Glossy vs Matte Kitchen Cabinets: Which is Right for You?

Introduction

High gloss provides a shiny, contemporary appearance that reflects light. Matte provides a soft, classic look that conceals everyday marks and blemishes.

But which is the best option for your kitchen? The following guide explores glossy vs matte kitchen cabinets in detail – including pros and cons; comparisons, mixed concepts, and color options for each.

What is a High Gloss Finish?

The high gloss cabinet surface has a reflective quality resembling either polished marble or an oil slick. When you look at them, you can almost see your reflection. This shiny, glossy finish can come from special kitchen cabinet surface materials like acrylic, lacquer, or high quality laminate.

The surface is completely smooth to the touch. You will not feel any bumps or texture, only feel a reflective flat shiny coating that reflects light around your kitchen.

The Pros of High Gloss Cabinets

Light Reflection

In your kitchen, high gloss cabinets behave like mirrors. They reflect natural light from windows, as well as artificial light from the fixtures in your kitchen. As a result the room feels wider and brighter.

Small kitchens can take the most advantage of this effect. The reflected light tricks your eyes into perceiving more space than is actually there. Dark kitchens also get a big boost from a glossy surface.

Easy to Clean

A smooth surface makes cleaning easy. You can wipe spills off with a damp cloth in no time at all. Food splatter doesn’t adhere to the non-porous surface. Most messes can be cleaned in a matter of seconds.

This smooth finish means that bacteria and germs cannot hide in tiny cracks or texture. A quick wipe will keep your cabinets sanitary.

Modern Aesthetic

High gloss cabinets can give a kitchen a modern, sophisticated look. They add a sense of elegance and luxury. The glossy look compliments modern and minimal kitchen designs. Many homeowners love the fact that their kitchens look like high-end showrooms with their glossy cabinets.

The Cons of High Gloss Cabinets

Visible Imperfections

Fingerprints are very visible on glossy surfaces. Water spots, food residue, and dust are also prominent. You will have to wipe down the cabinet surfaces often to maintain their appearance.

Scratches are also more visible with shiny finishes. Even small scratches reflect light and become apparent.

Potential for Glare

Too much reflected light can cause glare that can be annoying. Kitchens with plenty of sunlight provided by large windows or a plethora of light fixtures might present an overwhelming amount of light if glossy cabinets are designed in your kitchen. Reflected light may be uncomfortable on your eyes while you are cooking.

Color Sensitivity

Dark glossy colors like black or navy demonstrate every imperfection. While lighter colors like white or cream hide fingerprints better, they too require regular cleaning for appearance.

What is a Matte Finish?

Matte cabinets have a surface that will look flat or non-reflective. Instead of reflecting light around, they absorb the light. The feel is somewhat rough compared to glossy finishes. This style has a soft, velvety appearance that is elegant in the eyes of many people.

The Pros of Matte Cabinets

Hides Imperfections

Matte surfaces conceal fingerprints, smudges, and little scratches very well. The textured look makes these everyday imperfections seem much more inconspicuous. Families with children especially see the advantage to this.

You can go longer between cleaning and the cabinets won’t look dirty or worn.

Sophisticated Look

Matte finishes have a polished, classic look. They feel warm and inviting rather than cold and sterile. Good for traditional to contemporary kitchens, matte finishes work well with many styles of kitchens. The softness feels more natural and less formal than high-gloss finishes.

Color Uniformity

Matte cabinets have a consistent finish and color across their entire surface. Without reflections causing a shift in how the color looks, they appear uniform and even. It is easier to coordinate other parts of your kitchen.

The Cons of Matte Cabinets

Light Absorption

Matte finishes do not return light back into your space. Users with small or poorly lit kitchens may find they don’t get as much light reflected back into the room with matte cabinets, and their kitchen looks dark. You may have to add additional lighting to help brighten the space.

Cleaning Challenges

Although smudges will hide more on matte finishes grease and some stains can be more difficult to clean. The slightly textured surface means that the dirt can be stubborn. You may need to get special cleaners or scrub a lot to get the stains out of tough areas.

Head-to-Head Comparison: A Quick Glance

The Best of Both Worlds: Mixed Finishes

You don’t have to settle on just one finish. Many homeowners effectively utilize a mix of glossy and matte cabinets to achieve the perfect balance. The two-tone kitchen cabinet option gives you the benefit of both finishes.

Consider glossy working upper cabinets to reflect light and make your kitchen feel brighter, while matte working lower cabinets to stand up to day-to-day wear and tear.

Another option to consider: matte finishes in the rest of the space with glossy finishes on the kitchen island. This option creates a beautiful focal point that draws attention to your island, keeping maintenance simple.

You can also mix finishes by room area. You can use glossy finishes around windows to reflect as much natural light into your space. You can keep areas that get heavy use as matte finishes.

Color Impact on Finish Choice

Color choices make a difference in how types of finishes perform. Light colors perform better with glossy finishes due to being able to camouflage imperfections better than different colors. Glossy white, cream, or light gray cabinets tend to look clean longer.

Dark glossy colors like black, navy, or deep green can create dramatic and high-end looks, but they require maintenance on a daily basis to not show fingerprints and water spots.

Matte finishes can work with almost any color. Light matte colors can feel nice and welcoming. Dark matte colors can provide a rich sophisticated look. A matte finish with clean lines will not show every mark. Take a look at what is popular for kitchen cabinets color trends right now.

Bold colors tend to look better in a matte finish. Bright reds, deep blues, and rich greens can be overwhelming in a glossy finish but look elegant in a matte finish.

Conclusion: Making Your Final Decision

Choose high gloss if you are after a modern feel, have a small and dark kitchen or use a kitchen frequently and willing to clean up a mess every day. Choose matte if you want low maintenance finishes, have kids, and want a timeless feel.

AJ Flying, a leading cabinet manufacturer from China provides you both finishes along with style options and the best factory prices. Our home improvement team will guide you through all the options for designing your ultimate combination of finishes for your ultimate kitchen.