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In-frame kitchen doors. Visible or invisible hinges?

9 years ago

In the UK most in-frame cabinet doors have visible hinges. I'm not sure I like that look and prefer invisible hinges which are more typically used on European style full face doors. I just think it's a cleaner finish. Kitchen companies are looking at me as if I've gone mad! Is it me? Which do you prefer?

Visible hinge

Invisible hinge

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PRO

ASVInteriors

9 years ago

Definitely hidden

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Comments (23)

mefor
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Hahaha, I was going to say definitely visible, lol.
I guess it's a question of how vintage you want it. I wanted mine to look quite vintage, so I chose visible oil rubbed bronze steeple tops. Which match the finish on my pendants and faucet. But if you want the kitchen to be more up to date and clean lined and streamlined, then hidden would be good. :)
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Carolina
9 years ago
Invisible!!!!! :-)
Luciana
9 years ago
Hidden for me too!
mefor
9 years ago
I voted for hidden for your kitchen, since it's more your style :)
PRO
OnePlan
9 years ago
if you were doing up an old property I'd say visible as would be more in keeping - however as your home is a new build I think hidden might be better ! let me know if you want to see CAD images with ( as currently drawn without I think !)
Victoria
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks for your thoughts so far, it does seem like I'm not alone in having a preference for the euro hinge. Apparently it's cheaper too!
feeny
9 years ago
I prefer invisible. It's just less cluttered.
Meet Me at the Wrecking Ball
9 years ago
Oh my god is that your kitchen? LUCKY! Hinges visible look just fine:)
chloebud
9 years ago
Hidden...definitely.
pitbulls
9 years ago
The visible hinges gives it a more rustic look
Victoria
Original Author
9 years ago
Ha! No, not my kitchen, something I'm trying to emulate :-)
Thanks for all the votes so far.
unwantedadvice
9 years ago
Invisible.
Danielle Johnson
7 years ago
I'm a designer and concealed is such a cleaner look. Visible hinges are little dust collectors that are a pain to clean! Plus I think they take away from the cabinets.
PRO
Evolve Construction and Maintenance
7 years ago
hidden hinges work so much better, creating cleaner lines in the kitchen.
PRO
SoKipling
7 years ago
Invisible hinges will give a more contemporary look and visible ones give a more traditional look. Invisible hinges will have to be readjusted regularly contrary to visible ones.
PRO
Room by Room (Midlands) Ltd
7 years ago
Both types of hinge have their place. To expand on SoKipling and OnePlan it really depends on the look you are trying to create. Invisible hinges move the look even more towards the contemporary whilst visible hinges enhance the traditional/contemporary twist. If your torn we would recommend taking inspiration from the rest of your home to create a look in keeping with its surroundings. All the best.
PRO
Bathroom solutions
7 years ago
Something I have been interested in for a while
Victoria
Original Author
7 years ago
Ok, so my kitchen has now been in a while and I went with hidden hinges.
PRO
CHT Joinery
7 years ago
Both can work
PRO
Tc Carpentry and Joinery ltd
7 years ago
the problem with visible hinges it means doors have to be solid wood as with the frames ,so cost goes through the roof ,also not self closing ,mdf doors dont work with butt ( visible) hinges.Unless you really like butt hinges avoid them ,your bank balance will be healthier for it
PRO
CHT Joinery
7 years ago
I used the invisible euro style on my oak cupboards. you just need the correct ones to allow for the throw of the door so it doesn't bind. ironmongery direct sell them at a very reasonable price with soft close option
MrRew
4 years ago
As far as I understand, butt hinges are not adjustable in the same way concealed hinges are and require more attention to detail from fitter for an exacting finish. This means that as your doors warp/drop one can't simply readjust the hinges to account for this with butt hinges. Personally, I prefer the look of butt hinges on in-frame kitchens but would generally opt for concealed myself for this reason.

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