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Should door style and drawer style be different?

15 years ago

My cabinets came today and when they were unwrapped, I saw that the drawers - and I have many - are the same style as the doors. I ordered a plainer drawer front because I didn't want so much going on on the smaller scale of the drawers. I'll call the cabinet maker in the morning, but I'm wondering, when there are so many large, deep drawers for pots, baking dishes, mixing bowls, etc., in addition to the more conventional size drawers, how you decide which should be plain and which should keep the style of the doors? I have one stack of four drawers: three sized for silverware, etc., and the bottom one twice the depth for whatever. I'd like the three to be plain, and top row of drawers all the way around to be plain as well.

Is there a rule of thumb that I haven't come across?

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Comments (10)

mmme
15 years ago
My KD offered that as an option: I could have all drawer fronts match the doors, or I could have all drawer fronts slab-style, or I could have a mix. (I chose to have narrow drawers slab-style, but deep drawers will match doors.) I am glad she asked because I would not have known to indicate otherwise.

I'm not sure but I think the default is having drawers match doors.
brutuses
15 years ago
I'm glad you mentioned this because I didn't even realize it was an option. I just assumed they were all plain, like the ones I have now. I'm going to sign contract for cabinets this morning so I can get this clarified. Thanks for mentioning and sorry I don't have any recommendations right now. Maybe after I decide on mine I will.
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I go with cloud_swift's idea. Although my eye is anal, so I'd have the line of 5-panel going straight across. There are drawers that are just too short to warrant the stiles and rails. Those, I'd go with slab. The larger drawers, where you could actually see the recessed panel, would be where I'd go 5-panel. It's the same with tall, skinny cabinets. 9" cabinets wouldn't show the detail! The rails and stiles would be right next to each other! The detail does show, even with darker cabinets. A pure slab is very much more modern -- unless they're inset. But you haven't mentioned which. As much as you talk about your handles and pulls, they're still going on a door or drawer. The detail behind them -- or lack thereof -- will change how the jewelery is showcased. I'd suggest just being consistent. Maybe all the top, skinny drawers slab, with the larger, lower drawers being detailed. You chose this because you liked it in the first place. Are you settling?
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cheri127
15 years ago
my3sons: do you know whether you paid for the simpler drawer fronts or the more elaborate ones? If the wrong drawers were ordered and you switch them out for slabs, you may have a refund due because slab drawers are definitely cheaper than 5-piece.
rhome410
15 years ago
Ours are all in sets of 3...a shallower top drawer and 2 deep ones underneath. The top ones have slab fronts and the other 2 match the doors.
ccoombs1
15 years ago
because my bottom cabs are mostly drawers and only a few doors, I decided I want everything to match. No slab drawers. I do like the way Rhome's kitchen looks though....very pretty!!
paul_ma
15 years ago
I also have no slab drawers. All are 5-piece shaker style.
IMO they look much better that way - I don't like the mix in of slab. But I know it is a matter of taste.

Here is what mine look like:
lewbloom
15 years ago
I agree with Paul. It is all about your taste. If you want to mix it up I would make sure that your cabinet knobs pulls it all together. Good luck
sombreuil_mongrel
15 years ago
I have slab top drawers and any of the few lower drawers are paneled and molded to match the doors. It's done either way, depending on the look you're after. Slab drawers can have a broad molded edge like a raised panel border.

Casey
ljsandler
15 years ago
Mine are top drawer slab, drawers 2 and 3 match door style.
igloochic
15 years ago
i have a very wide shaker style trim on the face, and big knobs. if i'd have done all of them to match the doors, i'd have had tiny little slits in some of the drawer fronts, so for that reason i have some slab and some five piece.

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