Understanding Cabinet Construction: Frameless, Inset, and Everything In Between
- LKS Team
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Why Cabinet Construction Matters in Luxury Design
Cabinetry is the architectural backbone of every kitchen — visually, functionally, structurally.It dictates the overall aesthetic, longevity, storage performance, and the feel of daily use far more than any single material or appliance.
Luxury cabinetry isn’t just built; it’s engineered.At LKS, we work with LEICHT, Pinnacle, and Craft-Maid, three of the country’s leading manufacturers in frameless, inset, and hybrid construction.These partnerships allow us to tailor the cabinetry system to the design vision, the home’s architecture, and the client’s lifestyle — not the other way around.
“Cabinet construction defines the kitchen long before color or hardware ever enter the conversation.”
Frameless Cabinetry — Clean, Modern, and Hyper-Efficient
What It Is:
A European-inspired system where the door attaches directly to the cabinet box itself. No face frame, no overlay complications — just crisp engineering and clean reveals.
Why Clients Love It
Sleek, architectural aesthetic
Maximum interior storage space
Consistent, precision reveals
Ideal for panel-ready refrigeration
Seamless with LEICHT’s engineering and modern finishes
Best For
Warm modern, contemporary, Scandinavian, minimalist, and architecturally driven homes.
Frameless cabinetry is also a designer go-to in Michigan lake homes, where durable finishes and tight reveals help balance sunlight, humidity, and seasonal temperature shifts. Many LEICHT kitchens have been enjoyed since Lifestyle's founder, Susan Bloss CKD started designing with the German-engineered brand in the late 1980's. Their contemporary and classic design has withstood the test of time. Today, frameless cabientry is designed into traditional homes as well. Tailored for function and storage, flexibility of the frameless cabinetry expands beyond modern design.
Inset Cabinetry — Classic, Craftsmanship-Driven, and Timeless
What It Is
The most furniture-like form of cabinetry: the doors sit perfectly inside a face frame, revealing intentional shadow lines and showcasing craftsmanship.
Why Clients Love It
Historic charm and artisanal detail
Ideal for traditional, transitional, and European-inspired interiors
Gorgeous furniture styling for islands & hutches
Shines in Craft-Maid and Pinnacle custom programs.
Best For
Classic homes, new builds with character, and high-end projects seeking heritage-level detail.
Inset is especially beautiful in Michigan’s historic properties and ageless classics that require an extra detail — Heritage Hill, East Grand Rapids, and waterfront homes where timeless character is part of the architectural story.
Hybrid Approaches — A Designer Favorite
Some of the most compelling kitchens blend systems intentionally.A hybrid construction lets you tailor the functionality of each zone without sacrificing the overall aesthetic.
Examples We Love
Frameless perimeter cabinetry + inset island
Inset wall & tall cabinets for presence + frameless bases for maximum storage
Frameless scullery + inset main kitchen
Combinining styles successfully requires the designer to understand balance of the design, best practices for the client and extensive knowledge of cabinetry build. Successful execution often requires specialty sized panels or end-caps and moulding to create a cohesive design. This approach maximizes flexibility, elevates design, and meets clients exactly where lifestyle and architecture intersect.
Material Selection & Cabinet Craftsmanship
Understanding materials is foundational to client education — and to cabinetry that lasts for decades.
Why It Matters
Different base materials and finish materials influence:
Lifespan
Movement through seasons
Finish durability
Texture and graining aesthetic
Overall cost
Long-term performance
What We Teach Our Clients
Graining- Rift-cut vs. plain sawn — pattern and consisitency
Solid wood vs. veneer — stability, precision, and cost differences
Painted vs. stained finishes — how they age, move, and respond to climate
Natural wood-movement and color over time — an expected characteristic, not a flaw
Other Materials- laminate, metal, or applied concrete and stone- how our cabinetry uses these materials, performance and expectations.
Finish technology — why premium brands outperform mass-market cabinetry
This transparency makes the selection process not just more informed, but far more rewarding for clients.
Cabinetry for Michigan Homes
Michigan’s four-season climate introduces unique demands on cabinetry.
Your LKS kitchen design team takes all of these factors into account based on the home's location and occupancy:
Humidity swings
Cold, dry winters
Lakefront moisture
Temperature fluctuations in cottages and second homes
Paired with proper installation and climate-aware planning, these systems maintain stability and longevity year after year.
Want to See These Styles in Person?
Visit the LKS showroom or schedule a design consultation.Explore inset, frameless, and hybrid styles up close, compare material options, and discover which cabinetry construction best supports your lifestyle.
ABOUT LKS
Lifestyle Kitchen Studio is a nationally recognized, family-owned kitchen and bath design studio based in Grand Rapids, Michigan.We specialize in tailored cabinetry, luxury appliance integration, and client-driven design solutions. Our team blends CKBD expertise with warm, living luxury — crafting kitchens that are as intuitive as they are beautiful.
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