There are two basic types to consider in your kitchen cabinet plans; FACE FRAME and FRAMELESS. Face frame is by far the most popular in the United States, while frameless (called "Euro-Boxes here) is hot in Europe. Face frames are usually made from hardwood, and frameless mostly have a panel finish on both the sides, and laminated edges. Here, we'll discuss some ideas you can easily do, with either type and with as little expense as possible.As you can see from the image on the left (the front-facing of the box is shown in red), the two are very close to each other. Either could realize your remodeling ideas as only a simple frame separates the two. But, perhaps "simple" isn't the right word. For an in-depth look at Face Frame Joinery, click HERE. (Link opens a new window.) 
Kitchen cabinet plans should really start with some knowledge of the basics. With a change of hardware and new door fronts, you can create a bold new look for your entire kitchen. The three examples on the right are top views of doors and frames and show a Full Inset, 3/8 Inset and an Overlay. Each type of door requires a different type of hinge and latch and are meant to show a different "look and feel" to the finished unit. There are other types, but these are the easiest and most popular.There is a wide variety available to you, and varying types of wood and tones along with a wide range of materials. And you can see and purchase them from home improvement stores, kitchen retailers or get customized units through the services of a professional cabinetmaker. Also, many towns and cities have "outlets" that carry damaged, seconds and over-runs. You can sometimes really score big if you're willing to flex a little in your kitchen cabinet plan. Just Search "cabinet outlet your city" or "used cabinets your city".  Custom Search __________________________________________ If you're changing out only the doors, you still have some research to do. The hinges range from simple to complex, but depending on the type of door you choose, your "type" of hinge will be somewhat chosen for you. A good quality self-closing hinge costs a couple of bucks, but eliminates the need for cabinet latches. There are many types of individual hardware pieces which can be adapted to several types of doors. You'll be amazed at the wide array. Before making that final decision, talk to a salesperson, versed in kitchen cabinet plans and planning, at the retailers. 
If you take the cheap way out (and there's nothing wrong with that) decide—at the beginning of those kitchen cabinet plans—whether you like the style of the doors you have now. Most shells, or "boxes", look pretty much the same. Take the doors off and you really can't tell the difference between an inexpensive box and a more pricey one, if they're real wood and in good condition. Consider this: Paint your frames and boxes white, inside and out, then replace your old doors with white RTF doors. This is a fast and economical way to get a fresh, new looking kitchen. If your old wood doors look okay, just old, maybe you can achieve the same effect by sanding and painting them. You'll be surprised how much of a difference a little paint makes ... especially in the kitchen. RTF doors come in several colors as well as different wood tones. If you'd like to see some really great ideas on cabinet refinishing techniques, click on kitchen cabinet refinishing (a new window will open). 
Or, if your doors are real wood (and not laminate over MDF) but just look worn, stain 'em! You can purchase gel stain or polyurethane stain at the Big Boxes, hardware stores or paint retailers. Make sure the wood doesn't have deep scratches or really bad blemishes, though. Always take the doors off and remove all hardware. And if your doors are dark wood already, you might have a problem. You can stain them darker, but you'll have to test the stain on an inconspicuous area first. For instance, if the wood is dark walnut you might be able to use a darker (say, cherry) stain. If that's okay with you, go for it! Be sure to clean the wood really well, using a strong cleaner and sand smooth. Your kitchen cabinet plans just might become reality sooner than you think!
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