Drawer Front Styles

Slab

• The most basic style of drawer front is a slab front. As its name implies, it's simply a slab of plywood that's cut to fit flush with the drawer box. It has a flat, smooth surface with no decorative molding or panels. Because of its sleek, streamlined appearance, it works well in a contemporary style kitchen or bathroom. Slab drawer fronts are also a better option for smaller drawer spaces because decorative styles can appear out of proportion on compact drawer fronts.

Frame-and-Panel

• For a more decorative look, a frame-and-panel style drawer front is an ideal option. Unlike a slab front that's made of a single piece of wood or plywood, the framework is composed of stiles and rails that enclose a flat panel. It creates a classic look for your drawer fronts, though you can customize the decorative details on the edge of the frames to meet your home's style. Choose from frame-and-panel drawers that feature basic plywood slabs or solid wood panels with raised, arch tops.

Slab with Molding

• If you prefer a raised panel look for your drawer fronts but require a budget-friendly alternative, the slab with molding style of drawer front may be a good option. A standard slab drawer is embellished with pieces of molding to give it a paneled effect. Because of the ease of construction, slab with applied molding drawer fronts are ideal if you're building your own cabinets because it gives you a detailed look without much work. You can use basic molding purchased at a home improvement store, so it's not a costly project. However, if you plan to build slab with molding drawer fronts, it can be difficult to match the molding to the slab panel with stain. As a result, it's usually best to paint the drawers and cabinets.

Beadboard

• Beadboard drawer fronts feature the trademark vertical panels of beadboard to provide a charming, rustic look. The beadboard panel is usually surrounded by basic molding to give the drawer front an even more decorative look. They're an ideal option for a country kitchen or bathroom, and work well in a cottage style home as well.