Six months ago I didn’t know the difference between a lay-on and in-frame kitchen. I’m now on a journey to deepen my knowledge and share what I learn along the way. Whether you prefer the classic in-frame kitchen or sleek lay-on design, I’ll be pulling out key information to help homeowners and property developers make informed choices.
In the KH Kitchens showroom, we have in-frame and lay-on displays. I’ve reviewed them carefully to determine the key differences.
First of all, what do we mean by ‘in-frame’ and ‘lay-on’ kitchens?
In-frame kitchens are distinguished by a solid wood frame, attached to the front of the cabinet carcass. The cabinet doors or drawers fit perfectly flush inside the frame. The doors are traditionally fixed with exposed, decorative brass or stainless steel butt hinges, which make an extremely strong and ridged fixture.
Right: Humphrey Munson, In-Frame with exposed butt hinges www.humphreymunson.co.uk
Lay-on doors and drawers are attached directly on to the front edges of the carcass. The doors are usually fastened to the cabinet with an adjustable, concealed hinge – so called because you can’t see the hinge when the door is closed. The benefit of this hinge is that it enables soft closing and easy adjustment.
Right: Sinc Kitchens, Lay-on in Light Oak and Ivory
To put it simply, the fundamental differences between the two are the frame on the cabinet, and the type of hinges used.
In-Frame
If you enter ‘in-frame kitchens’ into an internet search engine, you’ll see the following words appear frequently:
Craftmanship, Classic Design, Solid Timber, Robust, Timeless, Detailed and Traditional.
The words exude period charm, evoking a sense of heritage with expert carpentry and vintage features. An aesthetic that especially complements properties with classic, historical features and architectural qualities such as solid wood framework.
There are a wide range of traditional bespoke in-frame kitchens available through British retailers. At the high end of the market, you’ll find Humphrey Munson and Kitchens by Holloways, where the starting price of a kitchen is from £70,000 excluding appliances and installation. These premium brands deliver some of the finest hand-crafted kitchens.
For a mid-range bespoke kitchen with prices starting from £25,000 excluding appliances and installation, brands such as Kitchen MakersTM by Burbidge, offer the in-frame kitchen, with some fresh approaches that maintain the levels of craftsmanship and robust, solid timber designs.
Kitchen MakersTM offer an alternative to the traditional butt hinges visible on in-frame kitchens. Instead they employ specialised concealed hinges by Blum.
This enables seamless door opening within the frame, allowing for the luxury soft close. This gives a slightly more elegant, contemporary look.
At the KH Kitchens showroom, you can see the Kitchen MakersTM – Somerton in ‘Baltic Green’, featuring concealed hinges (pictured – right) and in ‘Painted Bone’.
For a more affordable in-frame kitchen, KH Kitchens offers a range that brings both style and substance with its detailed solid ash in-frame design. It offers a superb quality painted finish with visible woodgrain, a choice of 33 paint colours and a starting price from £10,000 excluding appliances and installation (below: in Porcelain and Slate Blue). You can also choose to incorporate decorative dummy hinges into the design, giving the effect of butt hinges.
A traditional in-frame kitchen can be a significant financial undertaking, given the labour-intensive process, superior materials, and expert craftsmanship involved in its creation. Reviewing your budget carefully and being comfortable with this investment before proceeding is essential.
Lay-on
If you enter ‘lay-on kitchens’ into an internet search engine, these words are likely to be associated with this style:
Minimalist, Spacious, Simplicity, Versatility, Affordability and Sleek
The words suggest a more contemporary feel, leaning more towards classic and modern designs. The absence of a visible frame around the doors or drawers accentuates a feeling of spaciousness. This makes lay-on kitchens a popular choice, and a flexible aesthetic that works in both modern and period properties.
Lay-on kitchens are available in a variety of materials to suit all budgets, including solid wood, MDF and MFC (Melamine Faced Chipboard) and Laminate (also known as foil wrapped).
The beauty of a lay-on kitchen lies in its versatility. Whether you prefer the classic look of the shaker door or the modern lines of a handleless contemporary style, the lay-on kitchen offers a canvas for both, blending tradition with modern qualities. There are many affordable lay-on ranges available from national and independent retailers. We’ve all heard of the retail giants, Wren, Wickes and Magnet. However you’ll often find independent retailers offer unique value when it comes to providing solutions tailored to individual needs. They will also quote on all aspects of installation, eliminating the hidden costs often found with national retailers.
At the KH Kitchens showroom, you’ll also find lay-on styles to suit most homeowner budgets. A quick visit to our website will not only show you a gallery of images of the numerous ranges available, but examples of recent customers’ kitchen installations.
In Summary
All things considered, both in-frame and lay-on kitchens are great options that offer unique design features and styles. Both styles have their own pros and cons, so your decision will ultimately come down to the factors below:
- Personal preference – Ultimately, it’s your call. Which style catches your eye and fits with the aesthetic you’re looking for?
- Budget – In-frame kitchens can cost up to 50% more than lay-on kitchens due to the expert craftsmanship, additional labour and materials required for the frame mechanism.
- Space – Owing to the doors and drawers sitting within a frame, this can obstruct the movement of larger items.
If on the other hand, you like the look of the in-frame kitchen, but are discouraged by the cost and space issues, why not consider an in-frame effect kitchen? Typically only 15-20% more in price than a lay-on kitchen, and just as user-friendly.
Some examples of timber painted in-frame effect kitchens are pictured below – all available in 33 colours. Contact us to find out more.
