My cabs are frameless, and there is no dead space between cabinets. I believe the thing that dictates the need for dead space/fillers is any need to allow for door swing, to fully open. I can't picture a need for that with inset. However, are you talking about the face frames for the inset being 2" wide on each cabinet?

Yes, the face frame is 2". Is yours?

Yes, you have it. I am asking if the frame can be 1.5. Thanks for clarifying my terminology. There won't be any filler. Cabinets are totally custom. There could be an upcharge, but I have found little tweaks haven't cost much so far. I just want to know if 1.5 is enough for stability, etc. I may just email my cabinet guy...probably smartest thing to do...

If your budget allows, custom cabinets can help you use every inch.

Here is a pic of an inset kitchen where it looks like the frames are smaller than 2 vertically and 1.5 horizontally. I like the look.

East Coast Traditional · More Info

If your cabinets are full custom, then show this picture to your cabinetmaker and tell him/her what you want. S/he can tell you if s/he can do it.

Yes, ask your cabinet maker, but I surely don't see any reason why not. It may just be that wider is the way he has always done it. If a dresser can be built with a 1" frame (like my 1950's inset drawer dressers-- still solid after 62 years) why not a cabinet?