Decorative end panels - flush w/ frame or door?

16 years ago

We've run into a little problem with the installation of our cabinets and I'm hoping someone can help me resolve it!

The problem has to do with the decorative end panels that are applied to upper and lower cabinets at the ends of runs. Some of our panels are sized so that they are flush with the door or drawer front when installed and others are smaller and sit flush with the frame of the cabinet (or actually the cabinet box, since our cabinets are frameless).

These are Kitchencraft cabinets, which we've had before, and our only panels at the last house were on the side of a tall pantry cabinet and they were flush with the frame. I ordered these from Buycabinets.com and although I specified all the cabinets I needed to order, I left it up to Keith to add the proper sized end panels. Before I call him, I just wanted to find out if there's a right or a wrong way or if it's just personal preference. I looked through Finished Kitchens but I couldn't see enough detail to tell. I'm sure though, that they should be consistent throughout the kitchen - either one way or the other - and currently mine are not. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

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Comments (4)

alku05
16 years ago
I also have Kitchencraft cabinets, and I know exactly what you mean. The panels on my island are sized so that they are flush with the doors, and the panels on my fridge cabinet are sized to be flush with the cabinet.

Why did we do it this way? Because in my opinion, the flush with the door size looks best because it gives a more "finished" looking corner. However, with the fridge cabinet, we chose flush with the cabinet so that the panels would be the same size as the real doors on the other side of the fridge.

Flush with the cabinet panels to match the doors on the other side:

Flush with the doors to give the island more finished looking corners:
sweeby
16 years ago
I'm aware of three different types of finished ends:

1) - A flat finished side (no fancy profile - just a veneer skin)
2) - A flat finished side plus a door panel (looks just like a door and sticks out as far as a door would)
3) - A finished cabinet side with a panel profile that's similar to a door panel (looks similar to a door, but does not stick out)

Normally, you'd specify whether you want #1 or #2; only a few cabinet lines do #3 and it's usually more expensive. There's no 'right' or 'wrong' unless it's not as specified.
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Designov, I visited your post regarding your gorgeous new kitchen and due to the recessed doors that I love since I have been wanting the cabinets that you bought and the crown molding and the overall look, I felt it looked beautiful just the way it was with the matching end panels that were just not door style panels. I felt it looked pretty and finished and gorgeous. Thanks for sharing.
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@User noted that Limited option lines like Ikea only have 1 option. And you have to use it, because the sides are not finished otherwise. IKEA cover panels are measured to be flush with doors but are always solid panels so they can be cut down. Most limited option lines will support either configuration in some way. So IKEA panels could be installed in either configuration the OP is considering. My 2 cents... The panelized (cope and stick) doors that the OP is showing have to be ordered at least 3/4" (7/8" is probably preferred) wider to be used as cover panels. You can't simply move them forward without leaving a gap in the back and any attempt to fill that gap (with wood of course) will result in a stile appearing 3/4" thicker. I do prefer cover panels pulled forward to align flush with doors, but I don't think it looks good unless everything is pulled forward flush with the doors. This means any molding or crown on top needs to pull brought flush as does any type of bottom or light rail. It can also cause filler pieces to look off a bit, as you are basically creating an inset framing effect for your cabinets and if you have several fillers they can appear noticeably recessed.
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ruddycat
Original Author
16 years ago
alku05 - Thanks for the pictures! I can see why you needed to do it "both ways" and it looks fine. And by the way - your floors are beautiful!

sweeby - We definitely are dealing with #2 (an applied door panel) but the question is how it should line up with the door or drawer that it meets on the front side of the cabinet. Some of ours are flush with the door so that the panel and the door form a perfect 90 degree angle where they meet while others stop at the edge of the cabinet. I wish I could take a picture but we've stopped installing them for now until we figure out if we need to order something different so that they're all the same.

If anyone else has any pictures to share - that would be great!
User
16 years ago
This was a big issue for me and I was very specific. If you have full overlay doors or frameless cabinets then to my eye the panels should be flush with the doors. If you have framed cabinets with partial overlay doors then they should be flush with the box.

Another issue which you haven't asked about is how to install the crown molding. I believe alku did the same thing I did - installed a flat piece in the same plane as the door (flush with the top of the door) and then attach the crown moulding to that.

Some people don't care about either issue and are happy with their kitchens.

Decorative end panels - flush w/ frame or door?

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alku05

sweeby

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Decorative end panels - flush w/ frame or door?

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alku05

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