Frameless cabs have better accessibility, and in general more space, especially in drawers. I say "in general" because available space differs among cabinet lines. Take your tape measure with you when you look and measure the space in the drawers of different brands you are considering. Keep in mind, there are good quality and bad quality of both framed and frameless. Don't let anyone tell you that fameless are inherently bad (especially someone who doesn't sell frameless). My old kitchen (which I tore out) had frameless cabs, not the highest end either, and they lasted about 25+ years (based on the style & color which is what was in style in the late 70s/early 80s). Probably could have lasted longer, except they were awful style and I hated the layout. Whichever one you go with, make sure your installer is experienced. If the installer grumbles about frameless being hard to install, get someone else. No one has perfectly straight walls, yet frameless cabs are installed properly every day. Styles of frameless cabinets are not exclusively (or even mostly) contemporary. Contemporary cabs are usually frameless, but the opposite is not true. I have traditional style doors in frameless, and it doesn't look a bit contemporary. In either framed or frameless, beware the center stile. I've seen it in both kinds, and it severely limits access. There is a width limit over which a center stile is needed, something like 33 or 36 inches, but smaller than that, it is not needed and IMHO unacceptable. Do get lots of quotes for comparison purposes. I shopped around with a particular version of my layout so that I could compare prices. My layout changed over time but using the same layout at different places gave me a good feel for their pricing. Don't rule out local custom builders. I thought they would be out of my price range but they came in at all price ranges, just as the stock companies did. I compiled a list of framed & frameless manufacturers back when I was looking, so that I could see which ones were available in my area. This list is now over four years old so it probably could use some updating but you can check the websites for information on manufacturers. Good luck in your search! Here is a link that might be useful: framed & frameless mfgs

A lot of framed cabinetry now is done with full overlay doors which mimics the look of frameless. In some respects this is more contemporary look though depending on door style and other elements full overlay framed and frameless can look very traditional. I think more traditional framed cabinetry where the face frame has some reveal is very charming in a cottage or farmhouse influenced kitchen. Some find it very dated.

Here's a link to my list (now about 6 years old!) of framed and frameless manufacturers and a quick guide on how to tell one from the other. I show shrock as framed. But keep in mind the list is aging and things may have changed. Advantage of frameless: accessibility in cabinets, space in drawers. Advantage of framed: looks - some people prefer the frame showing between the doors. In either case, beware the center stile. I've seen it in both framed and frameless. There shouldn't be one unless the cabinet is over a certain width. If there is, not only is it a huge pain, but it makes me wonder why it's needed -- IOW the cabinets aren't built well or it WOULDN'T be needed. When you are shopping, don't let someone, especialy someone who sells framed only, tell you that frameless are bad. There are good framed and bad framed, good frameless and bad frameless. And (the most important lesson I learned regarding frameless on this forum), just like framed, frameless comes in all price ranges. And a final note, there are two other kinds of cabinets: Inset - which inplies framed since the door sits inside the frame Built-in continuous - My sister has these. The cabinets are actually one very long cabinet instead of individual boxes. This necessitates frames to accomodate the doors, but the limits imposed by box walls don't exist. I love that on her uppers but would still want drawers on my lowers. Anyway, something to consider if you're doing a custom job by a local carpenter. Here is a link that might be useful: framed and frameless

Pretty much what Hollysprings said... Deedles- to clarify. Frames provide the structure for framed cabinets which allows the sides to be thinner and the connection of the box to the frame less robust. They don't do much to support the counter since all loads go to the floor and the frames don't. Frameless cabinets structure comes from the box. They are stiffer because of the basic construction techniques combined with typically thicker sides. A frameless cabinet does function more as a unit than a framed. Extremely difficult to twist for instance. In both cases the counter is first supported by the wall where cabinets are attached at the back, secondly by the sides which go to the floor. At the front: the frame or in the case of frameless the struts only work against the bending moment of the stone. Yes there a bending moment which is why overhang limits exist and why we often have rodding installed at sinks and dishwashers. Actually the strut on frameless cabinet offers little support across the opening at the front. I've on occasion specked a cabinet here and there with a 1" rail, usually an undercounter oven, have rarely had to have it rodded- up to granite guy. The biggest reason 1-1/2" wide rails and stiles are used is to combat deformation- twist, warp, cup. Using: better seasoning, 1/2" (or even 3/4" but not needed) sides, stronger joinery of box to frame (important) , and better frame construction (dowels or mortise and tenon) can solve most of that; allowing for narrower rails and stiles.