How to Choose the Right Finish for New Kitchen Cabinets
What finish to use on kitchen cabinets? Flat matt or shiny gloss? We detail how to work out the best look for you
Anne Ellard
4 February 2023
Houzz Australia Contributor. Kitchen designer at Kitchens by Kathie in Brisbane, Australia. I strongly believe that above all else, the most important thing when designing a kitchen is creating something that the client loves!
Houzz Australia Contributor. Kitchen designer at Kitchens by Kathie in Brisbane,... More
What do you need to consider when choosing kitchen cabinets for a new kitchen? Colour, size, style and handle types, right? But what about what finish to use on kitchen cabinets? No doubt, your kitchen designer will ask you whether you prefer matt or gloss, but don’t be half-hearted in your reply. The cabinet finish you choose can create a dramatically different look regardless of the material the cabinets are made from.
This guide to choosing the right finish for your kitchen cabinets will explain what’s available, the advantages and disadvantages of each, as well as some tips to ensure that the look of each finish will work best in your new kitchen.
This guide to choosing the right finish for your kitchen cabinets will explain what’s available, the advantages and disadvantages of each, as well as some tips to ensure that the look of each finish will work best in your new kitchen.
What kitchen finish materials should I choose?
Whether you have chosen solid wood doors, MD, particle board or ply for your kitchen cabinets, there are a variety of finishes that you can use to achieve the look and functionality you want. For example, solid timber doors can be simply sealed with a coating of oil, or for a more durable finish can be painted with clear or coloured polyurethane. It depends on your preference.
Manufactured boards, such as MDF and particle board, can be painted with kitchen-specific paints from any of the big brands, or can be coated in two-pack polyurethane. You can even finish such doors off with a layer of melamine, laminate, wood veneer or a vinyl wrap, depending on the look you’re going for.
But no matter what material or coating you decide on, you still have a choice of whether to go with a gloss, matt or semi-gloss finish for the end product. Here are some advantages and disadvantages for each option.
Whether you have chosen solid wood doors, MD, particle board or ply for your kitchen cabinets, there are a variety of finishes that you can use to achieve the look and functionality you want. For example, solid timber doors can be simply sealed with a coating of oil, or for a more durable finish can be painted with clear or coloured polyurethane. It depends on your preference.
Manufactured boards, such as MDF and particle board, can be painted with kitchen-specific paints from any of the big brands, or can be coated in two-pack polyurethane. You can even finish such doors off with a layer of melamine, laminate, wood veneer or a vinyl wrap, depending on the look you’re going for.
But no matter what material or coating you decide on, you still have a choice of whether to go with a gloss, matt or semi-gloss finish for the end product. Here are some advantages and disadvantages for each option.
High Gloss
What is a high-gloss finish?
High gloss is by far the most requested finish among my clients, and it seems as popular now as it was when it was last trending in the 1970s. It is more suited to a contemporary-style kitchen with flat cabinet fronts than it is for a traditional-style kitchen.
High-gloss finish may also be referred to as ultra-high gloss or 100-per-cent gloss, depending on the materials you are using and the supplier you speak to.
High-gloss cabinet doors have a shiny finish that reflects light, which is one of the main reasons that gloss kitchens, especially white gloss kitchens, are so popular.
What is a high-gloss finish?
High gloss is by far the most requested finish among my clients, and it seems as popular now as it was when it was last trending in the 1970s. It is more suited to a contemporary-style kitchen with flat cabinet fronts than it is for a traditional-style kitchen.
High-gloss finish may also be referred to as ultra-high gloss or 100-per-cent gloss, depending on the materials you are using and the supplier you speak to.
High-gloss cabinet doors have a shiny finish that reflects light, which is one of the main reasons that gloss kitchens, especially white gloss kitchens, are so popular.
What are the advantages of high gloss kitchen cabinets?
By reflecting light, the shiny finish of these gloss cabinet fronts helps to make the space feel bigger and more open than it actually is, making gloss-finish cabinets an excellent choice for smaller kitchen spaces. This light reflection is also a bonus if you are considering a darker colour, as you won’t need to worry about the shade absorbing the light out of your room.
The paler the colour, the higher the reflection of light, which is why white is the most popular colour for gloss kitchens. However, bear in mind that this reflective quality will also bounce light around and reflect other colours within the room on to those surfaces. Colour cast can slightly alter the appearance of the colour of your cabinets. So if you have lots of other colours in the kitchen or in a nearby living area, don’t be surprised if those colours are reflected on the gloss kitchen cabinet door surfaces, especially if they are white.
Another great advantage of high-gloss cabinets is that they are really easy to clean, which is always a winner for homeowners with a young family. Use a non-scratch microfibre cloth to clean the cabinet fronts as they will easily pick up any dust particles sitting on the surface of the doors.
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By reflecting light, the shiny finish of these gloss cabinet fronts helps to make the space feel bigger and more open than it actually is, making gloss-finish cabinets an excellent choice for smaller kitchen spaces. This light reflection is also a bonus if you are considering a darker colour, as you won’t need to worry about the shade absorbing the light out of your room.
The paler the colour, the higher the reflection of light, which is why white is the most popular colour for gloss kitchens. However, bear in mind that this reflective quality will also bounce light around and reflect other colours within the room on to those surfaces. Colour cast can slightly alter the appearance of the colour of your cabinets. So if you have lots of other colours in the kitchen or in a nearby living area, don’t be surprised if those colours are reflected on the gloss kitchen cabinet door surfaces, especially if they are white.
Another great advantage of high-gloss cabinets is that they are really easy to clean, which is always a winner for homeowners with a young family. Use a non-scratch microfibre cloth to clean the cabinet fronts as they will easily pick up any dust particles sitting on the surface of the doors.
Do you need direction and advice on how to upgrade your kitchen? Find a reviewed kitchen designer near you on Houzz
What are the disadvantages of high gloss kitchen cabinets?
Due to the fact that cabinets with a high-gloss finish reflect so much light, fingerprints, dirt and scratches are much more noticeable on them than they are on matt or semi-gloss cabinets. (But as I mentioned, they are very easy to clean so this may not be an issue for you.)
The disadvantage of a dark colour in a gloss finish is that any tiny imperfections on the surface of the doors, such as scratches or finger marks, are much more noticeable than they are on lighter colour gloss doors. You might want to steer clear of darker colours if you have young children or are concerned about having to clean the cabinet fronts more regularly than you would like.
Due to the fact that cabinets with a high-gloss finish reflect so much light, fingerprints, dirt and scratches are much more noticeable on them than they are on matt or semi-gloss cabinets. (But as I mentioned, they are very easy to clean so this may not be an issue for you.)
The disadvantage of a dark colour in a gloss finish is that any tiny imperfections on the surface of the doors, such as scratches or finger marks, are much more noticeable than they are on lighter colour gloss doors. You might want to steer clear of darker colours if you have young children or are concerned about having to clean the cabinet fronts more regularly than you would like.
Top tips for using high gloss on kitchen cabinets
Reflections of light on gloss cabinets are much more apparent on higher cabinets than they are below kitchen benchtops, because they are more at eye level.
If you would love some high-gloss cabinets in your kitchen, but are concerned about seeing fingerprints, consider choosing a high-gloss finish on your upper cabinets, and use either a matt or a semi-gloss finish for the lower cabinets.
Likewise, if you would love to incorporate a darker colour into your kitchen and really have your heart set on a gloss finish, then consider mixing it with a lighter colour. Position the darker colour cabinets at eye level where they are out of reach of sticky fingers (especially if you have children), and keep the lower-level cabinets a lighter colour, which won’t show fingerprints as easily.
Find inspiration from these contemporary white kitchen designs
Reflections of light on gloss cabinets are much more apparent on higher cabinets than they are below kitchen benchtops, because they are more at eye level.
If you would love some high-gloss cabinets in your kitchen, but are concerned about seeing fingerprints, consider choosing a high-gloss finish on your upper cabinets, and use either a matt or a semi-gloss finish for the lower cabinets.
Likewise, if you would love to incorporate a darker colour into your kitchen and really have your heart set on a gloss finish, then consider mixing it with a lighter colour. Position the darker colour cabinets at eye level where they are out of reach of sticky fingers (especially if you have children), and keep the lower-level cabinets a lighter colour, which won’t show fingerprints as easily.
Find inspiration from these contemporary white kitchen designs
Matt
What is a matt finish?
Matt-finish cabinets don’t reflect any light at all and look more flat than a gloss finish does. Matt finish is the perfect choice for more traditional-style or country-style kitchen cabinets that have routed fronts – gloss is too shiny and modern-looking for these styles of kitchens.
A matt finish also looks just as good on contemporary-style flat cabinet fronts as it does on more traditional-style fronts, and appears to be growing in popularity. In fact, in Europe, matt-finish cabinet fronts are now more popular than gloss.
What is a matt finish?
Matt-finish cabinets don’t reflect any light at all and look more flat than a gloss finish does. Matt finish is the perfect choice for more traditional-style or country-style kitchen cabinets that have routed fronts – gloss is too shiny and modern-looking for these styles of kitchens.
A matt finish also looks just as good on contemporary-style flat cabinet fronts as it does on more traditional-style fronts, and appears to be growing in popularity. In fact, in Europe, matt-finish cabinet fronts are now more popular than gloss.
What are the advantages of matt kitchen cabinets?
The main advantage of matt-finish cabinet fronts is the fact that fingerprints, scratches and other imperfections are far less noticeable than on gloss-finish fronts.
This doesn’t mean that there are no fingerprints or marks that show, it just means that you don’t see them as much due to the lack of light reflecting on the surface.
The colour of matt-finish cabinets can look more consistent than gloss ones. This is because there is no reflection of light to make some areas of the cabinet fronts look brighter or darker than others. Notice how the colours in the kitchen pictured here look far more consistent than those in the red and black gloss kitchen above.
The main advantage of matt-finish cabinet fronts is the fact that fingerprints, scratches and other imperfections are far less noticeable than on gloss-finish fronts.
This doesn’t mean that there are no fingerprints or marks that show, it just means that you don’t see them as much due to the lack of light reflecting on the surface.
The colour of matt-finish cabinets can look more consistent than gloss ones. This is because there is no reflection of light to make some areas of the cabinet fronts look brighter or darker than others. Notice how the colours in the kitchen pictured here look far more consistent than those in the red and black gloss kitchen above.
What are the disadvantages of matt kitchen cabinets?
A surface with a matt finish absorbs light as opposed to reflecting it. This results in a more muted look. You should also note that, because matt-finish cabinet fronts don’t reflect any light, they won’t help to make your space feel any bigger, if that’s what you are trying to achieve.
Matt finish cabinet fronts are not quite as easy to clean as gloss cabinets are, because the matt surface isn’t as smooth. Even so, they are not difficult to clean. Again, use a microfibre cloth, which won’t ever scratch your cabinets.
If you are choosing a laminate material for your cabinet fronts, ensure that you check out samples carefully and that the material preferably has a smooth flat finish. Some matt-finish laminates have a texture to them, and this makes them slightly more difficult to clean as a textured finish will give dirt and dust more surface to stick to – but it shouldn’t stop you buying textured laminates as they can look spectacular in the kitchen. Ideally, choose a sparely textured surface with a low profile.
A surface with a matt finish absorbs light as opposed to reflecting it. This results in a more muted look. You should also note that, because matt-finish cabinet fronts don’t reflect any light, they won’t help to make your space feel any bigger, if that’s what you are trying to achieve.
Matt finish cabinet fronts are not quite as easy to clean as gloss cabinets are, because the matt surface isn’t as smooth. Even so, they are not difficult to clean. Again, use a microfibre cloth, which won’t ever scratch your cabinets.
If you are choosing a laminate material for your cabinet fronts, ensure that you check out samples carefully and that the material preferably has a smooth flat finish. Some matt-finish laminates have a texture to them, and this makes them slightly more difficult to clean as a textured finish will give dirt and dust more surface to stick to – but it shouldn’t stop you buying textured laminates as they can look spectacular in the kitchen. Ideally, choose a sparely textured surface with a low profile.
Top tips for using matt on kitchen cabinets
If you love the appearance of matt-finish cabinets, but are concerned that the whole look might be a bit too flat and boring, then consider these two ideas:
If you love the appearance of matt-finish cabinets, but are concerned that the whole look might be a bit too flat and boring, then consider these two ideas:
- Select a door that has a simple routed profile in it, such as the Shaker-style kitchen pictured here. The profile will cast different shadows on the cabinet fronts, creating a feeling of depth and interest.
- Mix two different colours together to create a contrast and a point of interest.
What is Something in Between?
Semi Gloss
If you are still not convinced as to whether you should opt for a gloss or matt finish for your new kitchen cabinets, then maybe a semi-gloss finish might be the best option for you.
Semi-gloss cabinets combine some of the advantages from both gloss and matt finish cabinets. They have a degree of light-reflective qualities so light will be bounced around the kitchen. However, because a semi-gloss surface is not as highly reflective as a high-gloss surface, you won’t see as many reflections in your cabinet fronts, and this may give you a more consistent-looking colour. Additionally, you’re less likely to notice fingerprints as easily on high-gloss fronts. A semi-gloss finish is also just as easy to wipe clean as a gloss finish.
Semi Gloss
If you are still not convinced as to whether you should opt for a gloss or matt finish for your new kitchen cabinets, then maybe a semi-gloss finish might be the best option for you.
Semi-gloss cabinets combine some of the advantages from both gloss and matt finish cabinets. They have a degree of light-reflective qualities so light will be bounced around the kitchen. However, because a semi-gloss surface is not as highly reflective as a high-gloss surface, you won’t see as many reflections in your cabinet fronts, and this may give you a more consistent-looking colour. Additionally, you’re less likely to notice fingerprints as easily on high-gloss fronts. A semi-gloss finish is also just as easy to wipe clean as a gloss finish.
Your turn
What finish did you choose for your kitchen cabinet fronts? Tell us about it in the Comments. And if you found this story helpful, like it, bookmark it, save the photos and share your thoughts below. Join the conversation.
What finish did you choose for your kitchen cabinet fronts? Tell us about it in the Comments. And if you found this story helpful, like it, bookmark it, save the photos and share your thoughts below. Join the conversation.
More
Want more help choosing kitchen cabinets? Read: Cooking With Colour: What Shade Suits Your Kitchen Cabinets?
Want more help choosing kitchen cabinets? Read: Cooking With Colour: What Shade Suits Your Kitchen Cabinets?
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Reply to Mimi A. - have you tried Nifty with a magic sponge? I have matt black Fenix that is supposed to be fingerprint less - but every now and then I need to go over the surface with the nifty and magic sponge to get them back to their original state
Thanks Jenny, i live in Canada, never heard of Nifty. Do you know where it is sold? Or let me know the ingredients its made of.
Any help appreciated when it comes to MDF grease remover!
Have whatever YOU like, but if you look in higher end, architecturally driven magazines etc, you will see that the finish in these homes is almost always matt not gloss