It’s every homeowner's dream to redo their kitchen. From demoing outdated tiles to saying “So long!” to those countertops from the 70s, a total kitchen remodel is an amazing way to showcase your aesthetic and infuse your personality into your home.

Choosing the right cabinets plays a major role in the final look of your kitchen. From neutral and minimal options to more classic and traditional styles, the options are truly endless. Get the help you need to choose the right cabinets for your space and start your kitchen reno off on the right foot.

Pick your cabinet style.

There are dozens of cabinet door styles to choose from, so you’ll want to consider all of the cabinet style options. Though there are countless existing combinations—plus customized designs—there are a few popular options you should know about:

Shaker-style cabinets: Shaker-style cabinets are very traditional and will give your space a timeless look. These cabinets are popular thanks to their clean lines and five-piece panel style that is inspired by Shaker furniture. You can choose to use these cabinets in a wood finish or paint them a modern shade to blend the best of contemporary and classic.

Flat-front cabinets. This Scandinavian style is simple, modern, and stylish. The flat-panel cabinet front doesn’t have any hardware or texture, giving them a super sleek final look. While white laminate is a popular option, you can also opt for flat-front cabinets in other colors or wooden finishes to best suit your space.

Open shelving. Instead of hiding your shelves away behind cabinet doors, it’s always an option to go with exposed, open shelving in your kitchen. This lets you show off your cookware and dishes, using them almost as accessories to accent the space. While open shelving can be an affordable option because it doesn’t require as much hardware as other cabinets, it’s also more challenging to keep organized.

Choose inset or overlay.

Once you’ve chosen your cabinet style, you’ll need to decide how you want the doors hung. The two main styles are inset and overlay doors.

Inset cabinet doors sit flush with the face of the cabinet when closed. They have a cleaner, more modern look than overlay cabinets, making them a popular option. They also, however, tend to run up 30% more in cost than overlay cabinets because of the more time-consuming installation.

Overlay cabinets, on the other hand, are attached to the cabinet face. You can choose either full or partial overlay, which will determine how much of the cabinet face is visible. Full overlay gives a more modern look by covering the entire cabinet face, while a partial overlay is a bit more traditional (but also more affordable).

Choose the cabinet color.

Almost all cabinets are available in a wide range of materials and colors, giving you an amazing array of options to get the exact look you envisioned. While traditional wood finishes or neutral shades like white and gray are always popular, don’t be afraid to think outside the box. Consider an unexpected pop of color like navy or emerald green to infuse the space with a modern touch.

Consider affordable alternatives.

While choosing custom cabinetry is the ideal way to bring your vision to life and will maximize the functionality of your space, it can sometimes also be a quick way to blow your entire budget. Retailers like Ikea are an amazing resource for getting the cabinet look and feel you want—for a fraction of the price. Choose from different combinations of base and wall cabinets, built-ins, drawer fronts, and colors to find a solution that gives you the results you want.

Now it’s time to pick you cabinets! Use our cabinet styles cheat sheet and checklist to help keep you on track. Plus, our countertop cheat sheet will help you pick the perfect topper to compliment your new kitchen.