It’s not easy to choose the layout for your kitchen cabinets.
The standard solution is to choose a specific type of kitchen cabinet and then use this as the foundation for your layout. However, it is common for property owners to start mixing things up.
This includes the idea of mixing shaker and flat-panel cabinets.
You can consider mixing shaker and flat-panel cabinets. As long as there’s a standardized theme (i.e. similar color), there’s nothing wrong with mixing the cabinet styles. It will still look aesthetically pleasing and stylish.
When putting together the cabinet layout, it’s highly recommended to pay attention to the overall theme. This is what defines how the cabinets look at the end of the day.
This article is going to provide a few tips on how to go about mixing shaker and flat-panel cabinets the right way.
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Tips For Mixing Shaker And Flat Panel Cabinets
1. Set An Overall Theme
When mixing cabinet styles, it’s important to look at the theme of your kitchen.
Imagine walking into a kitchen where the cabinets look odd. This happens due to the pattern and/or color scheme across the entire room.
You never want to mix and match colors in a kitchen.
Whatever cabinet style you choose, you have to ensure the colors match. This is how you are going to get the type of finishing that will bring a smile to your face.
Let’s assume you are looking at mixing shaker and flat-panel cabinets.
In a situation such as this, your best option is to set an overall theme. This would be something like going with an all-white kitchen.
Even if you start mixing shaker and flat-panel cabinets, the colors will still match. This is how the two styles will mesh and look great. Sometimes, it’s the overall theme that makes the difference in your kitchen.

2. Split Into Sections Within The Kitchen
When combining flat-panel cabinets and shaker cabinets, it’s important to break the kitchen into smaller segments.
What does this mean?
You are going to want to split the styles across the kitchen. This means you can have the top portion of the cabinets made of shaker cabinets while the bottom portion will use the flat-panel style.
This creates a balanced look that is easier on the eyes.
Most people aren’t going to observe the kitchen cabinets in greater detail. They will simply look at how it appears across the board. This includes how it flows.
You won’t have to worry about that when it comes to these two kitchen cabinet styles.
3. Don’t Ignore Durability
It is one thing to start mixing shaker and flat-panel cabinets.
You should always make sure the finished installation is durable. There is nothing worse than seeing the cabinets start breaking down over time.
To avoid a situation such as this, it’s common to look to create a seamless finish. This is why breaking the two kitchen cabinet styles into segments is smart. It will increase the likelihood of a more robust finish.
Keep this in mind when you want to do things safely.

4. Consider Usability
Usability matters.
You have to ensure anyone that is in the kitchen will have no trouble using the different kitchen cabinets.
They should be easy to open and close. This is one of the most important factors because that is what their role is in your kitchen.
If they are out of the way or not working properly then what is their purpose?
Look to install them the right way and then ensure they are fully functional as soon as they are set up.
This will play a big role in how effective the mixing is when you start combining kitchen cabinet styles at home.
Can You Have Two Different Cabinet Styles In A Kitchen?
You can have two different cabinet styles in a kitchen. It’s common to mix and match kitchen cabinet styles while maintaining an overall theme. This can include an all-white kitchen with a combination of shaker and flat-panel cabinets.
Final Thoughts
These are the tips to keep in mind when mixing shaker and flat-panel cabinets.
There’s nothing wrong with mixing shaker and flat-panel cabinets. It’s common to mix and match cabinet styles in the kitchen. To do this the right way, choose an overall theme such as an all-white kitchen to create a seamless layout.
This is how you are going to get the kitchen to look the way you want it to.
Read More On Home Fixtures:
- Will Raised Panel Cabinets Look Good?
- Is Cabinets To Go Or Kitchen Cabinet Kings Better?
- Contrasting IKEA Kitchen Cabinets Against Lowe’s Kitchen Cabinets
- Does Cabinets To Go Offer Better Cabinets Than Home Depot?
- Does Cabinets To Go Or IKEA Cabinets Work For Your Kitchen?
- Will IKEA Kitchen Cabinets Look Good When Installed To The Ceiling?