Cabinet Drawer Fronts

Drawer Fronts look simple and to the point, but in fact, there are many different styles that a homeowner can choose from! Signature Cabinet Studio is here to break it down for our clients. This way creative brains, Pinterest boards, and realistic budget expectations don’t conflict.

Slab Drawer Fronts

There are two common main types of slab drawer fronts, the Slab Drawer Front and the Solid Slab Drawer Front. These choices are often made to be cost effective, ease of cleanability, and the simple appearance. The only changes to the drawer fronts are cosmetic and do not change the structure of the drawer. Here is the difference between these drawer fronts:

Slab Drawer Front: The slab drawer front is a flat panel without any decorative edges. These are a simple flat panel for the face of your drawer.

Solid Slab Drawer Front: The solid Slab Drawer Front is a panel with decorative edges to match the door style. They are often made of a mixture of wood and mdf, or purely mdf. Certain products may only have this option due to the door style chosen. Some prefer this option over others to keep the uniform look without overbearing the space.

Slab (left), Solid Slab (Right)

Combo / Large Drawer Fronts

Combo, Mixed, or Large Drawer fronts are a combination of slab and five piece headers. This style has evolved into this because of manufacturers and design preferences. This look is often used for functionality, aesthetics, and cost. The cost is often counted per drawer front, so this gives many homeowners the flexibility to have a middle price range and keep the aesthetic. Some door styles may have trim that is too thick on the edges to be able to fit any hardware on the cabinet face. To avoid this, only the small drawers will become the slab front. Most of the cabinets will have the top drawer be slab while the remaining drawers are five piece headers; but if there are some drawer cabinets that are only slab fronts due to the inability to make them pretty and functional.

Five Piece Header Drawer Fronts

five piece header drawer fronts have this name due to the construction of them. They are created with five pieces; two vertical pieces (Stiles) and two horizontal pieces (Rails) and one panel in the center for the hardware to be installed on. The style of the drawer front is dependent on the door style chosen for your space, and will often match the style of the door. Many homeowners love this look because of the consistent appearance throughout the space of the cabinetry; however this is the most expensive option due to the labor put into each drawer front.

Overall, this is a decision that comes down to preference, cost, and the look that you want for your home! Please discuss with your designer if you are looking for a certain type of drawer front; this will assist everyone with selecting the perfect door style with the drawer front style that you are looking for!