Kitchen remodelling could be a fun or daunting task, whether you’re simply upgrading the worktop or the cabinets or you’re completely keeping up with the latest season’s décor.
One significant decision you will have to make is choosing between a high gloss and a matt kitchen finish. Some homeowners immediately know which of the two they prefer, while for others, it’s not quite clear.
Both finishes could be as perfect and beautiful as your home’s heart, although the decision entirely rests upon your personal preference.
Don’t worry. This article will help you make the right decision.
Let’s have a look at whether a matt or a high gloss finish could be just right for you and your home.
A high gloss kitchen
If you prefer a more sophisticated beauty, then gloss is your answer. It offers a lustrous finish and is ideal for modern and contemporary designs. In fact, it has been exceptionally popular since the 1970s.
Although high gloss can be a bit tricky to perfectly style, a well-designed high gloss kitchen could be more than spectacular.
Can match and blend with other colours
While gloss impeccably works in a smaller number of colours, it can still be perfect if you want your kitchen in luxurious black.
You might be concerned with black being a bit too much, a bit too dark or a bit too over-the-top.
But no!
There’s plenty of light reflected on the surface, even from darker colours. Even though you want to experiment with darker hues, you’ll still benefit from the reflection.
The amazing black gloss finish in the kitchen below retains spacious depth and feel of a contemporary kitchen. Although the colour is black, the space doesn’t feel cramped, thanks to the light reflected on the glossy surface.
Abundance of light
If you’re looking to maximise your kitchen space, a high gloss finish could be perfect.
Its shiny surface reflects light coming from the outside or from light fixtures into and across the kitchen, creating the illusion of a larger space and making the room feel bigger than what it actually is.
This is especially true when you opt for lighter colours such as cream white, although these aren’t your only options.
However, caution should be taken when combining different colours with gloss.
Remember that the surface reflects light. This means the surface will reflect all the colours in your kitchen. So, when you experiment with contrasting colours, be prepared to a space with mesh of clashing colours.
Easy cleaning and maintenance
One of the fascinating qualities that make high gloss ideal among homeowners is that it’s fairly easy to clean.
Yes, it is true that fingerprints, smudges and other imperfections can be visible on glossy surfaces. However, note that these imperfections are not easily noticeable on high-quality glossy finishes.
Still unconvinced?
How about considering handleless high gloss kitchen cabinets?
Is a handleless high gloss finish the best choice for you?
Some homeowners are put off the idea of choosing a glossy finish because of the fact that fingerprints and other marks can show up prominently on the surface. If your heart is set on this glossy finish, yet you can’t stand the idea of having to constantly wipe off stains and other marks, there is another more appealing option.
Kitchen cabinets and cupboards with handles can easily attract smudges and dirt, simply because people will be touching these surfaces. Additionally, this all accumulates around the handles, the most awkward place, making cleaning a pain.
However, all these can be avoided with handleless kitchen cabinets.
As the name implies, these cabinet styles have no front handles that we often see on regular cabinet doors. Although various options are available, a “true handleless” type is created by recessing a solid stainless steel channel in the top line of the cabinet, creating a gap for your fingers between the top of the drawer or door and worktop’s underside.
Your fingers should curl around the surface edge and onto the back of the drawer or door, pulling it forward to open.
Benefits. This style allows you to create a streamlined, uncluttered look. The best part of this is that there are no handles where children can hang from or accidentally bang their head.
Understanding the diverse gloss materials
A glossy finish can be achieved with a wide number of materials. You can easily find and get what you are shooting for.
You have gloss glass, gloss laminate and even gloss acrylic. Whatever your heart desires, there’s plenty of options to help you create your own luxury kitchen.
Matt kitchen finish
Unlike high gloss’ reflective surface, matt instead absorbs light and doesn’t reflect it. This means you’ll have a flat stylish look, which can be ideal for anything from country-style properties to traditional designs.
However, its simplicity also lends to a more contemporary style. Matt finish tends to have a more slightly warmer and consistent feel than gloss.
Hides marks and other imperfections
Much like gloss, matt surfaces are relatively easy to clean. However, an additional benefit provided by this particular finish is that it’s much better at hiding any imperfections on the surface.
Not only is matt scratch resistant, but also fingerprints, smudges and other marks are less noticeable on its surface. This is highly ideal for households with children. It means that you can get more out of life since the surface will remain in exceptional condition for a long period of time.
Broader colour variety
Compared with gloss, matt finishes offer a broader variety of colours. This lets you mix two colours more easily, which can be very beneficial if you have a specific palette in mind.
And yes! It’s true that matt finishes easily blend quite well with other surfaces and materials, including gloss.
Some homeowners initially prefer having a glossy finish, but then they opt for matt when they find out that they can easily get what they’re actually looking for.
In general, matt finishes work with a wider range of properties and may be more naturally suited to the aesthetic of your home. In the example below, the dark matt surfaces sit perfectly alongside the wooden cabinets and worktop.
Textured or smooth
If you do set your heart with a matt finish, another decision you will have to face are the kinds of material to use. This often boils down to a smooth or a textured finish.
Although textured surfaces look more stunning in any kitchen, it should be noted that they’re more prone to packing dust and dirt. Frequent cleaning might be needed.
However, there is no right or wrong answer as to which is better for your home. Just opt for one that is ideal for the way you live.
If you don’t want regularly clean and is keeping a busy household, then a smooth finish could be the way to go.
Appearing elegant and luxurious
What makes matt perfect for a minimalist is its understated elegance. Check out the example below.
On matt surfaces, colours will appear solid from all angles. Your kitchen will definitely have a smooth-looking surface, regardless of time of day. In glossy surfaces, the colour and appearance dramatically change depending on the time of day and the amount of reflected light.
Matt is best when combined with other features
Unlike the striking and attention-grabbing appearance of gloss, matt leans more on the naturally muted look. That doesn’t mean that matt has a boring or flat look. Rather, matt works perfectly either as the centrepiece or a stunningly beautiful backdrop, complementing the other bolder features of your kitchen.
When you take this into account and the fact that matt comes in a wide range of materials and colours, this proves that a kitchen such as this could appeal to almost every type of taste and style—versatility being its strongest suit.
For example, a more dramatic backlash could be set against a matt finish.
So which is the right one for your home?
This technically depends on your personal taste and lifestyle. If you don’t mind seeing fingerprints now and then or constant clean up isn’t an issue, then we recommend a high gloss finish.
However, if you want to hide any imperfections and if there are kids in the house, opt for a matt kitchen finish.
Note that you need to factor in the quality of the kitchen material and finish in your decision as well. By working with reputable and high-quality suppliers, you are assured that your kitchen finish will last for a very long time.