We would highly recommend Planet Furniture who have just installed our lovely new kitchen. Ruth was fantastic throughout the design process, listening to our ideas and designing the perfect bespoke kitchen for us. Detailing pros and cons, designing drawers that fit our pans and getting everything right for us. She was very patient as we deliberated on final design – even getting different colour samples made up for us and advising on wider decor/flooring etc. She also worked really well with our builder and visited the site a few times to triple check measurements. In terms of fitting, Bill the fitter was hugely detailed and hard working, arriving on time and working late to get everything finished. Comms were great throughout. While a new kitchen is never cheap, the value for money in using Planet was well worth it – and we found them to be genuinely competitive with some of the high street quotes. All for a bespoke kitchen made in Hitchin. Huge thanks Ruth, Leanne, Bill and team! (January 2025)
In-Frame Shaker Kitchens
Bespoke In-Frame Shaker Kitchens for Period Homes and Country Properties
An in-frame shaker kitchen is a traditional cabinet style where each door and drawer is set within a solid wooden frame fixed to the front of the cabinet carcass. The result is a beautifully boxed in handcrafted look with clear shadow lines around every door, the most refined and structurally robust expression of the shaker tradition. At Planet Furniture we hand make bespoke in-frame shaker kitchens in our Hertfordshire workshop for period properties, country homes and contemporary builds alike.
This classic style blends traditional craftsmanship with enduring elegance. A separate frame is attached to the front of each cabinet, providing extra structural support around every door and drawer so the cabinetry stays true for decades.
The in-frame design is the most sophisticated and time intensive shaker approach. Workmanship is significantly greater than a lay-on equivalent, which is reflected in both the finished look and the price. It is the style most associated with high end bespoke kitchens.
Beaded detail, cockbead mouldings, raised and fielded panels, decorative cornicing and bespoke moulding profiles can all be specified to suit your home. Hand-painted finishes are colour-matched to Farrow & Ball, Little Greene, Paint & Paper Library or any other paint of your choice. Visit our Hitchin showroom by appointment to see in-frame samples and detailing options in person.
In-frame shaker kitchens at a glance:
- Traditional construction with each door set into a solid frame
- Hand-painted in our Hertfordshire workshop
- Ideal for period properties, country homes and high end new builds
- Highly customisable: beaded, cockbead, panel and moulding details
- Finished in Farrow & Ball, Little Greene or any colour match
- Designed to last decades with proper care
Why Choose an In-Frame Shaker Kitchen?
In-frame shaker kitchens offer a refined alternative to lay-on styles, combining timeless aesthetics with superior durability. Each door and drawer is neatly housed within a solid frame, providing extra structural support that enhances longevity, ideal for busy family homes or those seeking a long-term investment.
Highly customisable to suit individual tastes, in-frame shaker kitchens can be tailored with a variety of bespoke options, from classic beaded detailing to unique mouldings, panel profiles and decorative flourishes. This level of craftsmanship adds depth and character and reflects the true artistry of traditional kitchen design.
We design and install bespoke in-frame shaker kitchens for homes across Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, London, Bedfordshire and the wider Home Counties. If the in-frame look feels heavier than you want, our lay-on shaker range gives the same hand-painted shaker silhouette in a simpler, more cost effective form, and our handleless kitchens remove external hardware entirely for a more minimal aesthetic.
In-Frame vs Lay-On Shaker at a Glance
Both styles share the shaker silhouette, but the way the door meets the cabinet changes the whole feel and the budget.
| Feature | In-Frame Shaker | Lay-On Shaker |
|---|---|---|
| Door fitting | Set within a solid front frame | Sits directly on the cabinet front |
| Shadow lines | Pronounced, deep frame revealed | Crisp narrow gaps between doors |
| Construction time | Longer, more joinery | Faster, simpler joinery |
| Typical investment | Higher | More cost effective |
| Best for | Period homes, country properties, high end builds | Modern homes, open-plan spaces, transitional interiors |
| Durability | Excellent, frame adds structural support | Excellent with quality joinery |
In-Frame Detailing Options
Most of the character in an in-frame kitchen comes from the joinery details. These are the options we specify most often. For a feel of how these come together in real projects, see our Tempsford cockbead shaker and Hinxworth in-frame shaker case studies.
| Detail | Description | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Plain frame | Simple flat frame around each door | Quiet, modern in-frame look |
| Beaded frame | Subtle moulding around the inner edge of the frame | Traditional country homes |
| Cockbead | Decorative half round bead set into the frame | Period properties and listed houses |
| Raised and fielded panels | Panelled centre with stepped border | Classic, formal kitchens |
| Decorative cornicing | Moulded crown above wall cabinets | Tall ceilings and traditional schemes |
| Bullnose plinth | Rounded plinth detail at the floor line | Country and farmhouse styles |
In-Frame Kitchen Articles
In-Frame Shaker Kitchens: Frequently Asked Questions
An in-frame shaker kitchen is a traditional cabinet style where each door and drawer is set within a solid wooden frame. This frame is fixed to the front of the cabinet carcass, creating a beautifully boxed in, handcrafted appearance. The result is a timeless, elegant look that offers both visual appeal and enhanced durability.
An in-frame shaker has each door set within a solid front frame, giving deep shadow lines and a more traditional look. A lay-on shaker has the doors mounted directly onto the cabinet front, with only narrow gaps between them. In-frame is more time consuming to build and generally more expensive; lay-on is simpler and more cost effective.
In-frame kitchens are known for their strength, longevity and classic styling. The fixed frame provides extra structural support, so doors and drawers are less likely to warp or sag over time. They are also highly customisable, with options for bespoke paint colours, handles, trims and interior storage solutions, ideal for those seeking a truly tailored kitchen.
Yes, typically. In-frame kitchens involve more detailed craftsmanship and longer production times compared to lay-on or mass produced kitchens. While they do come at a higher price point, they are considered a worthwhile investment thanks to their durability, longevity and timeless design appeal.
With proper care, an in-frame kitchen can last decades. The construction style makes it highly durable, and because they are usually made from solid wood and high quality materials, they are built to stand the test of time, both structurally and stylistically.
Beaded detailing refers to a subtle moulding or trim around the edge of a cabinet door or frame. It is often used in traditional in-frame kitchens to add character and depth to the design. This kind of detail is popular in country and period style homes, but it can be tailored to suit more contemporary tastes too.
Yes. We offer a wide selection of hand-painted finishes and bespoke colour-matching services. Whether you want a classic heritage tone or something bold and modern, your in-frame shaker kitchen can be finished in any colour you like. Paint is from our trusted partners such as Farrow & Ball and Little Greene, and we can also colour-match to any RAL, BS or NCS reference.
Yes. Many clients choose to blend the traditional in-frame look with modern conveniences like handleless cabinetry, integrated appliances, LED lighting and contemporary hardware. The result is a timeless kitchen that fits beautifully into both classic and modern homes.
We design and install bespoke in-frame shaker kitchens across Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, London, Bedfordshire and the wider Home Counties, working from our Hitchin workshop and showroom.
All of our in-frame shaker kitchens are handmade here in Hertfordshire, using locally sourced materials where possible. Every kitchen is built to order in our own workshop by skilled craftsmen, ensuring the highest standards of quality, finish and attention to detail.
Have Another Question?
Let us know if you need further help and didn’t find an answer to your specific question.
Our Guarantee
Our exceptional reputation is something we are incredibly proud of. We are confident in the superb quality of the furniture we produce, and you can be confident in the standards we set are ourselves in every aspect is incredibly high.
From our expert designers to our superb craftsmen and our highly experienced fitters to our talented hand painters, we are proud to say are exclusive to Planet Furniture, therefore no aspect of our work is sub-contacted out – This allows us to maintain our high standards throughout the entire process of your project.
What Do Our Client’s say about their projects?
We’re rated 5 stars on Houzz.co.uk & Google Maps
Talisa was helpful from the outset and we knew we wanted to go with Planet Furniture after meeting her and her lovely dog, Mabel. Nothing was a problem or too difficult throughout the entire process from design to completion and we are so happy with our beautiful finished kitchen and utility room. Planet Furniture also helped us with a built in upholstered bench and dining table in our dining area, a unit for our Games Room, a built in wardrobe for our loft bedroom and units in our hallway to hang coats and put shoes. Their fitter Craig was so careful and precise with his carpentry and we couldn’t be happier with the finished result. Thanks to you all for your hard work and attention to detail, it has really paid off and all our friends and family enjoyed sharing the new space with us over Christmas and New Year. We would highly recommend Talisa, Craig and Planet Furniture to anyone interested in a high quality and beautifully crafted kitchen – they know what they are doing! (January 2025)
Working with Planet Furniture on a recent client project was an absolute pleasure. Their team demonstrated exceptional attention to detail and professionalism, ensuring that the kitchen design aligned seamlessly with my vision and met my client’s needs perfectly. The collaboration between us felt effortless—they were responsive, knowledgeable, and proactive in finding solutions to achieve the best results. From the initial planning stages to the final installation, the entire process was smooth and enjoyable. Their craftsmanship and quality speak for themselves, but what truly stood out was their commitment to ensuring that, together, my client received not just a stunning kitchen, but one that functioned beautifully and felt tailored to their lifestyle. I would highly recommend Planet Furniture to anyone looking for a company that values collaboration and delivers exceptional kitchens with a high level of care and expertise. (December 2024)
We are delighted with our new kitchen! Ruth is a very talented designer and really took our requirements into account. The fitters were professional and took the time to make sure that all the details were perfect. The whole experience was remarkably straightforward considering the number of moving parts that were being co-ordinated. This is the second time that we have used Planet for a kitchen renovation, and on both occasions they have given us exactly what we wanted. (December 2024)
Our kitchen was long overdue a refresh but I was daunted by the possible scale of the project. We tried a few of the obvious names in the kitchen market but after failed appointments and unsatisfactory service, we decided to look at the higher end of the market. The difference in the quality and service from Planet Furniture was instantly clear. Talisa came up with some inspiring designs, different to what we might have imagined and we went with one of those. She guided us through all the choices, including sourcing some appliances to go alongside our own purchases. The fitting of the kitchen from start to finish was around 7 weeks but that included 2 weeks of remedial work in the room first. The fitters were tidy, largely prompt and the installed kitchen looks fabulous. My husband loves the quality feel of it and I love the layout – there is always a risk designing something on paper that might not work in reality but this one does. Admittedly not the cheapest option out there, but this room is the heart of our house and the kitchen is built to last. It can be repainted when you fancy a change and the flexibility on colour choice is infinite. Thank you PF. (December 2024)
Amazing work from start to finish. Detailed designs that were clearly explained and well thought out. Sensible and honest advice. Helpful service throughout. Excellent and skilled fitters. We are so pleased with our kitchen and would recommend Planet Furniture to anyone. I would particularly like to highlight the customer service which has been exemplary. Thank you!
During September, Planet Furniture refurbished our kitchen and utility room. They installed the original kitchen and utility room in March 2008 and they have worked so well for us and remain in such good condition that we decided to refurbish rather than replace. All of the doors, drawer fronts and decor panels were repainted a new colour, handles replaced and updated, door hinges updated, splash back for the hob replaced, a new mixer tap fitted and a new bin and recycling unit installed. From start to finish the service was very professional and the work well planned, executed and managed. The Planet Team arrived when they said they would; did what was planned and were a pleasure to have in our home. They were also very careful to ensure COVID restrictions were adhered to to protect us and themselves. We are extremely happy with the outcome and would not hesitate to work with Planet Furniture in the future.
The team at PF were great to work with, they guided us through the entire process, listening to our ideas and sharing their experience. The craftsmanship was second to none and we are delighted with our new kitchen. Thanks team PF.
Planet Furniture were simply superb from start to finish. High quality design and high quality furniture. Every aspect from start to finish was excellent. The people were a joy to work with and they genuinely took care at every stage to ensure we received our dream kitchen. I highly recommend them.
We were recommended by friends to check out this company when we decided to have a new kitchen. After a visit to their showroom and a chat with one of their design staff, Andy, we decided to go ahead and have all the plans drawn up and costed, all without obligation. We were helped all the way through the design phase including choosing colour, style, lighting, fixtures and fittings etc, and after a couple of onsite inspections, suggestions were made and we found we could all work together and the final design left us very impressed. We chose to go ahead with their recommended professionals for all the building, electrical, plumbing and plastering required to prepare the room for the new kitchen. All phases of the work happened on time, on budget with all professionals arriving on the advised day and time and all work completed by competent friendly guys all willing to talk, listen and answer questions as they proceeded. By the time all the “ground work” was completed it was time for our new kitchen to arrive and be installed. This took approximately 6/7 days and as we watched our kitchen take shape we could not fail to be impressed with the quality of the construction of each unit and the care taken in fitting it. The whole project was topped off by the hand painting/finishing of all the units. leaving us with our dream kitchen. Overall, it was expensive and there are cheaper options out there but probably not of this quality. Five Star all the way.