what cabinet maker? Has pricing info been provided to you?

Both systems work fine. Inset is a lot harder to get right in terms of even spacing on all sides of the door, and will probably cost correspondingly more. The looks are quite different, so that just comes down to what you like, which none of us can probably help with.

FWIW, the Shakers almost always (I've visited most of the communities and don't remember ever seeing one that wasn't) inset their doors, part of the reason most "Shaker style" cabinets sold don't look anything like actual Shaker style.

IMO inset is atradional look always and full overlay is a simpler more modern look I also like full overlay for actual cleaning .I like europen hinges and the look of full overlay and IMO you gain a bit of storage too.

You can (and should, I think) easily compensate for the storage difference by making the inset cabinet deeper by the depth of the door-- you end up with the same projection from the wall.

Sorry, but I don't think the difference in storage is large enough to make a difference. There are other factors that are more important.

I am looking at Tedd Wood and like the Pamona door. Our house is architecturally Victorian but my style is more Serena Lily/ PB. I love the inset doors but wonder if change in seasons will cause gaps in inset that will drive me crazy...

How do you know the OP hasn't made a plan?

I have a master plan with both options. 7% price difference.

why haven't they discussed inset uppers......and frameless full overlay base cabinets [drawers]. You get that ease and no worry for the base cabs/ and some visual distinction at the eye level....many times w glass doors. Of your two stated options/without knowing more I'd pick frameless full overlay and look for a side area/offset/ and insert your more decorative section of wall cabs if thats what is pulling at you.

Herbflavor probably because they didn't want to add a third option for the most indecisive human on the planet. I love this idea. I will look for examples and discuss with them.

Jill, I did what herb just mentioned. Inset uppers (white) and full overlay lowers in a dark color. The white really shows the inset door style, but it would get more hidden in the dark color.

Jill...I have Tedd Wood cabinets, now 5+ years. Though they’re one of the better American made semi-custom lines, I never see them mentioned here. So, welcome!

Mine are a medium stained birch, full overlay. They’ve held up very well in our hard working kitchen.

And, btw, the company is great to work with. We had a few issues...minor, that were corrected quickly, without resistrance.

"Sorry, but I don't think the difference in storage is large enough to make a difference. There are other factors that are more important."

True, but then there's no reason not to make the cabinets a little deeper, either. The concern was raised and there is a trivial solution, at least with custom cabinets.

Lucky998877 is that your kitchen? If so could I see a couple more pictures? I think I may go this route 😊

Yes, it's mine :) We used a custom cabinet maker and he created everything exactly as I had drawn.

We are doing exactly that with inset uppers and frameless bottoms. Custom cabinet maker. Ready to build soon!

Lucky998877- would you please post more photos showing inset uppers and full overlay lowers in your beautiful kitchen? Thinking that is really a great solution, especially for the drawers.

"Sorry, but I don't think the difference in storage is large enough to make a difference. There are other factors that are more important."

I missed this thread when it was originally posted a few months ago. But I wanted to comment for anyone looking at it now because I couldn't disagree more with @Diana Bier Interiors, LLC's statement. In particular, unless you opt for inset uppers that are deeper than the standard 12" depth, you will have trouble fitting many dinner plates. Standard-depth Inset upper cabinets have an interior depth of 10-1/2", which is limiting. Inset drawers also have smaller interiors by an inch or more. It doesn't seem like a lot, but multiply it by all the drawers in a kitchen, and if the kitchen is a smaller one, this difference in storage space will indeed be "large enough to make a difference".

I understand your point @Shannon_WI, but I have inset cabinets in my kitchen, and all of my dishes, pots, trays, etc. fit in them just fine. Maybe they are deeper than the standard--they are Tedd Wood custom. Perhaps I'm not aware of the limitations on the RTA or lower-price point cabinets. Just to let you know, I'm posting this comment as a homeowner and not a pro, as I am not a kitchen designer.

I plan on doing inset cabinets in my smallish kitchen. Inset is the look I have always wanted from the time I learned what they were and why they appeal to me. We are doing custom cabinets so I plan on requesting 13” deep uppers.

Great choice, Jill!

I've yet to see a cabinet manufacturer not make INSET upper cabinets deeper than 12". Most make them about 13" deep. Showplace Cabinetry offers either 13" or 14" at no extra charge. The ONLY time I've seen inset uppers at 12" deep was when a homeowner hired a cabinetmaker that didn't know better.

I also agree with Diana on the storage. It really depends on the shape of the kitchen. A galley is different than a U-shaped kitchen. Ushaped will have more corners and clearance issues with frameless and the use of fillers. BTW, Full overlay framed and Inset have the same sized drawers. If your kitchen has more corners...you'll get bigger cabinets with inset. The frame "acts as a filler".

Frameless drawers ARE bigger. I love the mix of both inset and frameless...I've been a huge fan of it here on Gardenweb/Houzz for years.

In my previous house i wanted inset and a solid wood centerr. At first was told no so i said do build raised panel doors? They did so i suggested turn it around.

eandhl, what you are describing is called "Reversed Raised Panel" in the industry.

I went with inset and absolutely love them! Just make sure you get a contractor who knows who has experience with inset cabinetry. We had to change contractors mid project.

I know this thread is older. I was having to make the same deision recently. Inset cabinets bug me. I an a perfectionist and the small 1/8 inch gap bothers me. I prefer Shaker frameless cabinets. I would not be happy if the small gab between the drawers was not perfet. I also do not like the expanding and contating due to the weather. I may put insets in the bathroom but not in my Kitchen. Im excited to see how my new cabinets come out!

Luckily we still have a choice in this matter--you've made your choice. Good luck with your kitchen!

Cabinets to go and Ikea make perfectly assembled inset cabinets.

Not pre-assembled, not inset.

Didn't realize Cabinets to Go did inset. Looked at their site. Looks like their gracious home series is a private label for them. They are Medallion Platinum series. Find a Medallion dealer....work with someone local. Keep your tax dollars in state.

I don't believe IKEA has ever made "inset" cabinets. Mia, you are probably thinking of shaker style, recessed panel. Inset means the cabinets are Flush Inset into the frames.

I guess they have a new line of insets.

I’m sure the ready made inset cabinets are not as good. Although a local cabinet dealer in our area buys inset fronts already made. They are truly beautiful . I know what inset cabinets are and due to my smaller kitchen lI have decided to go with frameless Shaker style.

If you visit Ikea's website, you'll see that the Axstad line is not inset. They are referring to the door, which has a recessed or inset panel, usually referred to as a Shaker door. They look to be full overlay frameless cabinets.

Nope, that is an inset door, not an inset cabinet. Big difference.

You need to school yourself on the difference. It's night and day.

All of these cabinets are framed construction with different Shaker Style doors and drawers. Some various degrees of overlay and some inset.

IKEA ONLY MAKES FRAMELESS CABINETS!!!!! The Shaker doors are FULL OVERLAY! They might be a Shaker style that has an inset panel, but an inset panel does NOT mean INSET CABINETS!! Can you see the difference in what I posted above and below? They are very different both in construction, function, and pricing.

Bev's photos perfectly illustrate the difference between inset cabinets and an inset door.

Ikea's terminology is confusing, and I'm wondering if it's an error or they've done it purposefully to confuse the consumer. Most cabinet companies will refer to that door as a recessed panel door, not an inset door.

If IKEA only makes frameless I’m wondering why I am paying more for frameless custom cabinets.

The price of your cabinets is determined by many factors, not just whether they are frameless or not. The materials, workmanship, finishing, etc. all have an effect on the price. Then you have whether you are purchasing through your contractor or direct from the manufacturer, and what mark-up the supplier charges.

Everything else being equal, inset cabinets are going to cost more than overlay. But rarely is everything else equal.

This was my inspiration for frameless. Thanks for the info!

Hard to tell exactly from your photo. Maybe you would like to the source of the photos, but if I had to bet money on the outcome, I would say those cabinets in the photo are NOT frameless.

Here is a better pic. I asked my cabinet maker to copy this and he said they were frameless.

Those look to be frameless with loose end panels attached to make it LOOK like it's INSET.

Thanks

You can state that the cabinets have full overlay doors. They have some distinctive details that make them look custom.

If IKEA only makes frameless I’m wondering why I am paying more for frameless custom cabinets.

I don't know what that means.

There are scores of cabinet makers that can fabricate frameless cabinets. A price difference can be due

• to what the boxes are made from, melamine over MDF or veneered plywood, etc.
• if the boxes come preassembled or you have to assemble them like IKEA
• if you're buying IKEA which makes millions of boxes per year & saves $$ on volume
• or a local shop that makes hundreds of boxes per year & has to pay union wages etc.

“This was my inspiration for frameless. Thanks for the info!”

There are many names for, and ways to accomplish, that look. I typically refer to them as hybrid, but have heard them called picture framed European, inset frameless, modern inset, and probably half a dozen other things.

It is like putting a picture frame on a cabinet box. There are no stiles between doors on the same cabinet or rails between drawers, but the cabinet sides, top, and sometimes bottom is framed.

This is often used to increase usefulness of cabinets with drawers or more narrow doors. I will note, those are some sizable stiles in that pic and I wouldn’t love that type of wasted interior space.

I have a very small kitchen. I had my cabinets made by a cabinet maker (WHITE OAK). I love the look in a small kitchen with 8' ceilings. The frameless cabinets made my small kitchen appear larger and more distinguished looking! If I had a larger kitchen Inset may look good. I go by what project I am working on. Each project is different.

Mia - what is the height of the upper cabinets? Are those standard 36?"