BackExploring Cabinet Styles: Inset, Overlay and European07/22/21

The right cabinet style can dramatically enhance the aesthetic of your newly remodeled space. It should meld seamlessly with the overall design, enriching the ambiance and charm of your home.

Whether you’re leaning towards a sleek, contemporary appeal or prefer the elegance of traditional craftsmanship, our seasoned experts at Wineteer Construction are equipped to design, deliver, and install cabinet solutions tailored to your remodeling needs. Dive into our guide to understand the distinct characteristics of three popular cabinet styles:

Inset Cabinets

Inset cabinets feature doors and drawer fronts that sit inside the cabinet box, providing a seamless and clean aesthetic with no overlap on the face frame. This design results in doors that are flush with the face, enhancing the smooth look of the cabinetry. While they require pulls or knobs for opening, inset cabinets do slightly reduce storage space due to the doors occupying a portion of the interior. They can be styled in either a traditional or modern way, depending on the choice of door style and finish.

Key characteristics of inset cabinets:

Doors and drawer fronts are set inside the box with no overlap.
Flush doors for a clean look.
Requires pulls or knobs to open.
Slightly reduced storage space.
Available in traditional or modern styles.
Overlay Cabinets

Overlay Cabinets

Overlay cabinets feature doors and drawer fronts that lay over the face frame, creating a distinctive and stylish appearance. Full overlay cabinets offer a sleek, flush look like inset cabinets but without sacrificing interior space and do not require pulls or knobs for opening. On the other hand, partial overlay cabinets reflect the traditional American style, showcasing more of the face frame.

Key characteristics of overlay cabinets:

Doors and drawer fronts lay over the face frame.
Full overlay provides a flush look without losing storage space.
May not require pulls or knobs for opening.
Partial overlay represents the classic American design.

European Style Cabinets

European style cabinets differ from American cabinets by lacking a face frame. They are typically designed in an overlay style, although inset options are also available. These cabinets feature a slight gap between the doors, allowing for wood expansion and contraction with the seasons, which helps prevent damage.

Key characteristics of European style cabinets:

No face frame for a sleek appearance.
Built in an overlay design with inset options available.
Slight gap between doors to accommodate wood movement.
Contemporary design that can be customized with the right doors, finishes, and pulls.

Contact Wineteer Construction for Help With Your Remodeling Project

Whatever style of cabinet construction you choose for your home, our team will ensure it is of the best quality and functionality. Contact us for more information and get started on your home remodeling project.