Mock In-Frame door style
Mock In-Frame Kitchens
A UK focused guide to mock in-frame doors. Learn how the in-frame effect works on frameless cabinets and where this route sits between true in-frame and standard Shaker.
This page focuses on mock in-frame styling. Separate pages on this site cover full in-frame construction and Shaker door style in more depth.
- Framed look created on the door and panel set, not by a face frame on each cabinet.
- Frameless boxes still deliver strong storage, wide drawers and modern internals.
- Installation steps sit close to a standard lay on Shaker or slab project.
- Ideal for buyers who like an in-frame feel yet prefer a friendlier budget and easier cleaning.
Mock In-Frame Kitchen Guide
Follow these sections for a clear view of definitions, construction, design choices and cost levels in the UK.
What Is A Mock In-Frame Kitchen
Mock in-frame describes a door and panel set that delivers a framed look on a standard frameless cabinet. Doors still overlay the front of the unit. Beads, router lines and panel detail create the sense of a frame around each opening.
A true in-frame kitchen uses a fixed wooden frame on the front of each cabinet. Doors and drawers sit inside that frame. With mock in-frame the cabinet stays frameless. The framed effect sits on the door and across the run instead.
Lay on fronts, framed appearance
Doors sit over the cabinet front and line up side by side. Fine beading or routed detail around the edges gives the impression of a frame when you stand back and view the whole elevation.
Frameless storage, classic feel
Behind the front row of doors the kitchen still uses a frameless box. Drawers and pull outs run the full width of the cabinet. You gain a classic framed look while internal storage stays close to modern systems.
Balanced, mid market option
Mock in-frame often sits between simple Shaker and full in-frame on price and build complexity. The approach suits buyers who like detail and character yet still expect straightforward fitting and service.
How The Mock In-Frame Effect Is Created
Each manufacturer uses its own profiles and proportions, although the principle stays similar. Door and panel detailing creates an in-frame look while the cabinet behind remains a straightforward box.
Routered outer frame
- Door designs often include a visible outer frame milled into the front.
- A fine router line sits part way in from the edge and creates a crisp shadow.
- When doors sit side by side those lines read as stiles and rails around each opening.
Applied beading and feature panels
- Thin beads on doors, end panels and pilasters build up a framed grid.
- Decorative panels on the back of islands and peninsulas continue the theme.
- These elements help the whole run feel like one framed piece of furniture.
Framed effect on standard carcasses
- Cabinets remain 16 to 19 mm frameless units with familiar drilling patterns.
- Soft close hinges, drawers and internal storage follow the same approach as other German style kitchens.
- Fitters use standard lay on fitting methods with extra care on gaps and alignment.
Ask which parts of the door and frame use solid timber, which use MDF and whether any wrapped elements sit close to ovens, dishwashers or boiling water taps. That detail influences long term stability.
Doors And Materials In Mock In-Frame Ranges
Mock in-frame doors often share construction methods with Shaker and framed styles. The framed detail sits on the front. The mock in-frame effect arises from the way profiles line up on the run.
Real wood frames
Many mock in-frame doors use a solid timber frame with a centre panel in timber or veneer. This route suits painted and stained finishes and supports refinishing in future.
Wrapped MDF options
Wrapped MDF doors also appear in framed effect ranges. These use a routed MDF core with a vinyl or foil wrap over the surface and around the edges.
- Smooth wraps sit close to a painted look and often hold a sharper price.
- Wood grain wraps introduce texture and suit cottage or farmhouse schemes.
- Edge detail near heat and steam needs sensible protection through design.
Painted and lacquered surfaces
Spray painted or lacquered MDF and timber fronts remain popular. Colours range from off white and warm grey through to deep blue and green. A separate Shaker page on this site explores colour trends in more detail.
Profiles and rail sizes
Frame widths often sit between 25 and 70 mm depending on door size and style. Narrower frames suit wall units. Broader frames suit tall housings and feature larders.
Mock In-Frame On German Style Cabinets
German and wider European brands focus on frameless cabinet engineering. Mock in-frame styling fits neatly on top of that structure. You gain a softer look without losing the system benefits of European style units.
Storage and ergonomics
Frameless cabinets support wide internal drawers, tall pull outs and integrated bins. A mock in-frame door does not reduce the opening in the same way as a full face frame, so access stays strong for everyday use.
Integration with appliances
Integrated appliances sit level with surrounding doors. Framed detailing sits on the outside. Appliance clearances, hinges and ventilation follow the same rules as other modern layouts.
Consistent sizing
System widths such as 300, 400, 500 and 600 mm keep planning straightforward. Mock in-frame fronts drop into this grid so tall runs and islands stay easy to design and fit.
When you review a design, ask the designer to label each elevation as frameless, mock in-frame or full in-frame. That one line on a plan avoids misunderstandings later in the process.
Design Tips For A Convincing Mock In-Frame Look
Small proportion choices and hardware decisions decide whether a mock in-frame kitchen feels authentic or slightly forced. The points below keep the look confident and calm.
Frame and gap proportions
- Use consistent gaps between doors and drawers across the whole run.
- Keep frame widths balanced between wall units, base units and tall housings.
- Avoid random narrow fillers that break the framed rhythm on long walls.
Colour, sheen and texture
- Matt or eggshell finishes suit framed detail and hide minor movement at joints.
- Off whites, warm greys and soft greens work well in most UK homes.
- Wood grain on islands or larders gives extra depth without heavy mouldings.
Handle choices
- Knobs and cup pulls reinforce a classic in-frame feel.
- Slender bar handles shift the room towards a more modern, transitional look.
- Pick one handle family across the space so the framed pattern stays clear.
Feature elements
- Glazed dresser units, plate racks and larder features reinforce the furniture story.
- Framed panels on island backs tie island seating areas to wall runs.
- Open oak boxes or shelves break up long runs of framed doors in open plan rooms.
Benefits And Limits Of Mock In-Frame Kitchens
Mock in-frame kitchens sit between true in-frame and standard frameless projects. The balance suits many UK homes. The strengths and trade offs below help you place your own project.
Key benefits
- Strong framed look without a full face frame on every cabinet.
- Frameless boxes retain generous internal widths and deep drawers.
- Fitting steps stay close to standard German style kitchens.
- Designs work well in both period homes and newer properties.
Points to weigh up
- Enthusiasts spot that doors overlay the frame effect at close range.
- Extra beads and rebates introduce more edges to dust and wipe.
- Mock in-frame sits above simple Shaker on price in many ranges.
Mock In-Frame Vs True In-Frame And Frameless Kitchens
All three routes use similar appliances and worktop choices. The difference sits in cabinet structure, storage access and visual detail.
| Aspect | Mock in-frame | True in-frame | Frameless system |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabinet structure | Frameless boxes with framed effect doors and panels. | Face frame fixed to each cabinet. Doors and drawers sit inside the frame. | Frameless boxes with lay on doors and no frame detail. |
| Storage access | Near full opening width and depth for drawers and pull outs. | Opening trimmed by frame thickness at each side and top. | Maximum opening for each nominal cabinet size. |
| Visual feel | Framed look with slightly crisper, system lines. | Furniture style with deeper shadow lines around each front. | Clean, modern look with minimal detailing. |
| Installation | Similar to Shaker or slab on frameless units. | More skilled fitting to keep even reveals inside frames. | Fastest fitting route for many layouts. |
| Typical position | Mid to upper mid in many ranges. | Premium, especially with hand painting and bespoke work. | Wide spread from entry to premium depending on finishes. |
| Best fit projects | Buyers who want an in-frame look with strong storage and a clear budget line. | Buyers who place joinery character above storage volume. | Buyers who lead with storage, ergonomics and very modern styling. |
Ask your designer to price the same layout three ways. One mock in-frame, one true in-frame and one simple Shaker on frameless units. That comparison on one plan gives a fair view of cost and storage shifts.
Typical UK Cost Bands For Mock In-Frame Kitchens
Prices depend on room size, region and specification. Mock in-frame often sits in the middle of a range between simple framed doors on frameless boxes and full in-frame from a specialist.
Standard framed lay on doors
Simple framed or Shaker doors on frameless cabinets sit in entry and mid market bands. Many large retailers and trade ranges offer this route with wrapped MDF or lacquered MDF fronts.
Mock in-frame painted ranges
Mock in-frame doors with painted timber or lacquered MDF fronts occupy mid to upper mid positions. Extra beading, decorative panels and feature units lift labour and door cost compared with a plain framed door.
True in-frame from specialists
Full in-frame projects with face frames, inset doors and hand finished joinery sit at the higher end of the market. Cabinet and fitting costs reflect extra timber, build time and on site adjustment.
Request itemised quotes. Ask suppliers to separate cabinet costs, mock in-frame door upgrades, decorative panels, worktops, appliances and fitting. That breakdown highlights the uplift for framed styling against the rest of the project.
Is A Mock In-Frame Kitchen Right For You
A mock in-frame kitchen suits many households in the UK. The list below helps you decide whether this route fits your priorities or whether full in-frame or a simpler Shaker layout suits better.
Mock in-frame works well when
- You want a framed, classic look on a German style cabinet grid.
- You value strong storage and wide drawers as much as visual detail.
- You aim for a mid to upper mid budget rather than a full bespoke figure.
- You prefer straightforward fitting, with easy access for future adjustments.
Other routes suit better when
- You want a pure furniture look with visible frames and inset fronts, so true in-frame fits the brief.
- You focus on a very clean, modern or handleless scheme with minimal detail, so a frameless layout fits better.
- You aim for the sharpest storage per pound and lowest maintenance, so simple framed or slab doors serve the project well.
Next step. Visit one showroom with a mock in-frame display and another with full in-frame and modern Shaker on frameless units. Open tall larders, test internal drawers and study gaps around doors. That hands on comparison gives a clear steer before you place an order.