Should You Choose Full or Partial Overlay Cabinets?
When designing a new kitchen or renovating an existing one, choosing between full overlay and partial overlay cabinets is an important decision. The type of overlay impacts the aesthetic, storage capacity, ease of access, budget, and more.
Full overlay and partial overlay cabinets differ in the amount of face frame exposed around the cabinet doors and drawers. Partial overlay cabinets have doors and drawer fronts that partially conceal the cabinet's face frame, leaving a portion of the frame visible. Full overlay cabinets have doors that extend past the front of the cabinet, completely concealing the cabinet face frame.
What is a Full Overlay Cabinet?
With full overlay cabinets, the cabinet doors and drawer fronts completely cover the face frame, leaving just a small 1/2 to 1 inch overlay. This creates a very modern, streamlined look, since hardly any of the face frame is visible. The minimal seam between the cabinet door and face frame gives full overlay cabinets a sleek, contemporary aesthetic.
Full overlay cabinet doors extend past the front edges of the cabinet box and conceal most or all of the face frame. This overlay style highlights the cabinet door and minimizes the appearance of the frame and cabinet box. It creates a nearly seamless, built-in look.
The main benefits of full overlay cabinets include:
- A modern, contemporary appearance
- A streamlined look with clean sightlines
- Ability to hide uneven cabinet surfaces and defects in the face frame
- Visually expands smaller kitchens by removing visual breaks at cabinet edges
Full overlay cabinets rose in popularity in the 1940s and became a hallmark of modernist kitchen design. Today, they remain a staple of contemporary and minimalist kitchen aesthetics.
What is a Partial Overlay Cabinet?
Partial overlay cabinets showcase more of the face frame around the doors and drawers. The overlay is typically between 1 to 2 inches, so a good portion of the frame remains visible. This creates a more traditional cabinet style and gives a sense of fine craftsmanship with the detailed woodwork displayed.
With partial overlay cabinets, you'll see functional battens, rails, and stiles that frame the cabinet doors and drawers. This chunkier, framed look has an old-world charm and warmth that works well in many kitchen designs.
Benefits of partial overlay cabinets include:
- A timeless, classic aesthetic
- Visible woodwork craftsmanship
- Usually a more affordable option
- Easier access and no need for hardware
The first partial overlay cabinets emerged in the early 1900s. While full overlay cabinets surged later on, partial overlay styles remain popular for many homeowners seeking a touch of tradition.
Comparing Overlay Styles
When deciding between full and partial overlay cabinets, there are several factors to weigh:
Appearance and Aesthetics
Full overlay cabinets provide a streamlined, built-in look that highlights the cabinet doors and drawers over the cabinet frames. This creates a sleek, contemporary appearance. Partial overlay cabinets have a more traditional style with distinct cabinet frames surrounding each door and drawer.
Price and Budget
Partial overlay cabinets tend to be more affordable than full overlay designs. More of the cabinet box is visible, so high-end materials are not as necessary. Full overlay cabinets come with a wider range of prices, including more premium styles due to intricate construction and hidden elements.
Ease of Installation
Partial overlay cabinets are typically easier to install, while full overlay cabinets require very precise adjustments and alignments for a perfect seamless look. The installation process takes more time, effort, and expertise with full overlay designs.
Durability and Wear
Partial overlay cabinets may show signs of wear around the exposed cabinet frame edges over time. Full overlay cabinets better conceal any scratches and dings. However, full overlay cabinets require high-precision installation for optimal longevity.
Options and Customization
Partial overlay cabinets readily allow you to mix and match door styles and finishes within the same kitchen. Full overlay cabinets achieve a more uniform, consistent look unless you decide to splurge on total customization.
When to Choose Full Overlay
Here are some of the best situations for selecting full overlay cabinets:
- Contemporary, modern kitchen aesthetics
- Minimalist kitchen designs with clean lines
- Small or galley kitchen layouts
- Disguising damaged or uneven cabinet bases
- Kitchens with glossy, solid-colored countertops
- Monochromatic kitchen color schemes
Full overlay cabinetry maximizes space visually, opening up smaller kitchens. The streamlined look blends beautifully with countertops like quartz and solid surfaces. Full overlay cabinets complement other contemporary features like stainless steel, glass tile, and industrial styling.
When to Choose Partial Overlay
Some situations where partial overlay cabinets shine include:
- Traditional kitchen aesthetics
- Farmhouse, cottage, or craftsman kitchens
- Large, open kitchen layouts
- Budget-friendly remodels
- Kitchens with detailed crown molding
- Wood cabinets with visible grains
Partial overlay styles complement kitchens with traditional charming elements like exposed beams, accent lighting, and decorative range hoods. The visible frames also pair well with dramatic crown moldings. And the cost savings allow more room in the budget for high-end countertops and appliances.
Door and Hinge Considerations
The door overlay impacts the hinge requirements. Partial overlay cabinets typically use standard hinges, while full overlay cabinets demand specialty hinges for proper functionality and alignment. Here are key factors to keep in mind:
Hinge Requirements
Partial overlay cabinets can utilize almost any standard hinge. Full overlay cabinets require specialized hinges that mount to the cabinet frame while allowing full door swing. Popular options include European or concealed hinges.
Edge Clearances
Partial overlay cabinet doors have 1-2" edge clearance for easy access. Full overlay doors need precisely adjusted hinges so doors don't hit adjacent cabinets when opened.
Door Alignment
With full overlay hinges, doors must align perfectly to achieve minimal reveals. Partial overlay cabinets are more forgiving of slight misalignments.
European vs Inset Hinges
European hinges allow full access within a cabinet and are commonly used with full overlay designs. Inset hinges provide a decorative look and work for either overlay style.
Getting the Look You Want
While full overlay and partial overlay may seem like distinct styles, you can often mix and match to get the perfect aesthetic:
Mixing Overlay Styles
Many kitchens blend full and partial overlay cabinets for visual interest. Use partial overlay on lower cabinets and full overlay up top. Or mix overlays on different cabinet elevations, like full overlay on wall units and partial on the island.
Using Inserts and Panels
Add custom panels to partial overlay cabinets for a integrated look. For full overlay cabinets, use decorative inserts within the cabinet frame to break up the monotony.
Combining with Glass Doors
Incorporate glass-front upper cabinets or open shelving into full overlay designs to lighten them up. For partial overlay styles, use glass doors just on accent areas.
Adding Molding Details
Partial overlay cabinets can feature extra trim pieces on the exposed frames for a built-up look. Simple slab doors suit full overlay cabinetry to maintain the clean facade.
Ensuring Quality and Durability
To get the most out of your full or partial overlay cabinets, focus on key elements of fit, finish, and construction:
Hinge Installation
Precise hinge mounting ensures proper door clearance and alignment, especially on full overlay designs.
Proper Alignment
Doors and drawers should be fully flush when closed without uneven gaps for maximum longevity.
High-Quality Materials
Durable cabinet box materials and sturdy joinery prevent sagging doors and drawers over time.
Soft-Close Features
Look for soft-close door hinges and drawer glides to prevent slamming and wear.
Costs and Budgeting
One of the biggest factors in choosing an overlay style is the budget. Here are some typical price ranges to expect:
Partial Overlay
Partial overlay cabinets range from $50-150 per linear foot. More affordable than full overlay, but quality and materials drive prices up.
Full Overlay
Full overlay cabinets run anywhere from $100 on the low end to $800+ per linear foot for high-end styles with exotic woods and custom elements.
Installation and Labor
Partial overlay cabinets will generally have lower installation costs than full overlay. But hiring specialists for precision full overlay installation is worth the investment.
Upgrades and Customization
Partial overlay styles readily allow mix-and-match looks. Unique full overlay designs require higher costs for total customization.
Choosing the Right Cabinetmaker
The quality of your overlay cabinets comes down to the skill of your cabinetmaker or woodworker. Seek out experts with:
- Extensive experience constructing both partial and full overlay cabinets
- A reputation for selecting durable, high-grade materials
- Exceptional craftsmanship and carpentry skills
- Strong attention to detail for precision alignments
- Stellar customer service and professionalism
Be sure to inspect their past kitchen cabinet projects to evaluate fit and finish firsthand. Investing in quality overhead cabinets, base cabinets, and specialty storage pays dividends for years to come.
When deciding between full overlay vs partial overlay cabinets, carefully consider your kitchen's style, storage needs, and budget limitations. Full overlay designs provide a streamlined contemporary aesthetic, while partial overlay offers traditional charm and more upfront affordability.
Weigh the pros and cons for your specific kitchen and lifestyle. Look at how overlay style impacts the visual flow, storage solutions, ease of access, and hardware requirements. Take into account long-term durability as well as upfront costs. And partner with an experienced kitchen designer and cabinetmaker to bring your overlay cabinet vision to life.