A guide to different kitchen styles
Do you know your in-frame from your frameless, your shaker from your slab? When it comes to kitchens there’s a number of styles you can choose from, each with their own aesthetic. Kitchens are a really big investment, so it’s worth working out exactly what you like and what suits your home - here’s a guide to help you decide.
In-Frame vs Frameless
In-frame cupboards, source: Sustainable Kitchens
In-frame cupboards, Studio McGee
Before thinking about cabinet styles, let’s address in-frame vs frameless cabinet styles. As the name suggests, in-frame cabinets are inset into a frame, and the door is attached to the frame. The door can then either be mounted flush to the frame which gives a sleek look, or it can be mounted to the front of the frame so that it partially overlays the frame.
Frameless cabinets lose the front frame, and the door is attached to the inside cabinet box. Since the doors can only be attached to the side of the cabinet box, they cover the entire front of the cabinet.
Frameless cabinets, source: Naked Kitchens
Frameless cabinets, source: Signature Designs
Shaker
Source: Chalkhouse Kitchens
Source: McClark Bespoke Kitchens (Upland Road project)
Shaker kitchens are incredibly popular, and they consist of either in-frame or frameless doors, with a flat panel with a raised square frame on the panel. They’re practical and minimal in design, working in both contemporary designs and more traditional ones, making them a timeless choice.
Slab door
Source: 1909
Source: Rebecca Wakefield, kitchen & cabinets: DIY Kitchens, Naked Doors & SuperFront
A slab door kitchen, as the name suggests, is one where the doors and front panels are completely flat, with no raised or recessed features. They work well in more modern designs due to their minimal look, or in smaller kitchens as they don’t take up much visual space.
Integrated handles
Integrated handles are those that are made out of the actual door itself, rather than a separate knob or handle attached to the door. There’s a lot of choice when it comes to integrated handles - you can go for small circular, square or rectangle inset pulls, or you can go for J grooves which run the entire length of the top or side of the door. One thing to consider is that you need to keep these integrated handles clean as they can become a magnet for dirt!
Handleless
Handleless kitchens are modern and sleek - and they either consist of a push to open mechanism, or a very slim channel which is barely visible, allowing you to get your fingers into the door or cupboard to open. Whilst they’re perfect for a minimalist look, they might not be the easiest for young children or older people to use, or those with long fingernails!
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