Inset Cabinet Buyer’s Guide: Styles, Pricing, & What to Expect

4 Min. Read

Buying inset cabinets is a popular choice for many homeowners today. Inset cabinets are known for their classic and elegant look. Not only that, but they fit many different design aesthetics. Old farmhouses, historic homes, craftsman-style interiors, and furniture-like designs all benefit from the authentic character this type of cabinet brings to the equation.  

CliqStudios offers three styles of inset doors and endless finishes to choose from. Below, we will explore CliqStudios inset cabinet options, what inset style is, average pricing, when to use inset, and things to consider prior to choosing your cabinet door style. 

Inset cabinets are a style of cabinet where the door sits perfectly inside the face frame. Construction needs to be extremely precise in order to create this high-end look which is why they are typically more expensive than standard framed and frameless cabinets. The most common style is an inset shaker with concealed hinges and either a matching 5-piece drawer front or a slab drawer front for a sleek and modern look. This style of cabinet was created in the 18th and 19th centuries making it a truly timeless cabinet that can fit in many kinds of interior designs.

CliqStudios Inset Door Styles 

Brentwood features an inset shaker door with a slab or 5-piece drawer front and concealed hinges that create an upscale, traditional look. Brentwood is offered in Maple, Cherry and Quartersawn Oak wood. 

*Available in beaded face frame. 

Fitzgerald features a reverse-raised style with a flat center panel, and slab or 5-piece drawer front with concealed hinges. This style creates a rich, traditional look. Fitzgerald is offered in Maple, Cherry, and Knotty Alder wood. 

*Available in beaded face frame. 

Talbot features a beveled inset shaker door with a slab or 5-piece drawer front and concealed hinges. This style provides a classic, elegant look. Talbot is offered in Maple, MDF, Cherry, and Knotty Alder wood. 

*Available in barrel hinges and a beaded face frame. 

We showcase the most popular finish options on our website. See your CliqStudios designer for additional colors not listed online. 

Are inset cabinets more expensive? While shopping around, you can expect inset cabinet cost to be around 35 - 45% higher than a standard full-overlay cabinet. This is because inset cabinets require more attention to detail during the construction process. Inset doors need to fit perfectly within the cabinet face frame including hinges and be able to operate smoothly while looking beautiful.

Specific pricing will vary based on the size of your project, the door style, finish, and types of cabinets you chose. For the most accurate pricing, see a CliqStudios kitchen designer for design help and detailed pricing. 

Inset cabinets are not strictly limited to historic homes and well-defined design styles. Although these are great places to use the inset style, if used wisely, it can also be beautifully integrated into builder-grade homes. The best rule of thumb for using inset cabinets is to match the style of your home.  

In historic and farmhouse-style homes, a classic shaker door and minimal beveling, like Brentwood, would look best. Traditional homes need a more decorative style to match their grand design, so larger details are a better fit. And new-build or more modern homes call for a clean inset shaker style with minimal-to-no flashy details. 

Inset-style cabinets can be used for a whole kitchen or specific focal points to create a furniture-like appearance. If you want to draw attention to particular details of a kitchen remodel, consider adding stacked tall wall cabinets that sit on the countertop and add glass doors for display. Another beautiful way to add interest is by using this style for a coffee bar, buffet, or a custom built-in hutch. 

Everyone loves inset cabinets, but not everyone loves the price tag that comes with it. In the case that inset doesn’t fit your budget, there are ways to get the same look for less. Whether it’s RTA, Mercury, Signature, Signature Plus, or Craftsman line, there are many kinds of shaker-style doors to choose from including options with slab drawer fronts. Talk to your CliqStudios designer for guidance on which line will best fit your needs.

Once your door style is selected, ask your designer to add fillers between the base and wall cabinets. Dishwasher panels and refrigerator panels can also be used to create the inset look. Be aware that the full overlay doors will still sit out ahead of any fillers and panels by around ¾ inch, but overall, this will produce a very similar look.

Regular maintenance will be necessary to maintain quality inset cabinets. Any humidity changes in the home will cause expansion and contraction meaning regular adjustments for your doors. Temperature changes can affect the way wood products react so it’s important to adjust over time to keep your kitchen looking beautiful.

With that said, it may be best to avoid using inset cabinets in bathrooms with showers and high humidity. Powder rooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms will be your best bet because you can get the character without having to deal with constant door adjustments.

The difference between inset, partial, and full-overlay cabinets is significant. Anatomy of an inset door means you will be receiving cabinets with exposed face frames and minimal, but still visible, 3/32-inch gaps between the doors and face frames. These are standard qualities of authentic inset cabinets and are part of what makes this style beautiful. If these are qualities you desire in a cabinet, then you will be very happy with the results.

Do you want beautiful cabinets that provide a timeless, lived-in look? Explore CliqStudios inset cabinets now!