Kitchen cabinets: All you need to know when buying new or second-hand

Here's your practical guide to the structural smarts of a sustainable kitchen

In-frame units add some structural stability and have a determined cabinet-made look. They are a little more demanding to clean. File picture 

Whether you’re going it alone or adding a cabinet or two in your kitchen with a local carpenter, it’s vital to get the carcass of your unit run right. They are the robust built-in furnishings that hold everything together, and their quality and build will be vital to the success of a new or refurbished kitchen. 

It’s tempting to judge the units just by the tailoring and finish of the doors, but it’s what lies beneath that needs to be rock solid. Your cabinets are the structural support to counters floated over them, appliances terraced into them and even some worktop-standing storage.