Gloss or matt: Which kitchen finish will you choose?

One of the biggest style elements of any new, designer kitchen will be its finish. A kitchen’s finish can make a huge impact on the overall style and feel of a kitchen, which is why we’re often asked which is better – gloss or matt? While we can’t say that we think one is better than the other, there are advantages and disadvantages of each. If you don’t have an instant preference for gloss or matt, why not consider what each one has to offer and think about your own requirements?

The benefits of high gloss kitchens

A high gloss finish leaves you with a sleek, attractive kitchen that looks stylish and up-to-date. Furthermore, gloss is available in a number of different materials and colours, allowing you to further personalise and tailor your look.

One of the main reasons why people opt for gloss is its light-reflective quality. Light reflects off gloss surfaces, helping make a room feel brighter and larger. For this reason, it’s a great choice for smaller kitchens too. While all coloured gloss will have this effect, a white gloss finish will boast the best in reflective qualities. Darker coloured gloss also has the tendency to show imperfections more easily too.

If you’re looking for high gloss kitchen inspiration, take a look at this fantastic high gloss family kitchen case study, which features a monochrome high gloss design.

Looking after high gloss kitchen surfaces

Looking after your high gloss kitchen is easy. Even though high-gloss does tend to show up marks and smudges, cupboard surfaces can be easily cleaned with a microfibre non-scratch cloth. While the problem of fingerprints is easily solved, it may not be the best finish if you’ve got young children.

The benefits of matt kitchens

Matt finishes have become more and more popular over recent years and are a relatively new trend. Unlike the shiny surface of high gloss, which reflects light, matt boasts a flat surface that absorbs light rather than reflecting it. However, this doesn’t mean your kitchen will look dull – especially if you opt for lighter, brighter colours.

One of the perks of matt is its professional feel and look of understated elegance. Matt finishes are smooth and feature even colour that looks solid from every angle. For some, this block colour look is more appealing to the eye than a reflective surface, which doesn’t usually look so smooth. The bold appearance of a matt finish can also help you to create a more dramatic look

If you’re looking for matt kitchen inspiration, take a look at this matt finish Hacker German kitchen case study, which features stunning units in light grey,

Looking after matt kitchen surfaces

A matt finish will be durable and scratch resistant – especially when buying from a reputable kitchen design company like Kitchen Design Centre. Unlike gloss surfaces, imperfections and fingerprints won’t show up either, meaning matt looks cleaner for longer. Like high gloss kitchens, a matt surface is easily cleaned too – and boasts the added benefit of being easier to maintain in the longer term.

For more information on our matt and high gloss kitchens, pop into your nearest Kitchen Design Centre showroom today. 

Which look do you prefer – the high-gloss kitchen or sleek matt kitchen? Tell us in the comments below or tweet us @ModernKitchens