Material

• The first decision you need to make is the material you will use for the doors. Solid wood doors comprise the majority of the offerings from manufacturers. There are also MDF, or veneer, doors, as well as metal doors. With the standard wood doors, you have many types of wood to choose from. There is oak, a hardwood that has an open grain pattern with a great variety of color options when it comes to staining. Maple is a great choice for a light hardwood with less grain. You also have cherry, hickory, alder and many other exotic woods that cabinet companies or custom cabinet shops can work with.
  
  

Style Guide

• Styles are the next design feature to choose. You have options such as contemporary designs that feature sleek and flat doors with a plain no-frills design. Some products that are used for contemporary or modern design are Thermafoil or laminated glossy flat panel doors giving them a very European look. Country style doors are mostly light in color and many choose to use a distressed or chalked edging, giving it an older, rustic look.
  
  

Options

• Woods such as hickory or alder are popular because they add noticeable grain and knot patterns that give a country feel. Traditional doors have a more fancy and formal look to them and have many variations. Cabinet manufacturers have many color options, from a beautiful rich stain to a very elegant look with a glazed finish with other highlight options. Cabinet door options include arched centers, beaded panels, raised panels, recessed panels and appliques.
  
  

Glass

• Glass inserts can add pop to your cabinets. Cabinet doors can be ordered to accommodate glass panels that are made by the manufacturer or you can have the glass inserts custom made at a glass shop to really give your cabinets an original look. Colored, frosted, patterned or even stained glass are among your options. You can even put metal inserts in them for a very modern look.
  
  

Bling

• Just like jewelry is used to make people stand out, so does the hardware you choose for your cabinets. Make sure the handles and hinges go well with the style of your cabinets.