Should Kitchen Cabinets Be Matte, Satin, or Gloss? - E&B Granite (2024)

FAQs

Should Kitchen Cabinets Be Matte, Satin, or Gloss? - E&B Granite? ›

To sum up, a gloss finish will give your kitchen an expensive, sophisticated, and modern look. A matte finish is more subtle, soft, and cozy, and works well if your kitchen has a more traditional look. So, consider the style of your kitchen when deciding between gloss and matte cabinetry.

There are many types of paint to choose from, but the best paint for kitchen cabinets is semi-gloss, gloss or satin. Matte is not practical in kitchens and baths where you will need durable paint you can easily clean. No matter the types of paint you choose, prepping is an important step in the process.

But if your kitchen cabinet finish's durability is a high priority, there is no better option than a high gloss finish. A gloss finish will give you the durability you need in a busy kitchen where scratches, dings, and dents are likely to occur.

High gloss, contemporary, slab front cabinetry was all the rage not so long ago. But they've taken a dip in popularity over the last few years, making way for more traditional-style kitchen trends. However, in 2024 this seemingly dated kitchen trend is making a comeback.

Matt surfaces like those on Howdens cupboards are prone to fingerprints and dust buildup. A good first step is to spray the cupboards directly with a multi-surface cleaner formulated for matt finishes. Let it sit briefly before wiping it clean with a dry microfibre cloth.

A satin cabinet finish is more long lasting and provides slightly less reflectiveness. Such features gives the material a brighter finish compared to matte. When applied to kitchen custom cabinets, it will result in a soft, silky, and a little glowy appearance.

Glossy finish reflects a lot of light, thus fingerprints and dust particles are easily visible on this surface. Opt for matte finish cabinets if you plan to let your help work in it more than you would.

MAGNOLIA HOME BY JOANNA GAINES TRIM & CABINETRY INTERIOR SEMI-GLOSS Paint is a water-based acrylic product designed for surfaces such as kitchen and bathroom cabinets, trim, window frames and doors. It offers the hardness of a traditional oil-based paint in an acrylic formula.

The most durable kitchen cabinet finish is a catalyzed conversion varnish. This is the most durable finish available for wood. It's chemical and moisture resistant, making it easy to clean. It's also more flexible.

Tip: When choosing a paint for your kitchen cabinet update, we recommend a durable option like Emerald^® Urethane Trim Enamel that can withstand the wear and tear of frequently used and cleaned areas. Tip: Gently roll over any overlapping brush marks or paint drips to smooth the surface.

Is gloss or matt better for kitchens? ›

In general, gloss kitchens can work well for smaller spaces since they reflect the light and add the illusion of extra space. However, if your space gets a lot of natural light, you might prefer a matt finish which will retain the solidity and depth of the same colour whatever the light (unlike gloss kitchens).

While some people may avoid a gloss kitchen for fear that it would be hard to clean, this is a common misconception. Due to the slick, shiny surface, gloss kitchens can be wiped regularly with a damp, non-abrasive cloth to get rid of any pesky stains, fingerprints, or smudges.

Two of the most popular finishes for cabinets are gloss and semi-gloss. Both of these finishes offer significant benefits in terms of durability, ease of cleaning, and visual impact in high-traffic areas such as the kitchen.

An angled or bullnosed (rounded) outside edge, angled inside edge and flat panel are easiest to clean because there are less crevices to trap dirt, and dust can't settle easily on the vertical surfaces.

A matte finish does not reflect any light at all, which almost eliminates the issue a reflective surface faces with showing every imperfection. Well, not completely. Marks and fingerprints will show but because there isn't basically a light shining behind it so they are far less noticeable.

Or if you want to mix matt with some bit of gloss or semi-gloss. Whichever option you choose, it works well. Gloss helps add a little bit of shine to the space and helps it make appear larger, thanks to the reflected light on the surface.

Semi-gloss sheen is a popular choice for kitchen cabinets as it has a moderate level of gloss and is fairly easy to maintain. It provides a subtle shine that adds depth and dimension to the cabinets, while still being relatively forgiving when it comes to scratches and cleaning.

Semi-gloss finishes boast a sleek, highly radiant sheen and can showcase a room's architectural details. This finish is best for high-traffic areas, like bathrooms, kitchens, foyers, and mudrooms. It's also suitable for cabinets or built-ins, trim, and doors.

The lower-gloss finish of eggshell paint makes it better at hiding imperfections like uneven brushstrokes on the surface of your walls. The higher-gloss finish of satin paint makes it the best paint for highlighting the definition of decorative surfaces such as cabinets and moldings.

Some good neutral colors for kitchen cabinets include light gray, dark gray, or greige (a mix of gray and beige). These neutrals will help ground your space and give you freedom to incorporate more playful colors via accessories and appliances.