Cabinetry is a fundamental component in commercial design, blending function with aesthetic appeal to create spaces that are both practical and visually striking.

Whether you’re outfitting a retail shop, office, or hospitality suite, the right cabinets can enhance organization, maximize storage, and reflect your desired design style. Before making design decisions, it’s important to have a basic understanding of the different types of cabinets to ensure you select options that fit your needs and budget.

At South Coast Improvement Company, we’ve worked extensively with commercial clients to deliver cabinetry solutions tailored to their design and operational needs.

This guide explores the types of cabinets, cabinet door styles, frame constructions, grades, and other essential details to help you make well-informed decisions for your commercial space. Consider this article your comprehensive kitchen cabinet style guide for commercial environments.

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What Are the Three Types of Cabinets?

Stock Cabinets

Stock cabinets are pre-manufactured and sold in standard sizes and styles, making them a readily available and budget-friendly option.

Key Features

• Come in limited designs and sizes.
• Typically made with materials like particleboard or medium-density fiberboard (MDF).
• Often finished with veneer or laminate for durability.
• Available at an entry level price point, making them accessible for budget-conscious projects.

Pros and Cons for Commercial Use

• Pros: Affordable, quick delivery, and suitable for projects with tight budgets or timelines.
• Cons: Limited customization, potentially less durable than higher-end options.

Semi-Custom Cabinets

Semi-custom cabinets allow for some design adjustments, such as resizing or selecting finishes and hardware, providing a balance between stock and fully customized options.

Key Features

• Offer more style and size flexibility than stock cabinets.
• Include additional customizations like decorative door styles and upgraded materials.
• Semi custom cabinets offer more styles and customization options compared to stock cabinets, giving you a greater variety of choices.

Benefits and Limitations

• Pros: Cost-effective while offering moderate personalization. Semi custom cabinets offer more styles, finishes, and features, providing greater variety for commercial spaces.
• Cons: Customization options are still limited compared to fully custom cabinets.

Custom Cabinets

Custom cabinets are built to the exact specifications of your space and offer unlimited design possibilities.

Key Features

• Tailored to specific dimensions, materials, and finishes.
• Provide endless design versatility for unique commercial spaces.
• Custom cabinets offer the widest range of wood types, finishes, and construction options.

Advantages for Unique Commercial Spaces

• Perfect for irregular layouts or specialized functions.
• Offers the highest quality and precision, often pairing seamlessly with high-end design aesthetics.
• Custom cabinets can be made from various materials, allowing for complete personalization.
• Custom cabinets are often considered the best cabinets for achieving a unique, high-quality commercial design.

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Cabinet Construction

Cabinet construction is a foundational element in determining the quality, durability, and visual appeal of your kitchen cabinets. Unlike cabinet doors, which define the exterior look, cabinet construction refers to how the cabinet box itself is built—a detail that can make a big impression on both the function and longevity of your cabinetry.

There are two primary construction platforms to consider: framed and frameless cabinets. Framed cabinets feature a face frame attached to the front of the cabinet box, adding extra strength and stability. This construction style is often favored in traditional and classic kitchen designs, where the visible frame complements timeless cabinet door styles and offers a sturdy feel.

Frameless cabinets, by contrast, eliminate the face frame entirely. This approach maximizes interior storage space and creates a seamless, modern look that’s especially popular in contemporary kitchens and commercial spaces seeking a sleek, minimalist aesthetic. The absence of a face frame allows for larger cabinet doors and cabinet drawers, contributing to a streamlined appearance and easier access to stored items. Custom kitchen cabinets and cabinetry drawers for vital for many businesses looking to upgrade their style.

Your choice of cabinet construction should reflect your personal style, the functional needs of your space, and the overall design vision. Framed cabinets tend to be easier to repair and maintain, making them a practical choice for high-traffic areas or spaces where durability is a priority. Frameless cabinets, while offering a modern edge and more usable space, may require more careful handling and precise installation.

Installation requirements also differ: framed cabinets often demand more labor and expertise, while frameless cabinets can be quicker to install but may need extra attention to ensure perfect alignment. Maintenance considerations are important as well—framed cabinets are generally simpler to repair, whereas frameless cabinets, with their flush surfaces, can be more susceptible to wear and tear over time.

When choosing between these construction types, consider your budget, lifestyle, and the desired kitchen cabinet style. The right cabinet construction not only supports your design goals but also enhances the value and functionality of your remodeled room, ensuring your new cabinetry stands the test of time and daily use.

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Exploring Cabinet Door Styles

Flat Panel or Slab Doors

Modern Simplicity

Flat panel doors are sleek and minimalist, with a smooth, unembellished surface. The flat panel door style is a minimalist option featuring a single, unembellished surface, making it ideal for modern and contemporary kitchens. Flat panel cabinets are a popular choice for contemporary cabinets due to their sleek, modern appearance and absence of ornamentation.

• Commercial Applications: Best suited for modern offices, high-tech spaces, or contemporary retail environments.

Shaker Doors

Timeless Versatility

A classic design featuring a recessed center panel and clean edges, ideal for blending with various styles. The shaker style is a classic cabinet design known for its five-piece recessed panel and minimal ornamentation, offering timeless appeal and versatility.

• Ideal Uses: Perfect for professional offices, hospitality lounges, and educational centers.

Beadboard Doors

Textured Appearance

Beadboard cabinet doors feature vertical lines that add texture and visual interest, giving cabinets a rustic or cottage-style charm to spaces.

• Applications: Frequently used in themed restaurants, boutique retail stores, or creative coworking spaces. Beadboard cabinet doors are typically used for lower cabinets, as they are less suitable for upper cabinets due to cleaning challenges.

Glass Front Cabinets

Elegance and Function

Glass cabinet doors transform storage into a display feature, perfect for showcasing products. Clear glass is often used in kitchen cabinet doors to create an open, airy feel and allow full visibility of the contents. Glass panels can be incorporated into cabinet doors for added customization and visual appeal, enhancing both the design and functionality of the space.

• Best Uses: Retail displays, hotel lobbies, and upscale meeting rooms benefit from this design element.

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Cabinet Frame Types

Framed Cabinets

Traditional Construction

Framed cabinets include a face frame attached to the front of the cabinet box, offering enhanced stability. Framed cabinets can feature partial overlay or full overlay doors, with partial overlay doors exposing more of the frame for a traditional look, while full overlay doors cover most or all of the frame for a more modern appearance.

Pros and Cons for Commercial Projects

• Pros: Durable and less prone to shifting.
• Cons: Slightly reduces internal storage capacity due to the added frame.

Frameless Cabinets

Modern and Full-Access Design

Frameless cabinets, also known as European-style cabinets, lack a face frame, maximizing storage and offering a sleek design.

• Advantages: Ideal for maximizing functionality without compromising modern aesthetics, often preferred in coworking spaces or modern kitchenettes.

Inset Cabinets

Seamless Look

The doors and drawers of inset cabinets fit flush within the cabinet frame, requiring precise craftsmanship. For inset cabinets, hinges are often placed on the outside edge of the door, which requires especially accurate installation.

• Best Applications: Popular in luxury commercial designs that emphasize precision and detail.

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Grades of Cabinets Explained

Builder Grade

Entry-Level Affordability

Builder-grade cabinets are simple and cost-effective, typically made with particleboard and laminate finishes.

• Best Use Cases: Suitable for budget-conscious projects, such as small retail units or temporary office spaces.

Standard Grade

Balanced Quality and Value

A mix of plywood and MDF construction, standard-grade cabinets strike a perfect balance between durability and price.

• Applications: Works well in mid-range commercial offices, breakrooms, and average retail environments.

Premium Grade

Top-Tier Durability and Aesthetics

Constructed with high-quality plywood and solid wood frames, premium-grade cabinets offer superior craftsmanship.

• Suitable Spaces: Ideal for upscale interiors like boutique hotels or high-end professional offices.

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What Is the Most Popular Cabinet Style?

The most popular cabinet type depends largely on the specific goals of your project. Kitchen cabinet styles, your chosen color palette, and the selection of countertops all play a significant role in achieving your remodeling dreams.

• Stock Cabinets: Favored for quick installations and tighter budgets.
• Semi-Custom Cabinets: Popular for their mix of affordability and customization.
• Frameless Cabinets: Lead the pack in modern designs for their sleek, full-access functionality.

For example, one of our recent projects for Atria Merrimack Place involved premium semi-custom cabinets, balancing affordability with luxury to create a sophisticated yet functional space. When planning your remodel, be sure to coordinate your cabinet choice with your overall color palette and countertops to ensure a cohesive and visually appealing design.

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South Coast Improvement Company’s Expertise

At South Coast Improvement Company, our design-build approach ensures every cabinetry project is seamless and stress-free. By acting as your single point of contact for design and construction, we prioritize communication and accountability from start to finish.

With accolades like the Design-Build Institute of America Bronze Award and a 90% repeat business rate since 1990, you can trust us to deliver tailor-made cabinetry solutions for your commercial space.

• Streamlined Process: One cohesive team manages design and construction.
• Customized Results: Tailored cabinetry solutions that meet your specific needs.
• Proven Success: Trusted by industries ranging from hospitality to healthcare.

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Transform Your Commercial Space When Choosing Cabinets

Cabinetry plays an essential role in defining the functionality and style of commercial spaces. Whether you prioritize affordability, customization, or modernity, understanding your options ensures the finished product meets your expectations.

Partner with South Coast Improvement Company for your cabinetry needs and experience the difference in expertise, professionalism, and client satisfaction. Explore what we can achieve together by visiting our design-build service page.

Ways to Learn More About Cabinets

Explore Cabinetry Styles and Materials: Research various cabinetry styles and materials through trusted resources like HGTV’s Cabinet Guide.

Understand Cabinet Construction: Learn about cabinet construction techniques with in-depth articles on Woodworking Network.

Read Industry Blogs: Follow industry blogs for updates and trends, such as Kitchen & Bath Business.

Watch Design Tutorials: YouTube channels like House & Home offer detailed tutorials on cabinet design and customization.

Visit Cabinet Showrooms: Check local cabinet showrooms or virtual tours available on platforms like Wayfair Professional.

Dive Into DIY Projects: Websites like This Old House share step-by-step guides to create or upgrade cabinets at home.

Consult Professional Organizations: Refer to resources from organizations like the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) for professional advice.

Browse Product Reviews: Explore cabinet reviews from sites such as Consumer Reports for real user feedback.

Attend Home Improvement Events: Participate in events and expos like KBIS (Kitchen & Bath Industry Show) for the latest innovations in cabinetry.

Connect With Expert Designers: Engage with certified designers through platforms like Houzz to receive expert insights for your cabinetry goals.

 

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