On the perimeter of this kitchen, Waypoint Livingspaces Painted Hazelnut Glaze door style 760F was installed and for the island Cherry Chocolate Glaze in the 760F door style. Includes molding, grooved panels, light rail, scribe and crown molding. On the countertops, Giallo Ornamental granite was installed. For the backsplash, Limestone 3x6 Crema. Decorative Everly Collection lighting Olde Bronze pendant lights, Lacey Collection table light in Mission Bronze, and Kayde mini-pendant light over the sink in Olde Bronze. A Moen Camerist faucet in oiled rubbed bronze, a Blanco Silgranite sink in Biscuit.

Michael Hunter
Example of a transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen design in Dallas with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, gray backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Main Line Kitchen Design's unique business model allows our customers to work with the most experienced designers and get the most competitive kitchen cabinet pricing. How does Main Line Kitchen Design offer the best designs along with the most competitive kitchen cabinet pricing? We are a more modern and cost effective business model. We are a kitchen cabinet dealer and design team that carries the highest quality kitchen cabinetry, is experienced, convenient, and reasonable priced. Our five award winning designers work by appointment only, with pre-qualified customers, and only on complete kitchen renovations. Our designers are some of the most experienced and award winning kitchen designers in the Delaware Valley. We design with and sell 8 nationally distributed cabinet lines. Cabinet pricing is slightly less than major home centers for semi-custom cabinet lines, and significantly less than traditional showrooms for custom cabinet lines. After discussing your kitchen on the phone, first appointments always take place in your home, where we discuss and measure your kitchen. Subsequent appointments usually take place in one of our offices and selection centers where our customers consider and modify 3D designs on flat screen TV's. We can also bring sample doors and finishes to your home and make design changes on our laptops in 20-20 CAD with you, in your own kitchen. Call today! We can estimate your kitchen project from soup to nuts in a 15 minute phone call and you can find out why we get the best reviews on the internet. We look forward to working with you. As our company tag line says: "The world of kitchen design is changing..."

This Pasadena Arts & Crafts custom kitchen features stained cabinetry that blends seamlessly with the rest of the home. The designer paid close attention to every authentic detail while incorporating the needs of a functional kitchen. Design details include glass lead doors, cloud-lift detail on doors and end panel rails, Ebony square protruding pegs with pillow tops, drop stiles with inside corner radius on wall cabinets, an inclined routed foot detail on the base cabinet stiles, crown G & upper scribe molding that displays stepped surfaces w/ rounded edge detail, a wine rack with oil bronze tubes, and Pasadena Island brackets and posts! The kitchen features Sapele wood, Nutmeg stain, with Monterey & Pasadena door styles with Pasadena 5pc drawer fronts along with integrated Waterfall drawer fronts. Photo by Crown Point Cabinetry

Photo Credit: Nat Rea
Beach style l-shaped open concept kitchen photo in Providence with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, porcelain backsplash and stainless steel appliances

This Pasadena Arts & Crafts custom kitchen features stained cabinetry that blends seamlessly with the rest of the home. The designer paid close attention to every authentic detail while incorporating the needs of a functional kitchen. Design details include glass lead doors, cloud-lift detail on doors and end panel rails, Ebony square protruding pegs with pillow tops, drop stiles with inside corner radius on wall cabinets, an inclined routed foot detail on the base cabinet stiles, crown G & upper scribe molding that displays stepped surfaces w/ rounded edge detail, a wine rack with oil bronze tubes, and Pasadena Island brackets and posts! The kitchen features Sapele wood, Nutmeg stain, with Monterey & Pasadena door styles with Pasadena 5pc drawer fronts along with integrated Waterfall drawer fronts. Photo by Crown Point Cabinetry

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.

We took on everything in this study. We did all the mill work and prefinished it at the shop so the color would be a perfect match to the cabinetry. The cabinets themselfs are beaded inset with raised panel doors. There is a coffered ceiling that ties into the cabinetry. The counter tops are 1 1/2" thick cherry. The furniture toes are part of the frames and scribe to the floor. There is cabinet lighting under the shelves. There are remote control drawer locks on the left and right side drawers. Photo Melis Kemp

This Pasadena Arts & Crafts custom kitchen features stained cabinetry that blends seamlessly with the rest of the home. The designer paid close attention to every authentic detail while incorporating the needs of a functional kitchen. Design details include glass lead doors, cloud-lift detail on doors and end panel rails, Ebony square protruding pegs with pillow tops, drop stiles with inside corner radius on wall cabinets, an inclined routed foot detail on the base cabinet stiles, crown G & upper scribe molding that displays stepped surfaces w/ rounded edge detail, a wine rack with oil bronze tubes, and Pasadena Island brackets and posts! The kitchen features Sapele wood, Nutmeg stain, with Monterey & Pasadena door styles with Pasadena 5pc drawer fronts along with integrated Waterfall drawer fronts. Photo by Crown Point Cabinetry

Springgate Photography
Example of a large classic master medium tone wood floor bedroom design in Salt Lake City with beige walls, a standard fireplace and a wood fireplace surround

Every detail of this kitchen has been curated with love. Our beautiful Medallion Cabinetry is definitely a major player in the beauty of this space. The client was recreating a space she loved from a prior house, while we helped her add touches that truly make this a dream kitchen. The island is so spacious that she will never want for workspace, or for jaw-drops from guests that enter the space. The brightness of this kitchen comes from several luminous sources...the globe pendant lights, the under-cabinet LEDs, the beautiful picture windows, and from the in-cabinet lighting in the upper cabinets. The vent hood was custom-made for the homeowner. Cabinetry was provided and installed by Allen's Fine Woodworking. Pictures by Zach Luellen Photography, LLC.

Bella Cucina
Inspiration for a timeless eat-in kitchen remodel in Detroit with medium tone wood cabinets, raised-panel cabinets, a farmhouse sink, granite countertops and paneled appliances

Bragging rights bestowed. This gorgeous local kitchen is the perfect marriage of hard and soft. From the whites and greys to the gloss and matte finishes, the homeowners' choices complement the highly functional design of this space. High gloss backsplash tiles make for easy cleanup. The black hardware is an excellent highlight on the stark white cabinets and picks up other black features throughout the kitchen. Stainless steel updates the farmhouse-style sink and brings it into the appliance club with the fridge, oven, dishwasher, and microwave. All the steel is balanced by the warm, rustic look of the floor.

Every detail of this kitchen has been curated with love. Our beautiful Medallion Cabinetry is definitely a major player in the beauty of this space. The client was recreating a space she loved from a prior house, while we helped her add touches that truly make this a dream kitchen. The island is so spacious that she will never want for workspace, or for jaw-drops from guests that enter the space. The brightness of this kitchen comes from several luminous sources...the globe pendant lights, the under-cabinet LEDs, the beautiful picture windows, and from the in-cabinet lighting in the upper cabinets. The vent hood was custom-made for the homeowner. Cabinetry was provided and installed by Allen's Fine Woodworking. Pictures by Zach Luellen Photography, LLC.

Every detail of this kitchen has been curated with love. Our beautiful Medallion Cabinetry is definitely a major player in the beauty of this space. The client was recreating a space she loved from a prior house, while we helped her add touches that truly make this a dream kitchen. The island is so spacious that she will never want for workspace, or for jaw-drops from guests that enter the space. The brightness of this kitchen comes from several luminous sources...the globe pendant lights, the under-cabinet LEDs, the beautiful picture windows, and from the in-cabinet lighting in the upper cabinets. The vent hood was custom-made for the homeowner. Cabinetry was provided and installed by Allen's Fine Woodworking. Pictures by Zach Luellen Photography, LLC.

This Pasadena Arts & Crafts custom kitchen features stained cabinetry that blends seamlessly with the rest of the home. The designer paid close attention to every authentic detail while incorporating the needs of a functional kitchen. Design details include glass lead doors, cloud-lift detail on doors and end panel rails, Ebony square protruding pegs with pillow tops, drop stiles with inside corner radius on wall cabinets, an inclined routed foot detail on the base cabinet stiles, crown G & upper scribe molding that displays stepped surfaces w/ rounded edge detail, a wine rack with oil bronze tubes, and Pasadena Island brackets and posts! The kitchen features Sapele wood, Nutmeg stain, with Monterey & Pasadena door styles with Pasadena 5pc drawer fronts along with integrated Waterfall drawer fronts. Photo by Crown Point Cabinetry

Every detail of this kitchen has been curated with love. Our beautiful Medallion Cabinetry is definitely a major player in the beauty of this space. The client was recreating a space she loved from a prior house, while we helped her add touches that truly make this a dream kitchen. The island is so spacious that she will never want for workspace, or for jaw-drops from guests that enter the space. The brightness of this kitchen comes from several luminous sources...the globe pendant lights, the under-cabinet LEDs, the beautiful picture windows, and from the in-cabinet lighting in the upper cabinets. The vent hood was custom-made for the homeowner. Cabinetry was provided and installed by Allen's Fine Woodworking. Pictures by Zach Luellen Photography, LLC.

Beach style living room photo in Orange County

We took on everything in this study. We did all the mill work and prefinished it at the shop so the color would be a perfect match to the cabinetry. The cabinets themselfs are beaded inset with raised panel doors. There is a coffered ceiling that ties into the cabinetry. The counter tops are 1 1/2" thick cherry. The furniture toes are part of the frames and scribe to the floor. There is cabinet lighting under the shelves. There are remote control drawer locks on the left and right side drawers. Photo Melis Kemp