, while exposed hinges can add a traditional or rustic touch.
• Soft-close hinges: Special hinges that feature a mechanism to slow down and close the cabinet doors gently and quietly, preventing them from slamming.
• Drawer slides: Mechanisms that affix to the sides of the drawer box and cabinet interior that allow drawers to slide in and out smoothly. They’re available in various types, including side-mount, under-mount, and center-mount, providing different load capacities and drawer extension lengths. Some advanced drawer slides also feature soft-close technology, gently pulling the drawer closed when pushed slightly.
• Catches: Devices used to hold cabinet doors closed securely, such as magnetic, roller, or ball catches.
• Drawer pull-outs: Inserts or trays that fit inside drawers, optimizing storage space and organization.
• Drawer dividers: Partitions or compartments that divide drawer space, keeping items separated and orderly.
• Lazy Susans: Rotating trays or shelves that maximize corner cabinet storage, allowing easy access to items.
• Shelf brackets: Support hardware for shelves ensuring stability and strength.
• Glass clips: Holders that secure glass panels in cabinet doors, providing an elegant display of dishware or decorative items.
• Grommets and wire management: Organizational hardware to manage cables and wires, maintaining a tidy and clutter-free kitchen.
• Cabinet legs and feet: Hardware that elevates the cabinet off the floor.

Understanding how parts of a kitchen cabinet impact aesthetics

When designing your kitchen, each part of a cabinet plays a role in creating a kitchen that truly reflects your style and preferences.

Doors and drawers are the most visible parts of a cabinet. Whether they have raised panels for a classic look or flat panels for a modern touch, they significantly influence a kitchen’s overall aesthetic. 

Additionally, your choice of hardware, such as knobs, pulls, and hinges, can further add a decorative touch. For instance, choosing brushed nickel hardware can give your kitchen a modern and contemporary look, while oil-rubbed bronze hardware adds rustic charm.

Beyond style, the material and finish of the cabinet parts also impact aesthetics. Solid wood doors create a warm and inviting ambiance, while laminate doors are sleek and easy to maintain. You can further customize your cabinet doors by carefully selecting a wood species, such as oak, cherry, or maple. You can also paint or stain your cabinet doors — or buy them pre-painted or pre-stained — to achieve the exact color and finish you desire. 

Combine all these parts of cabinet construction to create a cohesive and visually appealing kitchen that perfectly complements your style and elevates your home’s overall look.

How to choose kitchen cabinet parts

Selecting the perfect parts for your kitchen cabinets requires careful consideration and thoughtful planning. Here are some steps to guide you in making the right choices:

• Define your style: Begin by determining your preferred kitchen style. Are you drawn to a classic and timeless look, or do you lean toward a modern and sleek design? Identifying your style preferences will help you narrow down options for cabinet doors, drawers, and hardware that align with your vision.
• Assess your kitchen layout: Consider the layout and size of your kitchen. If you have a compact space, maximizing storage with cleverly designed drawers and pull-out shelves could be the way to go. For larger kitchens, you might make a statement with larger doors and drawers.
• Think about functionality: Do you need deep drawers for pots and pans? More shelving for organizing pantry items? Taking stock of your storage requirements will help you determine the ideal combination of cabinets, shelves, and drawers.
• Explore cabinet door styles: Explore various styles, such as Shaker, slab, or glass. Each brings a unique charm to your kitchen. Shaker doors offer a classic appeal, while slab doors exude modern simplicity. Glass-front doors can showcase your beautiful dishware and add an element of elegance.
• Consider cabinet hardware: Your choice of hardware, such as knobs and pulls, significantly impacts your kitchen’s overall aesthetics. Look for hardware that complements your chosen cabinet style while providing functionality and ease of use.
• Select the right materials: Pick the material that best fits your space. Wood doors offer a warm and natural look, while laminate doors are sleek and contemporary. Choose materials that match your style and budget.
• Consult with experts: If you’re overwhelmed or uncertain, seek advice from professional kitchen designers or cabinet experts. They can provide valuable insights and help you find the perfect combination of cabinet parts that meet your needs and elevate your kitchen.

Learn more with The Cabinet Door Store

At The Cabinet Door Store, we’re passionate about helping homeowners create their dream kitchens. We offer a wide range of cabinet parts to suit any style and budget. Whether you’re replacing a single part or planning a full kitchen renovation, our team of experts is here to help. 

Explore our range of products today. If you’re ready to dive into your kitchen remodeling project, contact us. We’re always here to answer your questions and guide you through the process.