Modernize Your Kitchen With European Style Cabinets

If you're looking for a sleek contemporary look for your kitchen or bathroom consider frameless or European style cabinets. Frameless cabinets have been popular in Europe for decades but weren't a popular choice among American homeowners until rather recently.

European style cabinets are distinctly different than their traditional America counterparts. Typical American cabinets are called face frame cabinetry. Let's look at the difference and at some of the advantages that contemporary European style frameless cabinetry has to offer.

Face Frame and Frameless, What Does It Mean?

The first step to choosing your kitchen or bathroom cabinetry is to understand your options. There are two common types of cabinet box construction; Frameless and face frame. Most homeowners are familiar with face frame cabinetry. It's easily identified by the spaces between doors and drawers where the frame is visible. These cabinet boxes are typically made of plywood or particle board held together and reinforced by a hardwood frame attached to the front.

Frameless cabinetry, in contrast, is built without the hardwood face frame. Instead, they are constructed as a box with a back and ceiling that are as structurally solid as the sides and floor, which is not the case with a face frame design. Because there is no hardwood frame, the doors on European style cabinets completely cover the box from view and as a result have a contemporary, seamless appearance from door to door.

The Benefits of European Style Cabinetry

When it comes to which cabinet style is superior, there are good points on both sides.To a certain extent, your choice will depend on the design style of your kitchen and your personal taste. However, European style cabinetry is the popular choice among experts because they are typically made from quality materials and offer several distinct advantages.

Frameless Cabinetry is Sturdier

Because the entire box is made of solid plywood or particleboard, frameless cabinetry is stronger. It lasts longer and can handle heavy use better than a cabinet box whose main structural support is the face frame.

European Style Cabinetry is More Accessible

Hardwood frames don't reinforce and they take up space making for a smaller cabinet opening. Because frameless cabinets eliminate the frame, they also provide a couple of inches of extra room.

A Frameless Cabinet Has More Interior Space As Well

Again because the cabinet box serves as the frame for a frameless cabinet it needs fewer braces and reinforcement inside the box. That means more storage space. While it's not a huge difference in terms of storage, when it comes to the kitchen and bathroom, every square inch of space counts.

European Cabinetry is High Style:

Frameless cabinetry offers a sleek line and is the perfect choice for a contemporary kitchen design. Because it has a seamless flowing design that is characteristic of modern design, it is a much more aesthetically pleasing look for a contemporary home that face frame cabinetry.

Because frameless cabinetry offers a more contemporary look, it is available in a wide range of materials and colors opening up a wide range of design options. Laminate is frequently used for European style cabinetry. This isn't the laminate of a few decades ago. Modern manufacturing techniques have made laminate much stronger and much more durable. It's available in a wide choice of colors including bright bold hues that can really make a modern kitchen pop!

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If you'd like to learn more or are considering a kitchen or bathroom project, give the design experts at Forward Design Build a call. Let us show you the choice available and how we can help to create your dream kitchen, complete with the latest modern European style cabinetry.

Forward Design Build is a residential design-build firm in Ann Arbor, Michigan that is known for its commitment to craftsmanship and communication. We are committed to improving our neighbors quality of life with inspired design and creative remodeling. Our homes are highly functional, exquisitely beautiful, and remarkably comfortable. Contact us to speak with an expert about your new home or remodeling project.