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The Ultimate Guide to Kitchen Cabinet Styles: Framed vs. Frameless and Everything In Between
- adina hall
- Apr 6
- 5 min read
In a city like Chicago—where food is a love language and kitchens are made for gathering—our boutique interior design firm specializes in creating custom kitchens that aren’t just beautiful, but built for real life. We collaborate with luxury homeowners, busy families, and empty nesters to design spaces that are as functional as they are timeless.
Whether you're hosting holidays, managing weekday chaos, or finally redesigning your kitchen for a quieter chapter, every design detail matters—and that includes your kitchen cabinet construction and style. One of the most important (and often overlooked) decisions? Your kitchen cabinet style. It shapes how you store, clean, cook, and live every day.
Before diving into finishes and hardware, start with the structure: framed vs. frameless cabinets. Because truly beautiful kitchens don’t just look good—they work hard, stay organized, and are built on a smart foundation.
Framed vs. Frameless Cabinets: What's the Difference?
Framed Cabinets
Framed cabinets feature a face frame at the front of the cabinet box, creating a more traditional appearance and added structural strength.
Pros:
Increased stability
Easier to adjust doors and drawers
More flexibility in door overlays (standard, full, or inset)
Cons:
Slightly less interior storage space
Often more traditional in appearance
Frameless Cabinets (European-Style)
Frameless cabinets have no face frame. The doors attach directly to the sides of the cabinet box, resulting in a clean, seamless, modern look.
Pros:
Maximizes usable storage space
Wider drawer and door openings
Sleek, contemporary style
Cons:
Requires precise installation
Slightly less rigid without face frame reinforcement
Cabinet Door Construction: Know the Parts
Understanding the components of a cabinet door helps you make informed style and functionality decisions:
Rails – The horizontal frame pieces
Stiles – The vertical frame pieces
Panels – The center section (can be raised, flat, or glass)
Hardware – Knobs, pulls, or push mechanisms for access
Cabinet Door Configurations: How They Impact Your Design
Full Overlay
Doors and drawers cover the cabinet face frame almost entirely (or the edges, in frameless cabinets), giving a smooth, modern appearance.
Why You’ll Love It:
Clean, streamlined aesthetic
Maximized interior space
Ideal for transitional, modern, and contemporary kitchens
Keep in Mind:
Requires precise installation
Hidden hinges are common
Partial Overlay (Standard Overlay)
Doors cover part of the cabinet face frame, leaving gaps visible between drawers and doors.
Why You’ll Love It:
More budget-friendly
Easier to install and adjust
Works for traditional or farmhouse kitchens
Keep in Mind:
Less polished look
Visible gaps can collect dust
Inset: Precision and Elegance
The crème de la crème of cabinet configurations. Doors and drawers sit inside the cabinet frame for a smooth, flush look.
Why You’ll Love It:
Timeless elegance
Clean, furniture-like appearance
Highlights craftsmanship
Keep in Mind:
Most expensive option
Slightly less storage space
Can shift slightly with seasonal wood movement
✅ Perfect for: Classic, bespoke kitchens with an old-world or heritage vibe.
Popular Cabinet Styles
1. Shaker: The Timeless Classic
Shaker cabinets are beloved for their clean lines and versatility. A framed construction classic.
Five-piece door with flat center panel
Simple and adaptable to almost any style
Easy to clean and finish in any color
design by Adina Hall Design
2. Modern Shaker: Sleek Meets Classic
A contemporary twist on the timeless Shaker, Modern Shaker cabinets feature slimmer stiles and rails for a more refined, streamlined look. Still framed, but with a lighter touch.
Five-piece door with flat, minimalist center panel
Thinner frame profiles for a modern edge
Pairs well with slab drawers or flat hardware
Ideal for transitional or modern homes
2. Slab: Sleek and Modern
Slab cabinets make a statement with their minimalist, flat-front design. Often frameless.
No detail or paneling—just smooth surface
Great for contemporary or mid-century styles
Pairs well with high-gloss or wood veneers
3. Beadboard: Cottage Charm
Brings warmth and character to traditional kitchens.
Vertical grooves on door panels
Farmhouse, coastal, or cottage aesthetics
Typically framed construction
5. Glass-Front: Display with Style
Add visual lightness and display power.
Glass panel inserts in door frames
Can be clear, frosted, or textured
Works with framed and frameless
6. Louvered: Ventilated Elegance
Stylish and functional where airflow is needed.
Horizontal slats allow for ventilation
Often used in laundry or pantry spaces
Framed construction typical
6. Reeded: Texture That Talks Back
Reeded cabinets bring bold texture and visual rhythm to your space. These doors feature vertical fluting—perfect for a punch of personality in an island, bar, or statement wall. Typically used with slab-style or flat-front doors for a modern look.
Slab-style doors with vertical fluted detailing
Adds depth, interest, and movement to flat surfaces
Pairs beautifully with mixed materials (stone, brass, etc.)
Great for modern, art deco, or playful luxury vibes
design by Harvey Jones x Swoon
Cabinet Materials: What to Know
Solid wood: Durable and beautiful, but $$$
MDF: Smooth for painting; cost-effective
Plywood: Stronger than MDF; great for boxes
Thermofoil: Wrapped finish over MDF—easy to clean
Wood veneer: Thin real wood layer over core; offers luxe look
Finish Options
Painted: Great for a smooth, color-rich finish (Shaker loves this)
design by McAlpine Stained: Showcases wood grain—great for rustic or traditional
Matte vs. Gloss: Matte for subtle sophistication, gloss for modern pop
existing glossy white cabinets were paired with a new oak wood island n this kitchen design by DGI Specialty finishes: Think walnut, cerused oak, rift-cut, lacquered, Fenix - an innovative nanotechnology by deWils
kitchen bar area in cerused oak by Eye for Pretty 
walnut and painted cabinets, by Brigette Pearce Design
Hardware Pairings
Shaker: Cup pulls or classic knobs
via Vintage Home 
design by Adina Hall Design Slab: Edge pulls, integrated handles, or push-to-open
via Corner Renovation
Cost Considerations
Framed vs. Frameless: Framed may be slightly more due to materials/labor
Inset: Most expensive due to precision
Slab: Cost-effective, especially in laminate or veneer
Custom vs. Semi-Custom vs. Stock:
Stock: Budget-friendly, limited sizes
Semi-Custom: More flexibility
Custom: Full personalization, $$$
Designer’s Advice
Choose your cabinet construction based on how you live. If you’re hosting big reunions or storing an army of dinnerware, go frameless for the space. If you crave timeless charm and detailed craftsmanship, framed with inset doors is your jam. And whatever you do—always upgrade to soft-close.
Want help making the call? That’s what I’m here for.
Let’s make those cabinet dreams happen—with zero DIY disasters and a whole lotta style.
Contact us to discuss your own dream kitchen today!
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