Mila Legrand
With most cabinet doors, the door itself is installed over the top of the rest of the cabinet. When you look at the cabinet from the side, you will see the door as a separate section that sits apart from the main body of the cabinet. With inset cabinets, the door rests inside of the actual frame; when you look at them from the side, you see only the frame itself.
Inset cabinets are becoming more and more popular, and there are plenty of benefits that justify that popularity. However, inset cabinet doors also come with a few drawbacks, and it's important to consider both the pros and cons before you commit.
The Advantages of Installing Inset Cabinet Doors
Probably the most common reason given for wanting inset cabinetry is that it just looks better. With the doors set flush within the cabinets, you receive a look that is simple yet elegant, and the edges of the doors are less prone to wear and tear over time since they are not as exposed when open. In addition to the normal colour and design options available for kitchen cabinets, you can opt for either beaded or non-beaded inserts and either exposed or hidden hinges to give your inset cabinets their own special look.
You'll also find that the space savings, though they might seem negligible, are actually quite noticeable when you're dealing with a very small kitchen. The cabinets will project outwards just a little less, and you'd be surprised by the difference that can make when space is at a premium.
Additionally, inset doors require precise construction in order to open and close properly, so you can count on them looking extremely professional and lasting for a long time to come.
The Disadvantages of Installing Inset Cabinet Doors
Unfortunately, the skills and experience required to properly fit inset cabinet doors are going to cost you; it should really come as no surprise that inset cabinetry can become quite pricy. They will need to be custom cabinets, so it's best to go with something else if you want to stick with an off-the-rack option.
Inset cabinet doors also make it a little tougher to load your shelves since the doors will need to take up some room inside. You'll get used to sitting your plates and glasses a couple of centimetres back from the edge of your cabinets, but this can still get quite inconvenient. Finally, doors can swell with moisture, meaning that inset doors can swell shut. This isn't normally a problem, but it's something to keep in mind if you live in an area that tends to get quite humid.
Salutations! My name is Donna, and this is my remodelling blog. On this blog, I plan to write about everything, from hiring remodelling contractors, to doing the work yourself, to choosing the finishing touches to complement your project. My writing draws from my experience remodelling my first home, and I also plan to include some of the research I have done on this topic as well. I am a mum for four kids who are all grown, and my first grandchild is on the way soon. I love to knit, quilt and spin. I also love to read design magazines and spend time in nature. Thanks for reading.