In-Frame Kitchens
In-Frame Kitchens
A UK focused guide to in-frame kitchens. Understand how face frames work, what they change in daily use and how they compare with modern frameless systems.
This page covers classic in-frame construction. Separate pages on this site describe Shaker doors, Shaker handleless layouts and mock in-frame styles.
- Fixed front frame with doors and drawers set inside the opening.
- Furniture led look that suits period homes and statement kitchens.
- Less internal access than frameless cabinets, so layout planning matters.
- Often finished in painted timber with hardware and detail on show.
In-Frame Kitchen Guide
These sections lead you from basic definitions through build quality, styling and realistic budget expectations.
What Is An In-Frame Kitchen
In-frame means every cabinet has a solid front frame. Doors and drawers sit inside that frame with small, even gaps all round. You see a border around each opening, which gives a furniture feel rather than a simple flat run of doors.
Modern German and European systems use frameless cabinets in most cases. Doors hang off cabinet sides and lie over the front edge. In-frame sits closer to traditional furniture making and appears more often in British and Irish workshops or bespoke joinery.
Face frame and reveals
Vertical stiles and horizontal rails form the face frame. Doors and drawers sit inside this frame. Consistent reveals around each front signal good fitting and stable materials.
Inset door movement
Timber doors expand and contract slightly with seasons. Good in-frame systems allow small adjustments so gaps stay even. Hinges need accurate setting and occasional fine tuning.
Internal access
The frame projects into the opening, so clear width and height at the front reduce slightly. This effect shows most on tall larders and wide drawers.
In North America this style often carries the term inset or face frame. In the UK market, in-frame is the standard phrase.
How In-Frame Cabinets Are Built
True in-frame cabinetry relies on a rigid front frame, stable carcasses and quality hardware. The aim is a piece of fitted furniture that feels solid for many years.
Frames and carcasses
- Frames often use hardwood such as ash, oak or tulipwood.
- Carcasses use high density MFC, plywood or veneered board.
- Joints aim for a rigid front that supports hinges and takes daily use.
Hinges and runners
- Inset doors use either traditional surface hinges or concealed inset hinges.
- Soft-close runners on drawers support heavy loads and full extension.
- Look for branded hardware with published test cycles for reassurance.
Painting and finishing
- Many makers spray frames and doors with two-part paints or lacquers.
- Good primers limit micro-cracking where frame joints sit under paint.
- Hand finishing and touch in work complete corners and detailed edges.
Plinths and decorative detail
- Furniture style skirting, framed end panels and cornices reinforce the look.
- These features add character and also introduce extra surfaces for cleaning.
Ask suppliers whether frames sit on full carcases or on ladder bases with separate ends. Full carcases with framed fronts often provide a more robust structure and smoother installation.
Door Styles And Materials For In-Frame Kitchens
In-frame describes the cabinet. Door choice still shapes the style. Many in-frame kitchens use Shaker doors. Others use raised panels or plain slab fronts.
Shaker in-frame doors
Framed Shaker doors sit naturally inside an in-frame cabinet. Square lines, a recessed panel and visible frame edges produce a classic English look. A separate page on this site explores Shaker styling in depth.
Slab and plain fronts
Some makers offer simple slab doors inside a frame. This reduces detailing and suits transitional schemes that sit between traditional and modern.
Real wood or wrapped MDF
In-frame doors often use real wood frames with timber or veneer panels. Wrapped MDF options also appear, especially for budget friendly framed looks. Wrapped doors use a routed MDF core with a vinyl or foil wrap.
- Smooth wraps give a painted effect at a keen price level.
- Wood grain wraps mimic timber texture and suit cottage schemes.
- Smooth versions often sit slightly lower in price than textured options.
Painted and lacquered finishes
Many in-frame ranges use painted timber or lacquered MDF. This route supports colour matching and future refinishing, which protects long term value.
When you review samples, ask which elements use solid timber, which use MDF and whether any wrapped fronts feature in high heat or high moisture zones. That detail influences durability more than the face frame on its own.
Planning Layouts With In-Frame Cabinets
Layout rules stay similar to other fitted kitchens. The frame simply places more emphasis on symmetry and alignment.
Runs and symmetry
Balanced runs help frame lines meet neatly around hobs, sinks and tall units. Uneven unit widths stand out more when frames highlight each opening.
Tall units and larders
Frames on tall housings draw attention to floor and ceiling lines. Good scribing and filler panels at the top and bottom protect the look and keep dust traps under control.
Islands and peninsulas
In-frame islands feel like freestanding furniture pieces. Framed panels on the back and sides, plus furniture skirting, finish the piece from every viewing angle.
Handle layout
Agree handle height and spacing at design stage. Misaligned handles show up quickly when frame lines run all round each door and drawer.
Benefits And Limits Of In-Frame Kitchens
In-frame kitchens prioritise character and craftsmanship. Frameless systems prioritise storage and simplicity. The points below help you place your project on that line.
Key benefits
- Furniture style look that suits period, cottage and village properties.
- Visible craftsmanship through frames, joints and reveals.
- Strong perceived quality, which supports resale appeal.
- Painted and timber fronts allow repair, repainting and refresh work over time.
Points to weigh up
- Higher material and labour cost than many frameless systems.
- Frames reduce clear access at the front of each cabinet.
- More corners and edges for cleaning around frames and mouldings.
- Painted timber near sinks, bins and busy drawers needs occasional touch in work.
In-Frame Vs Frameless And Mock In-Frame Kitchens
The table below compares three broad routes. True in-frame, modern frameless systems and mock in-frame styling. Separate pages explain Shaker doors and mock in-frame in more detail.
| Aspect | True in-frame cabinets | Frameless system cabinets | Mock in-frame styling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabinet structure | Face frame with inset doors and drawers. | No front frame. Doors overlay the cabinet sides. | Frameless boxes with applied beading or planted frames. |
| Storage access | Frame reduces clear opening slightly. | Maximum opening width and depth for each unit. | Similar access to frameless, with a framed look on the front. |
| Visual effect | Strong furniture feel and deep shadow lines. | Clean, contemporary lines and fewer breaks. | Framed appearance without full face frame complexity. |
| Price band | Mid to premium, depending on materials and detail. | Wide spread from entry level to premium German systems. | Often sits between frameless and full in-frame. |
| Best fit projects | Character homes and statement kitchens where joinery leads. | Projects that focus on storage, ergonomics and handleless styling. | Homes that want a framed look with more storage and a tighter budget. |
When you collect quotes, ask each designer to label their offer clearly as true in-frame, mock in-frame or frameless. The term framed sometimes appears in marketing for all three, which confuses comparisons.
Typical UK Cost Bands For In-Frame Kitchens
Every project differs. Room size, region, worktop choice and building work all influence totals. These bands highlight where in-frame cabinetry usually sits relative to standard system kitchens.
Entry framed ranges
Some suppliers offer framed looks at lower price levels by using simpler door detailing, wrapped MDF fronts and limited colour palettes. These options suit smaller kitchens or projects where the look matters more than deep customisation.
Mid market in-frame projects
Many UK family kitchens with painted frames, a mix of drawers and larders and branded hardware sit in the mid market band. Cabinetry and fitting often take a larger share of the budget than in similar frameless designs.
Premium and bespoke in-frame
Large kitchens with full height pantries, dresser features, multiple islands and extensive timber work sit at the top end. These projects often involve colour matched paint, detailed internals and site finishing from joiners.
Ask each supplier to split costs into cabinets, worktops, appliances, fitting and building work. That split helps you see whether the uplift comes from in-frame joinery or from other specification choices.
Care And Maintenance For In-Frame Kitchens
In-frame kitchens aim for long service life. Simple habits keep paint, hinges and frames in the best condition.
Daily cleaning
Use a soft cloth with mild soapy water. Wipe frame edges, corners and handle zones regularly. Avoid harsh chemicals and abrasive pads on painted or stained timber.
Looking after frames
Frames sit closer to spills and knocks than slab doors. Treat impacts quickly, especially on bin doors and pans drawers. A small pot of colour matched paint deals with chips before moisture reaches timber.
Hinge and runner checks
Inset hinges offer three way adjustment. A few small turns keep reveals even if doors settle. Drawer runners also benefit from an occasional check to maintain smooth motion.
Refinishing over time
Many painted in-frame kitchens receive a professional respray or hand repaint after heavy use. This refresh retains the joinery investment and updates colour without new cabinets.
Is An In-Frame Kitchen Right For You
In-frame kitchens suit owners who view the kitchen as a piece of fitted furniture and value character highly. Frameless systems suit owners who place storage, simplicity and handleless styling at the top of the brief.
In-frame suits you when
- You live in a period or character property and want the joinery to reflect that.
- You enjoy visible craftsmanship and deep frame shadows around each front.
- You plan to stay in the property for many years and like the idea of refinishing rather than replacing.
Frameless or mock in-frame might suit better when
- You work with a compact footprint and need every centimetre of internal width.
- You prefer a very clean, modern or handleless look with fewer details to dust.
- You focus on value and want more storage and hardware per pound spent.
Next step. Visit at least one showroom with true in-frame displays and one with high quality frameless systems. Open tall larders, test drawers and look closely at reveals. That comparison often settles the choice far more quickly than catalogues alone.