In-frame kitchens are growing in popularity, and you only have to see one to know why. They look classy, elegant and beautiful, and they carry a lot of character. An in-frame kitchen delivers a distinctive look, where cabinet doors fit inside a custom-built frame attached to the front edges of the kitchen unit. Doors and drawers are fitted inside the frame so that they open within it, which gives your kitchen a clean, traditional and organised appearance.
The In-Frame Kitchen at a Glance
An in-frame kitchen has a solid timber frame fixed to the front of each cabinet, with the doors and drawers sitting inside that frame rather than on top of it. The result is a crisp shadow line around every door and a very precise, joinery-led look. Because the frame carries the weight, the doors are better supported than lay-on alternatives, so hinges are under less strain and alignment holds over time. It is more work to build and demands tighter tolerances, which is why it is associated with higher-end cabinetry. At Handmade Kitchen Company we hand-build in-frame kitchens to order.
Why in-frame cabinetry is more durable
Because the doors and drawers sit inside a frame, they are better supported and more stable, as the frame carries the load rather than the door hanging entirely on its own hinges. This is a practical advantage as well as an aesthetic one: lay-on doors and cabinets can gradually misalign over time as the weight pulls on the hinges. Building a frame around the cabinets gives them extra strength and helps the cabinetry hold its shape for many years, so your kitchen lasts longer with very little maintenance.
Here at Handmade Kitchen Company, we are proud of our ability to craft and build high quality in-frame kitchens. Our many years of skill and experience have enabled us to produce many beautiful in-frame kitchens with precision, quality and specifications tailored to your needs.
Why choose an in-frame kitchen?
One of the main reasons people opt for an in-frame kitchen is the sheer beauty and durability of it. The in-frame design looks classy and sophisticated, and it also has the ability to make a kitchen look tidy and organised. In-frame kitchens are a natural fit for anyone who wants a classic or traditional style, but they are increasingly being adapted for more modern kitchens too. With an extensive range of colours for painted doors, frames and cabinets, an in-frame kitchen can be dressed up or toned down to look either contemporary or period, and personalised to suit your taste. In-frame kitchens are generally custom made, so you can really appreciate the craftsmanship that has gone into them.
In-frame kitchens are:
- Stylish
- Elegant
- Durable
- Low maintenance
- Available in a wide range of colours
- Organised in appearance
- Custom made
In-Frame Kitchen FAQs
What does in-frame mean on a kitchen?
It means each cabinet has a solid timber frame fixed to its front edges, and the door or drawer front sits inside that frame rather than overlaying it. You see a slim reveal of frame around every door, which is what gives in-frame cabinetry its distinctive, joinery-made look.
What is the difference between in-frame and lay-on doors?
On a lay-on kitchen the door sits on the front of the carcass and covers it, so the doors sit flush alongside each other. On an in-frame kitchen the door sits within a frame, so the frame is visible around it. In-frame takes more material and far more precision to build, and it supports the door better over time.
Are in-frame kitchens more expensive?
Generally yes. There is more timber involved, and the tolerances are much tighter, because any inconsistency in the gap between door and frame is immediately visible. That extra material and workmanship is reflected in the price, and in the longevity of the finished kitchen.
Do in-frame kitchens have to look traditional?
No. The frame detail is often associated with classic and period kitchens, but paint colour, hardware and worktops do most of the work in setting the tone. A dark, bold colour with contemporary handles gives an in-frame kitchen a distinctly modern feel.
Where does Handmade Kitchen Company build in-frame kitchens?
We design, hand-build and hand-paint bespoke in-frame kitchens from our workshop in Hertfordshire, for clients across Essex, Hertfordshire and North London.
Our Classic Shaker is built as an in-frame design, and you can read more about the timbers we use in our guide to solid wood kitchens.
At Handmade Kitchen Company, we have a wide selection of in-frame kitchens for you to choose from, each unique to the individual order and available in an extensive range of carcass, cabinet and drawer colours. If you would like any more information, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We also have a fully functioning showroom where you can see examples of our in-frame kitchens and fully appreciate the style.
