Shaker vs. Flat-Front Cabinets: Pros and Cons for Myrtle Beach Kitchens

Remodeling a kitchen in Myrtle Beach often begins with the most visually dominant feature of the room—your cabinets. At The Cabinet Market, homeowners frequently ask whether Shaker or flat-front cabinets are the better choice for coastal homes. Both options remain among the top cabinet styles in the United States, and each offers unique advantages in terms of aesthetics, maintenance, cost, and compatibility with modern kitchen design trends. This guide breaks down the strengths and trade-offs of each style, helping Myrtle Beach homeowners make an informed decision grounded in functionality, appearance, and long-term value.

Shaker Cabinets: Timeless Craftsmanship with Versatile Style

Shaker cabinets are recognizable for their five-piece door construction consisting of a recessed center panel surrounded by a clean, square frame. According to the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association, Shaker-style cabinets continue to be the “most requested door style for U.S. kitchen remodels,” a trend attributed to their adaptability across traditional, transitional, and modern homes.

What Makes Shaker Cabinets Appealing?

Shaker designs offer a blend of simplicity and structure, giving homeowners visual depth without overwhelming the kitchen layout. For Myrtle Beach homes, where coastal-inspired interiors favor calming palettes, Shaker cabinets complement everything from classic whites and warm grays to sandy neutrals and subtle blues. Their framed appearance adds a touch of craftsmanship that resonates with homeowners seeking a mix of modern and timeless appeal.

Pros of Shaker Cabinets

Design Flexibility: Works well in both contemporary and traditional kitchens, making it a reliable choice if you anticipate future updates to décor or hardware. Here, linking to door types is relevant: choosing a cabinet door type

Cleans Easily on Most Finishes: Painted and stained finishes typically wipe clean easily, and the style hides fingerprints better than high-gloss surfaces.

Broad Market Appeal: Because Shaker cabinets consistently rank among the top-selling styles nationally, installing them may benefit resale value.

Durability: The sturdy frame construction creates long-lasting door stability, which is especially beneficial in coastal environments with humidity fluctuations.

Cons of Shaker Cabinets

Grooves May Collect Dust: The recessed center panel can gather dust or kitchen residue, requiring periodic detailed cleaning.

Cost Variability: Shaker cabinets can be more expensive depending on the material and craftsmanship, especially for premium hardwood options.

Traditional Lean: While versatile, the Shaker style may appear slightly more traditional than flat-front designs, particularly in highly modern kitchens.

Flat-Front Cabinets: Sleek, Contemporary, and Perfect for Modern Spaces

Flat-front, or slab cabinets, feature smooth, unembellished surfaces with no frames or panels. This minimalist design aligns with current modern and European-inspired kitchen trends. Research from the National Kitchen & Bath Association notes a “steady rise in demand for slab-style cabinet doors in contemporary remodels,” largely due to the increasing popularity of streamlined interiors.

What Makes Flat-Front Cabinets Appealing?

Their minimalist design creates a clean visual flow ideal for smaller kitchens or open-concept layouts, both common features in Myrtle Beach’s newer residential developments. Homeowners often choose flat-front cabinets to achieve a modern coastal look, especially when paired with natural wood tones or matte finishes that echo the surrounding sand and shoreline. Linked once where relevant: gloss cabinet finishes

Pros of Flat-Front Cabinets

Low-Maintenance Surface: The absence of grooves or frames makes cleaning quick and simple, especially for busy households.

Sleek, Modern Aesthetic: Their crisp profile works beautifully with modern appliances, integrated lighting, and contemporary hardware.

Cost-Effective Options: Flat-front doors are often available in budget-friendly materials like laminate or thermofoil while still providing a premium appearance.

Ideal for Color and Texture Experimentation: Smooth doors allow paint colors, wood grains, or matte finishes to take center stage.

Cons of Flat-Front Cabinets

Visible Fingerprints: High-gloss or darker flat-front surfaces may show smudges or oil marks more easily.

Less Ornamental Depth: Homeowners who prefer detailed craftsmanship may find the minimalist design too simple.

Potential Warping in Low-Quality Materials: If not constructed from high-quality plywood or engineered wood, slab doors may warp over time in humid climates.

Myrtle Beach Considerations: Climate, Lifestyle, and Coastal Design Trends

Homeowners in the Myrtle Beach area benefit from thinking about how humidity, sand, moisture, and coastal design preferences influence the long-term performance of cabinetry. According to NOAA, coastal regions like Myrtle Beach experience elevated humidity levels most of the year, which can impact cabinet materials if not selected carefully.

Climate Insights for Cabinet Selection

Humidity-resistant materials, such as high-grade plywood, MDF with durable finishes, or marine-quality coatings, perform better in coastal kitchens.

Hardware durability matters more here than in many inland regions. Stainless steel, brass, and powder-coated hardware resist corrosion effectively.

Finish type significantly affects longevity. Matte surfaces tend to hide moisture marks better, while high-gloss doors may show streaking in humid conditions.

Lifestyle Considerations

Many Myrtle Beach homes host frequent guests, short-term renters, or busy families. This makes cleanability and durability essential. Flat-front cabinets excel in ease of cleaning, while Shaker cabinets offer stronger structural resilience.

Coastal Style Trends

Current Myrtle Beach kitchen remodels often incorporate:

Soft neutral tones inspired by sand and driftwood
Cool coastal blues and seafoam greens
Natural textures like rattan, light woods, and matte surfaces
Open shelving blended with full-height cabinetry

Here, it is contextually appropriate to link to your color trends page: 2025 kitchen cabinet color trends

Both Shaker and flat-front styles integrate seamlessly into these trends, but your preference for simplicity or structure may guide your final decision.

Which Style Is Right for Your Myrtle Beach Kitchen?

Choosing between Shaker and flat-front cabinets ultimately comes down to the style you want to achieve, how you use your kitchen, and the maintenance level you’re comfortable with. Shaker cabinets offer timeless appeal with a touch of detail, making them a great fit for coastal-transitional homes. Flat-front cabinets deliver clean, modern lines that complement sleek countertops, bold hardware, and open layouts.

Choose Shaker Cabinets If:

You want a classic look with long-lasting appeal.
You prefer subtle ornamentation over plain surfaces.
You value structural durability and a slightly more traditional style.

Choose Flat-Front Cabinets If:

You want a minimalist, modern, or Scandinavian-inspired design.
You prefer quick, easy cleaning with fewer crevices.
You want cost-effective material options that still look high-end.

A relevant internal reference here: kitchen cabinets

Regardless of the style you choose, Myrtle Beach homeowners benefit from working with a local cabinet specialist familiar with coastal construction demands. This ensures proper installation, material selection, and long-term performance in the region’s humid climate.

If you’re ready to refresh your Myrtle Beach kitchen, The Cabinet Market can help you compare door samples, explore finish options, and design a space that fits your lifestyle and aesthetic preferences. Craft a kitchen that works beautifully for you—let our team guide you to the right cabinet style and transform your home with confidence. You can also contact our team to get started.

Shaker vs. Flat-Front Cabinets: Homeowner FAQs

1. Are Shaker cabinets better for coastal homes than flat-front cabinets?
   Both Shaker and flat-front cabinets work well in Myrtle Beach homes, but the choice depends on your preferred style and maintenance needs. Shaker cabinets offer a classic coastal look with added dimension, while flat-front cabinets provide a clean, modern aesthetic. Because of the region’s humidity, selecting high-quality materials and moisture-resistant finishes is more important than the style itself.
2. Which cabinet style is easier to clean in high-humidity environments?
   Flat-front cabinets are generally easier to clean because they have no creases, frames, or recessed panels that can trap moisture, dust, or sand—common concerns near the beach. Shaker cabinets can be kept clean as well, but require more detailed wiping around the frame.
3. Do Shaker cabinets cost more than flat-front cabinets?
   Shaker cabinets can be slightly more expensive depending on the material and craftsmanship, especially if made from solid hardwood. Flat-front cabinets tend to offer more budget-friendly options, such as laminate or thermofoil, but high-end slab doors made from premium wood or veneer can also be comparable in price.
4. What cabinet materials perform best in Myrtle Beach’s humid climate?
   Plywood construction, MDF with durable paint, and moisture-resistant finishes are ideal for coastal kitchens. Thermofoil and laminate slab fronts can also perform well if properly sealed. Solid wood doors are beautiful but may expand or contract unless sealed correctly—something a local specialist like The Cabinet Market can help assess.
5. Will Shaker or flat-front cabinets improve resale value more?
   Both styles can positively impact resale value, but Shaker cabinets have broader national appeal and are often considered a safe, timeless choice. Flat-front cabinets attract buyers looking for a modern or contemporary home, especially in newer Myrtle Beach communities. The best option depends on your home’s architectural style and target market.