On an in frame kitchen the door sits inside a visible timber frame rather than on the front of the cabinet. It is how furniture was made before kitchens were mass produced, and it is the most traditional construction you can buy. It also costs more, for reasons worth understanding before you decide.
What is the actual difference from shaker?
On a shaker kitchen the door sits proud on the front of the carcass. On an in frame kitchen a frame is fixed to the carcass and the door sits inside it, flush.
Look at the gaps. On a standard kitchen the doors are separated by a shadow gap and the carcass behind is hidden. On an in frame kitchen you see a continuous frame around every opening, and the doors sit within it.
That frame is why it reads as furniture. It is also why it is more work: the frame has to be made and fitted to each cabinet, and each door has to be hung with an even gap all round.
Why does in frame cost more?
More material, more making, and far less tolerance for error.
A shaker door can be adjusted on its hinges to sit level against the cabinet front. An in frame door has to sit inside an opening with a consistent gap on all four sides, and any inconsistency is visible immediately because the eye has the frame to compare it against.
The frame itself is additional timber, machining and finishing on every cabinet. That is the honest reason for the difference, and it is a real one rather than a badge.
Where does in frame belong?
In period houses, in rooms with existing fine joinery, and in kitchens meant to look like furniture rather than fitted units.
It suits a Georgian or Victorian house particularly well, and it suits a kitchen with freestanding elements such as a dresser or a larder. In a modern open plan room it can look overdressed, though a painted in frame island in an otherwise plain kitchen is a combination that works.
If you like the traditional look but not the cost, shaker gives you most of the character. We will say so at the design visit rather than pushing the dearer option. See our <a href="/kitchens/shaker/">shaker kitchens</a> page.
Does in frame lose you storage?
A little, and it is worth knowing. The frame reduces the size of the opening into each cabinet.
The carcass behind is the same size, but the frame narrows the opening you reach through, so wide items and large appliances need checking against the clear opening rather than the cabinet width.
It matters most on drawers and on any cabinet meant to hold something bulky. It is accounted for at design stage, which is another reason the 3D drawing is worth spending time on.
How it works
We call out, measure the space and talk through what you want. Our designers draw it in 3D so you see the finished piece in your own room, and you get one complete itemised quote within two working days. Nothing is ordered and nothing is charged until you say yes.
One team for this and the rest of the job
The same team that makes this fits it, and we also do kitchens, fitted wardrobes, internal doors and windows. If more than one thing needs doing, it is one contractor, one schedule and one point of contact rather than four. See the rest of our work.
Frequently asked questions
Can you do in frame on just the island?
Yes, and it is a good way to get the look where it shows most. Mixing constructions is fine as long as the finishes agree.
Is in frame more traditional than shaker?
Yes, in construction. Shaker describes the door style, in frame describes how the door meets the cabinet, and the two are often combined.
Does it need painting or can it be timber?
Either. Painted is the more common choice in Ireland, and a natural timber in frame kitchen is a very different, warmer look.
What areas do you cover?
Dublin, Meath, Kildare and Wicklow. The design visit is free and there is no obligation.