Inset vs. Full Overlay Cabinets: Which Style Is Right for You?

Are you trying to decide which type of cabinet to use in your remodel? It’s no surprise that there are hundreds of different options to choose from. Everything from design style to color, cabinet accessories, moldings and cabinet type all need to be chosen.

The biggest question most homeowners ask is what’s the difference between inset and overlay cabinets? Why choose one over the other? There are quite a few differences when you consider storage capacity, maintenance, style and price. To dispel any confusion, let’s dive into what you should consider along with the pros and cons of each style. 

The most popular cabinet type in the United States is full overlay. This style of cabinet has a face frame for added stability and offers many different door styles like full overlay shaker cabinets at a great price point. Many homeowners love this style of cabinet because it can be both modern and provide a furniture-style design.

CliqStudios offers a variety of cabinets, with most of them in full overlay style. Each of our cabinet lines offer popular door styles, finishes and cabinet accessories in different price points to fit every need. Explore our RTA, Mercury, Signature Plus and Craftsman cabinet lines to view full overlay styles now!

Another type of framed cabinet is called partial overlay. This cabinet style is known for its exposed face frames and large spacing between doors. Typically, partial overlay is found in builder-grade homes or used as a less expensive option. One great feature of partial overlay is that the large spacing makes cabinet hardware less necessary.

Although partial overlay cabinets are widely used, CliqStudios does not offer this cabinet style. To find the perfect cabinet line in any style and budget, explore CliqStudios cabinets!

The last cabinet type is another framed style called inset. Inset cabinets are well known because of their high-end and timeless look. You can easily identify them because the doors and drawers fit perfectly within the face frame. Inset kitchen cabinets easily elevate any space and are great for many types of kitchen remodels including historical renovations.

For a high-end kitchen renovation, CliqStudios offers 3 inset doors in our Craftsman cabinet line; Talbot, Fitzgerald and Brentwood. Shop Craftsman cabinets to get started now!

In addition to the cabinet type, it’s important to think about your design style. Are you attracted to furniture-style designs, vintage aesthetics and the added charm of inset? Or do you prefer the modern and clean appeal of full overlay cabinets?

The cabinet style you choose will also affect other design decisions. Things like cabinet hardware, paint colors and countertops are all influenced by the overall design style. If you’re not sure which style is best for your kitchen remodel, here are some pros and cons of each:

Pros of inset cabinets are the elevated look they provide. This cabinet can be installed in the newest and oldest of homes yet still create a stunning look. Because this style tends to be in the custom cabinets category, it’s likely to have many more finishes to choose from along with custom modifications.

Cons of inset cabinets are cabinet adjustments and slightly less storage. Since the doors and drawers are crafted to fit perfectly within the face frame, this leaves around a 1/8 - inch gap around the edge. Any time there are changes in weather and humidity, it’s common for doors and drawers to expand and contract making adjustments necessary. With soft-close hardware on an inset cabinet, the opening from frame to frame is smaller than overlay cabinets causing cabinet accessories to be smaller.

Some pros of full overlay cabinets are their price point, design flexibility and increased storage space because the doors are less restrictive. Since they are so popular across the country, many styles are available to fit every need including shaker, slab, decorative and raised panel door styles.

Lower price points are also possible because overlay cabinets are easy to manufacture. Using the same style of cabinets and offering more door styles is always more cost effective. This’s how the cost savings are passed along, making this cabinet very cost effective.

Cons of overlay cabinets can be they are damaged more easily. Since the doors and drawer fronts don’t sit within the face frame, they are not as protected which makes them susceptible to dings, dents and scuffs. And lastly, the modern and updated styling of overlay cabinets might mean they don’t match a more traditional aesthetic.

Making an important decision like choosing cabinet style always includes budget. The average cost of kitchen cabinets is $2,500 - $24,000. This includes all types of cabinets from in-stock and RTA to even the most custom options. Keep in mind that cabinets are typically 29 percent of the overall kitchen remodeling budget.

Start creating an outline of your budget right away. The more you know, the more confident you can be in your decision-making when it comes to cabinets. Inset cabinetry is usually 35-45% higher in price than standard full overlay and rightfully so. This cabinet type involves meticulous precision during its construction so the doors will fit perfectly within the face frame. If this is your preferred style, be prepared to pay more for it.

Regardless of your perfect kitchen cabinet style, keep your designer in the loop. If you share your preferred style, budget and vision, our designers are great at providing suggestions to help you accomplish your dream. Sometimes this may involve removing a few cabinet accessories, adjusting the kitchen layout or something similar. However, our designers are here to help show you the perfect options for your style and budget. 

Now that you know the differences between inset and overlay cabinets, which one will you choose? If you still have questions, talk to one of our design experts. CliqStudios designers have completed over 50,000 projects. They are eager to help you accomplish your dream kitchen and provide a personalized design experience.

Schedule your free design appointment to get started now!

The type of cabinet doors that you choose will depend on a few things. Style preferences, available budget, cabinet door features, wood stain or paint color, and embellishments in the kitchen cabinet design are all things to consider when deciding between a full overlay, partial overlay, or inset cabinet doors. Are you feeling uneasy about which style to choose? A CliqStudios kitchen designer will go over all the options available to you during the design process to make sure the look you’re after is achieved. Talk to a CliqStudios designer to get started today!

The difference between inset and non-inset cabinets is the face frame and doors. Inset cabinet doors and drawer fronts are designed to fit precisely inside of the exposed cabinet face frame creating a sleek, styled, and timeless design. Doors and drawer fronts on other types of cabinets, like full-overlay, sit on top of the face frame, covering most of the surface. Generally, inset cabinets cost more than full-overlay, and partial-overlay cabinets- sometimes up to 35 -45% more.

Inset cabinets typically have the same cabinet box construction as any other cabinet outside of the face frame and doors. Overall, some people view inset cabinets as 'better' in the sense that they provide a more timeless and classic design. In other words, inset cabinets are not different or 'better' than any other cabinet, they are just unique in style.