Inset cabinetry originated in England and France in the 18th century. It has been surging in the US market. Google inset cabinetry and you will find it described as: refined, luxurious, distinct, classic, sophisticated, seamless, transitional, traditional and even modern. As you can see from the adjectives, inset cabinetry can fit many design objectives. In this blog, we will take a look at the pros and cons of inset cabinetry.
Let’s start by defining inset cabinetry. Inset cabinetry utilizes framed construction. The most poplar framed cabinet style is full overlay, in which the doors and drawers sit on top of the frame. With inset cabinetry, the doors and drawers reside within the frame.
Full Overlay: Doors & drawers set on the frame.
Inset: Doors & drawers set inside the frame.
The adjacent line drawing from Best Online Cabinets does a nice job demonstrating the difference between inset with doors setting inside the frame and overlay with doors sitting on the frame.
Pros of Inset Cabinetry
Inset cabinetry has several advantages:
- Aesthetics – Inset is a clean, custom look with minimal lines. It is an unmatched classic, luxurious look.
- Durability – The flush fit means that cabinet doors are not easily damaged.
- Timeless Look – Inset cabinetry has been around for centuries. The look never falls out of favor. It is a great long-term investment in your home.
- Design Flexibility – Inset cabinetry can be designed for a traditional or more modern look. For example, beading can be added around the doors and drawers to provide a more traditional look. Skinny shaker doors can provide a more transitional look.
Cons of Inset Cabinetry
- Installation Expertise – The tolerances on inset cabinetry are relatively tight. As such, a skilled installation team is required to properly install inset cabinets.
- Cost – While Bishop pricing for inset cabinetry is not much different than full overlay, some manufacturers charge a 15-30% premium.
- Moisture/Swelling – As the tolerances are tight, very humid weather can naturally expand wood making it difficult to open drawers and doors.
- Maintenance – Over the years the drawers and doors may need to be adjusted to realign the reveals around the drawers and doors. However, adjusting is not hard as inset cabinets come with the proper hardware to adjust them if needed.
Bishop Cabinets has been manufacturing inset cabinetry for years. Our inset cabinetry is priced similar to our full overlay cabinets making them affordable for many more homeowners. Our inset cabinetry comes with hardware that is easy to adjust should adjustments be required during the life of the cabinets.
We introduced four new door styles for inset cabinetry in July 2025 to meet the increasing demand and to align with current trends:
White Plains
Ocean City
Spring Hill
Sun Valley
These doors are in addition to the inset doors we already have:
Grand Isle
Long Beach
New Ashford
Old Town
St. Cloud
Kitchen: New Ashford Maple inset door style with Oyster Bay Paint, Island: New Ashford Red Oak inset door style in Light stain (Compliments of Blu Cabinets)
Inset continues to be a solid and growing segment for Bishop. We are dedicating substantial resources to its ongoing improvement. Stay tuned for the future updates.
About Bishop Cabinets
Bishop Cabinets has been manufacturing for over 60 years. Click here to learn more about our capabilities and latest offerings that align with the latest trends in cabinet finishes.
Our Vision Statement
“To create beautiful and functional cabinets through innovation, growth, and a commitment to keep family values at the core of everything we do.”