Matt vs Gloss Kitchens

It goes without saying that when it comes to designing a new kitchen, you have a heap of choices to make.

Of course, there are the big decisions. Modern or traditional? Which colours? What kind of layout? Of course you have to choose the worktops, flooring, appliances and lighting too.

But here’s a question that often gets pushed way down the list, if not missed completely…

Gloss or Matt?
 
It might sound like a minor point but honestly, we’ve heard it all in our early days of designing and fitting kitchens. Clients would mention afterwards that the matt finish made their kitchen appear dark, or their kids’ mucky fingerprints shone like a beacon on their shiny units every time they walked into the room.
 
So, we’ve learnt our lesson! Since then, the question of whether to go matt or gloss features high up in the design consultation.

How do you choose? It’s mostly down to personal preference; however, there are some things everyone should consider:

Gloss kitchens have been a staple of kitchen design for many years and with good reason.

It’s a modern style that looks great in large spaces, creating a wow-factor finish that lasts long after that ‘new kitchen’ feeling has worn off.
A gloss finish illuminates any room, creating a fresh and bright vibe that has always been popular.
It also works in small kitchens though, because it reflects light and gives the illusion of more space. We’d definitely opt for a lighter colour for a small space, as this ensures the area will be as bright and open as possible.
Now, here’s the dilemma with gloss kitchens. Although easy and quick to clean (much easier than wooden doors), gloss kitchens tend to show up every smudge and fingertip, especially in darker colours like black.
So, here’s a key question to you (especially if you are the proud owner of young children); are you more bothered about your kitchen being simple and quicker to clean, or it looking cleaner for longer?

Matt kitchens aren’t a new concept, but they are rapidly gaining popularity right now.
It’s an excellent finish to work with and suits any kitchen style, modern or traditional.
We recently installed a matt kitchen in a restored church, it’s a super contemporary kitchen in concrete and alpine. Sitting in the heart of a traditional home, it looks stunning.

Like traditional wood finishes, matt kitchens are often considered a cleaning nightmare, but thanks to advances in technology, they don’t have to be.

If you’re trying to achieve a dark, dramatic and elegant kitchen, matt is the right finish to use.

Unlike a gloss finish, matt absorbs light instead of reflecting it. This doesn’t rule it out as an option for smaller kitchens, however, as in light tones it will still brighten the room. Word of warning though, if the kitchen space is lacking in natural light, a matt finish may not always be the best choice.

At The Pentland Kitchen Company, we have a wide range of contemporary and traditional kitchens in both matt and gloss finishes so there really is something for everyone. Whether you’re after a gloss or matt kitchen, our kitchen designers are ready to help you.

Give us a call on 07793279977 or you can arrange a design consultation here.