Choosing between American framed cabinets and European frameless renditions often boils down to personal preference.

While the American framed counterpart emerges as an immensely popular choice, classic white European kitchen cabinets exhibit a timeless charm that one can't ignore.

It's pretty easy to distinguish a framed and a frameless cabinet as one pays close attention.

The American framed cabinets typically have wide gaps around the doors showing the face of the wood.

In comparison, the European frameless cabinets have much smaller gaps (less than a quarter-inch or more). Moreover, they also carry a matching edge band which is visible on the cabinet box, when its doors are left open.

Well, that's there with the basics and many more subtle differences that distinguish one kind from another.

In this post, we take a closer look at both frameless and framed cabinet styles, their merits and demerits, and help you make an informed decision to buy one.

The American Style Face Frames

As the name suggests, face frame cabinets dominate the structure of a cabinet and use comparatively thinner materials for the cabinet box.

One can find additional frame pieces (mullions) that rest right between the door and the face of the drawer.

One of the standout features of American framed cabinets is the doors that remain attached to the face frame and carry hinges concealed within. In such structures, the shelves are generally of half depth and can be hung side up or down according to one’s need.

Face frame cabinets are known to sport doors that are not classic or pure square in shape. Also, they use a trim mold for their finish which measures just about an inch, but wide enough to press on the wall contours. Thus, they are nailed right on the face of the cabinet as well as to the sides to even out the gaps following the installation.

In essence, this particular style of cabinetry is geared towards keeping things under budget and allows the makers to work persistently and create a specific line of products.

The European Frameless Style

Taking a different stance from American face frame cabinets, we have the European Frameless style that views the cabinet box as the main structure.

It goes to work with a thin edge connected to the cabinet box matching the exteriors. The material used for the cabinet box is also thicker and carries quite a bit of weight.

Also, instead of the face frame, the glides for the door and the drawers stay attached to the cabinet box itself. The white European kitchen cabinets also use concealed hinges, which is again chunkier compared to its American counterpart.

While such frameless cabinets can be easily ordered by referring to a catalog, most buyers opt for a custom made product.

Another glaring difference between the two cabinetry styles is how the European frameless renditions work with cabinet doors that are perfect squares, and all lines between the drawers and doors are straight, imparting consistency throughout.

Furthermore, the finishing detail instead of using trim molds are scribed and further cut to fit within the walls.

Delightful enough, one can have a European frameless cabinets customized to their liking, mood, and style. White European kitchen cabinets, unlike framed ones, can be made to look rustic, transitional, modern, or traditional, and could be even a blend of any two styles.

How Do You Know Which Is The Right Style For You?

As mentioned earlier, choosing a particular style of cabinetry is all dependent on your personal preference. However, there are a few merits and demerits to each style.

For instance, the white European kitchen cabinets are extremely high in demand and can offer a rich look and elegant feel to any space.

Even if you go for any other color other than the classic ones, it is the flexibility, the visually stunning appearance, and precise carpentry that goes in its favor.

Come-of-age cabinet makers have a wide range of white kitchen cabinets for sale to choose from. Cabinet DIY is one such professional and passionate cabinet maker that has helped many homeowners pick the right piece for their place. One can order from their website and get it shipped to their doorstep.

It's only evident why this carefully cut and sculpted cabinetry finds its place across leading home decor magazines and websites around the world.

The American face frame cabinets can seldom claim to match the elegance and timeless beauty of white European kitchen cabinets. Also, given the choice, European frameless cabinets have multiple doors and wide drawer banks offering adequate room for storage.

Most importantly, the hardware that goes into the making of a frameless cabinet has everything attached to the cabinet box which promises more longevity, compared to face frame renditions. While the former is more likely to stay the same over several years, the latter is prone to cracks appearing in places now and then, with slides and hinges fitted with screws.

Nevertheless, one of the standout reasons that might give American face frame cabinets an upper hand over European frameless cabinetry is budget.

American framed cabinets using much thinner finish material attributes to lower pricing. Also, given the fact that there isn't much room for exquisite designs, the budget is often an overpowering factor for many buyers.

Wrap up

For anyone who would like to order a cabinet that is aesthetically pleasing and promises endless customization and longevity will side with European frameless cabinets.

In doing so, it is quite probable that pricing won't be a hindrance as one wages the investment for the value the furniture adds to a living space. Something that American face framed cabinets can't seem to match up.

This beautiful geometric project designed by Mike Farley has a lot of elevation changes with a stunning view of the golfcourse. The flush spa was kept near the house for easy access and blended with the contemporary style of the home. Both the outdoor kitchen and fire pit area are used as retaining walls with the elevation change. It also gives lots of seating along with the bar stools - inside and outside the pool. The water feature is a sheer rain fall that is kept low so that the golf course view isn't blocked. There is a nice sized tanning ledge to hang out on. The outdoor kitchen has a grill, trash can, drop in cooler and lots of seating. The cabana has cam lights for evening fun. We used ceramic on the patio that looks like wood and has greys and browns in it. The concrete is grey with a heavy texture. The channels have Mexican Pebble to blend with the grey tones.

We’re excited to show off this gorgeous master bathroom and laundry room remodel we just finished in Herndon, Virginia. A bathroom is a serene oasis where you begin or finish your day and decorating it with some stylish features such as a freestanding bathtub is a must. When designing for your bathroom, most of us are limited by space. This can make it harder to make your vision come to life. Usually with some clever design tricks, any size of bathroom can look fantastic. This stunning master bathroom features a freestanding soaking tub, clear shower glass, porcelain big tiles on the shower wall with marble mosaic tile on the floor blended uniquely and walls painted in Sherwin Williams High Reflective Gray SW7072 by Prime Custom Kitchen and Bath Remodeling What’s awesome about this remodel project is that the clients took full use of what makes Prime Custom Kitchen and Bath Remodeling different from other remodelers. The fact that we’re also a cabinetry distributor allows the couple to put a higher-end Fieldstone Cabinetry line in their master bathroom where they wanted to create a gorgeous- transitional getaway, and in the less-occupied spaces like the laundry room, they went for a more affordable line create a look that isn’t only easy on the eyes, but also the budget. Project Type: Master Bath, Laundry Room ($35,000.00) Completion Date: April 2019 Project Location: Herndon, Virginia Designer: Aaron Onal

Like an obelisk in a high-style oasis, the Mid-town™ Two Handle Widespread Lavatory Faucet will take your contemporary décor to the next level. And if this faucet’s clean design isn’t enough, then its excellent performance is sure to impress. A ceramic disc valve ensures effortless, drip free turning action while a laminar flow aerator guarantees a crisp, clean stream. Installation is easy with a touch down drain and the Danze Quick Connect System.

Location, location, location! Isn’t that what all of our real-estate friends and colleagues are always telling us? Our clients made a wise choice when purchasing this beautifully located ocean front property nestled in the dunes of Palm Beach, but they were presented with a challenge: how to take this luxury townhouse from dark and dated to a chic easy breezy dream home that reflects is naturally gorgeous sun and sand dunes surroundings as well as our clients laid back personalities. Built in 1981, this dream home’s post-modern style with dark wood architectural features, cold concrete structure, and harsh lighting felt out of step by todays standards. Our solution: open the staircase and switch out the wood paneled banister for clear glass, exposing its grand design and allowing for amazing and unobscured views of the property’s outdoor spaces as well as the home’s common areas, permitting its large loft space to shine. Bedrooms were treated to neutral color-schemes inspired by the Palm Beach dunes that surround this oceanfront home. An impressive pallet of textures and materials were chosen, and juxtapositions of lux linens and natural textiles like grass wall coverings and a large arrangement of sculptural branches brings the outside, in. Big and bold custom metal sculptures were installed in the primary bedroom along with hand blown glass light fixtures, adding that touch of glam that we are known for. The private courtyard revamp is above and beyond anything you will see in Palm Beach. Playful and luxurious, it features a koi pond, a two story art installation and a dramatic custom stone waterfall. Its seating area makes great use of this homes original design by softening the heavy overhang with ceiling coverings in Peaky Cyprus and covering the walls with grass, creating a very cool and cozy space to relax and unwind. The entire courtyard is expertly illuminated by artistic lighting that makes every corner a sparkling treat for the eyes. We had fun with this ambitious project and we hope your takeaway is to let location be your guide when looking for your dream home, because anything is possible in design but great surroundings are rare treasures that must be found and cherished.

This beautiful geometric project designed by Mike Farley has a lot of elevation changes with a stunning view of the golfcourse. The flush spa was kept near the house for easy access and blended with the contemporary style of the home. Both the outdoor kitchen and fire pit area are used as retaining walls with the elevation change. It also gives lots of seating along with the bar stools - inside and outside the pool. The water feature is a sheer rain fall that is kept low so that the golf course view isn't blocked. There is a nice sized tanning ledge to hang out on. The outdoor kitchen has a grill, trash can, drop in cooler and lots of seating. The cabana has cam lights for evening fun. We used ceramic on the patio that looks like wood and has greys and browns in it. The concrete is grey with a heavy texture. The channels have Mexican Pebble to blend with the grey tones.

This client was in need of her own efficient home office. Her husband works from home, and she has plans to retire and continue to work from home as well. She already had an office but it lacked the storage that she needed. She came to us with an inspiration photo that we were able to recreate for her. She wanted space for display as well as closed storage and filing drawers. We also included 2 spaces for printers with sliding drawers for easy access. The client also wanted the center to house a record player and audio system. The middle cabinets have a metal grid on the face inside of a solid panel to allow breathing room and ventilation for audio equipment. In contrast, the entry wall on the other side of the room has more open storage with shelves on both sides of the double doors. This isn’t immediately seen when entering the office so it didn’t need to be perfect and orderly like the back wall of the office. Overall, we are thrilled with the way this office turned out, and we are so happy we were able to turn our clients’ vision into a reality! Space Planning: Richard Ourso and Logan Wheeler Ramirez (Ourso Designs) Photos by Collin Richie Photography

This client was in need of her own efficient home office. Her husband works from home, and she has plans to retire and continue to work from home as well. She already had an office but it lacked the storage that she needed. She came to us with an inspiration photo that we were able to recreate for her. She wanted space for display as well as closed storage and filing drawers. We also included 2 spaces for printers with sliding drawers for easy access. The client also wanted the center to house a record player and audio system. The middle cabinets have a metal grid on the face inside of a solid panel to allow breathing room and ventilation for audio equipment. In contrast, the entry wall on the other side of the room has more open storage with shelves on both sides of the double doors. This isn’t immediately seen when entering the office so it didn’t need to be perfect and orderly like the back wall of the office. Overall, we are thrilled with the way this office turned out, and we are so happy we were able to turn our clients’ vision into a reality! Space Planning: Richard Ourso and Logan Wheeler Ramirez (Ourso Designs) Photos by Collin Richie Photography

Designing for an avid gardener isn't always easy, but will clear communication and frequent site visits, we were able to develop a landscape rich with diverse native plants, offering habitat to wildlife and beauty for the homeowner. Each autumn, this space becomes a kaleidoscope of fall foliage and pollinator activity.

Location, location, location! Isn’t that what all of our real-estate friends and colleagues are always telling us? Our clients made a wise choice when purchasing this beautifully located ocean front property nestled in the dunes of Palm Beach, but they were presented with a challenge: how to take this luxury townhouse from dark and dated to a chic easy breezy dream home that reflects is naturally gorgeous sun and sand dunes surroundings as well as our clients laid back personalities. Built in 1981, this dream home’s post-modern style with dark wood architectural features, cold concrete structure, and harsh lighting felt out of step by todays standards. Our solution: open the staircase and switch out the wood paneled banister for clear glass, exposing its grand design and allowing for amazing and unobscured views of the property’s outdoor spaces as well as the home’s common areas, permitting its large loft space to shine. Bedrooms were treated to neutral color-schemes inspired by the Palm Beach dunes that surround this oceanfront home. An impressive pallet of textures and materials were chosen, and juxtapositions of lux linens and natural textiles like grass wall coverings and a large arrangement of sculptural branches brings the outside, in. Big and bold custom metal sculptures were installed in the primary bedroom along with hand blown glass light fixtures, adding that touch of glam that we are known for. The private courtyard revamp is above and beyond anything you will see in Palm Beach. Playful and luxurious, it features a koi pond, a two story art installation and a dramatic custom stone waterfall. Its seating area makes great use of this homes original design by softening the heavy overhang with ceiling coverings in Peaky Cyprus and covering the walls with grass, creating a very cool and cozy space to relax and unwind. The entire courtyard is expertly illuminated by artistic lighting that makes every corner a sparkling treat for the eyes. We had fun with this ambitious project and we hope your takeaway is to let location be your guide when looking for your dream home, because anything is possible in design but great surroundings are rare treasures that must be found and cherished.

This beautiful bathroom remodel by Stoneunlimited Kitchen and Bath has all the bells and whistles that any dream bath should have. Middleton Maple Medallion cabinetry in Frappe finish with soft close doors and dovetail construction are topped off with beautiful Brunello Quartz that have a soft veining pattern and look like marble. The decision to install 2 vanity top towers allowed for more storage solutions and created a vertical component that added balance to the room. Check out the before images of this part of bathroom our website, there used to be a linen closet on this wall. The shower is luxurious with its Delta fixtures, 4 body sprays, hand shower and shower trim at the entrance for easy access to turning on the water. The hex patterned tile above the niche is a nice design element that draws the eye upward and in line with the mirrors installed on the opposite wall. A linear drain with tile insert, allows for drainage without the traditional look of a drain. Serpentino Blanco Porcelain tiles throughout, add an element of texture with it's fluid soft veining pattern. The flooring isn't just beautiful, it's been upgraded. Heated floors throughout will provide warmth to the feet during cold days and our clients can even program the thermostat according to their bathing schedule. Last but not least is the 60" free standing tub. It's tub filler and hand-shower make it the perfect place to soak and relax after a long day. View the before and and after photographs as well as the video of this project!

Cogs Construction and Design, Inc. was approached by a customer who had a rotten pressure treated deck that needed to be replaced. The homeowners are very environmentally conscious and wanted to do their part to avoid any toxic runoff into the lake their property abutted. The homeowner researched various materials for their project and decided to rebuild with aluminum decking. The aluminum decking was appealing to the homeowners because it will never rot and it will collect the water runoff that can be directed into a trough system. This project had a couple of engineering hurdles; the property was on a severe slope with a failed retaining wall and the upper deck was 16 feet from the ground with very little land from the house and the water. After the structure was rebuilt, we installed the new aluminum decking and railing system. The decking interlocks into one another and creates a dry area beneath the deck when it rains. This product is a great alternative to wood or composite decking for anyone who has a 2nd story deck and needs a dry area below or would like to control water runoff from their deck. Give us a call to discuss the advantages of aluminum decking. photo credit: Cogs Construction

"We installed this floor last fall as part of a remodel of most of our house, including this dance studio. Now that the remodel is done and the room is cleaned up, I can say that I LOVE LOVE LOVE this floor! So many awesome things to say about it: 1) Installation was so easy it's crazy. Once the underlayment was down, we just set a few pieces in place at one time and then walked around and snapped them into place. It was even a little fun. We did sometimes have to give it a sharp thwack but, even so, installation was simple. The hardest part was bending over repeatedly to lay new ones but there's no avoiding that. 2) The floor is warm on our tootsies in a room that we keep cold. 3) Barefoot, socks, or sneakers, we have no problems at all. The floor isn't too sticky or too slippery. Side note: it is absolutely in place; no movement at all. 4) Because of the underlayment and the sprung quality of the floor, it's really comfortable to dance on. We use the studio for Zumba, in addition to belly dance, and high-impact moves don't hurt us at all. 5) And ... it looks awesome! This floor is beautiful and I'm so proud of it! Wish we had done it years ago!" - Robin https://www.greatmats.com/tiles/raised-floor-tiles-max.php

KITCHEN RENOVATION  CURRENT CRAFTSMAN This client started off just being curious about our services - what we could do, and if we could even help her update her kitchen. She and her husband with their two teenage kids have lived in their home for several years without updating anything since the house was originally built. They didn’t quite have a budget in mind yet. They didn’t know their style, or even if they had one. Their timeline was simple, “as fast as you can so we’re not without a kitchen for very long” (usually what we hear for kitchen updates). After a very productive consultation: determining the scope of work and zeroing in on a budget, I was very excited to update this underwhelming space to something that is modern but timeless, something that is theirs. And, it was easy to see what type of design style they gravitated toward looking at the pieces they already own: Craftsman/Prairie Style. I left the meeting so excited to weave in yet another genre of design to my CDG portfolio! We circled in our contractor to discuss the changes they were looking to make and the scope of work that would be theirs. Then I was off to get designing: // Because the kitchen’s footprint and the defined breakfast space delineated by the bay, we kept the perimeter cabinetry as it was originally laid out. We updated these cabinets to a beautiful soft Alabaster White with a Barn Wood Glaze to highlight the simplicity of the shaker style doors. We added transom cabinets above the uppers, with only the back wall having seeded glass inserts to highlight some of their collectables. // The original shaped island was counter-productive (See what I did there?) in functionality and design. We squared this off to reduce some of the angles and gain more storage. We highlighted the new island with a contrasting oak cabinet in a dark finish, to pay our respects to the craftsman style, and topped with a concrete-like countertop as a nod to the Prairie Style, allowing the homeowners to gain two extra seats and a massive -uninterrupted- work surface. // The small section of cabinetry between the garage entry and fridge now is the perfect dump-station for mail, electronics, whatever is in their hands when they come into the house; and completely hidden by the refrigerator. // The disconnected cabinetry in the breakfast area makes for a great place to have a working office. Accessible from the kitchen or the adjacent great room, this is the perfect place for the kids to do their homework while mom and dad are putting together dinner. The base cabinets are built out for office-type storage: paper and pencil drawers, filing systems, and cord management. Additionally, the long counter provides a ton of worksurface to spread out. // The largest transformation was the pantry. We raised the height of the doorway and added huge custom designed bypass sliding barndoors. Finished with a dark stain to compliment the island and cut to inset 4 stained glass windows, typical of this style of design, and driving home the concept for the whole space. // They were desperate to replace their flooring with something extremely durable to flow throughout the kitchen and the whole main level. This beautiful new flooring is actually a textured LVT(!) Which allowed them to save on overall cost and extend the life of their new flooring purchase. // They loved their copper table, so we kept it and added new simple, mid-century modern chairs around it and a shiny new craftsman-style chandelier above. We added bright barstools in a burnt orange-red accent, and a bright woven rug to tie it all together. // Because the kitchen renovation was shaping up to be pretty spectacular, they decided they needed to now replace their ‘now-these-look-a-little-too-old’ upholstered seating in the neighboring great room with 2 new sofas. We found the perfect sage-y-grey fabric which we covered on sofa frames that have and exposed oak-wood base, which we finished in a warm weathered grey. // As every designer knows, a room isn’t finished until there’s something on the windows. Now that the new flooring was installed and every other room on the main level ‘seemed’ to be updated, we needed to update the window treatments in the dining, and great rooms to reflect their new design concept. I hope you find the ‘after’ photos refreshing (as refreshing as it was for me to work on something that’s not a “Farm House” style that’s saturating the industry right now!) This was such a fun project and a great collaboration with our contractor.

Pull off the style you’ve been dreaming of, from country to contemporary, with our Shaker Antique White cabinets. The clean lines and versatility of Shaker style cabinets pairs perfectly with the light creamy finish to create a timeless, comfortable look in any style home. Our Shaker Antique White cabinets are another style that lend themselves perfectly to blending styles, tastes and even colors. This particular style looks great with black or dark colored countertops and floors, as the contrast isn’t as striking as it is with bright white cabinetry. Similarly, darker hardware, fixtures and accessories pair well with our Shaker Antique White kitchen cabinets. In the kitchen, there can be a nice contrast between the Antique White kitchen cabinets, and a dark island which always fits well stainless steel, and in some designs, black appliances. Shaker Antique White kitchen cabinets can be purchased as RTA cabinets wholesale or as pre-assembled wholesale cabinets. Allowing you to take advantage of a significant cost savings and have beautiful, easy to install cabinets at the same time.

Laundry rooms can be pretty as well as practical. Easy to clean, durable materials combine with elegant finishes, lots of storage, and a large sink to make this laundry room serve double duty (dog bathing and laundry). Ed Gohlich

Sweet Water Screened Porch
This is an example of a mid-sized traditional screened-in back porch design in Atlanta with a roof extension.

This kitchen project showcases a striking balance of contemporary design and practical functionality. The homeowners desired a space that was not only visually appealing but also catered to their busy family lifestyle. This kitchen features a handleless Matt Lacquer Bianco design, creating a sleek and minimalist aesthetic. This clean look is beautifully contrasted with an eye-catching island in Blu Petrolio, adding a bold and stylish focal point to the room. The Absolute White Quartz Worktop with upstand and glass splashback provides a durable and easy-to-clean surface that complements the family’s busy routines. The island isn’t just a visual centrepiece; it includes a convenient second sink and seating area, making it an ideal spot for casual dining or socialising while cooking. This Bianco and Blu Petrolio Kitchen in Herne Hill is a testament to how contemporary design can enhance everyday living. The combination of the handleless Bianco units with the striking Blu Petrolio island creates a space that is both inviting and functional, perfectly tailored to the needs of a modern household.

Huge minimalist backyard stamped concrete patio fountain photo in San Diego with a roof extension