When it comes to choosing the ideal finish for your kitchen cabinet, you have two main options viz. (1) Matte (2) Glossy. Regardless of you select particleboard, MDF (medium-density fiberboard), ply or solid wood doors for your cabinets, you need to choose the right finish to get the desired look and functionality for your kitchen.

For instance, you can use an oil coating for solid timber doors to get a country-style kitchen. Alternatively, you can choose a clear or coloured polyurethane for a more lasting finish. Besides, you can use kitchen-specific paints from any leading brand to paint manufactured boards like MDF or particleboard. If that is not an option, then you can use a two-pack polyurethane. Moreover, you can use a layer of wood veneer, vinyl wrap, melamine or laminate as a finish for cabinet doors. No matter what material or coating you use, you still have to opt between glossy and matte finish for the end product.

If you’re not able to decide which finish you should choose for your kitchen cabinet then don’t worry a bit as this blog will help you to arrive at a decision. The pros and cons of each finish explained herein, which will help you to decide which finish will suit your kitchen cabinetry better. So, let’s get started!

High Gloss Kitchen Cabinet Finish

A high gloss finish is smooth and glossy; it reflects the light in the area at different angles, making it the favourite finish often chosen, especially for modern kitchen styles having flat cabinet fronts.

Benefits of High Gloss Finish

• High gloss can make a confined space look larger and broader than its original size.
• High gloss finish is ideal for small and compact size kitchens, as the reflected light creates a shiny finish, producing an illusion of more open space.
• Even if you select a darker colour shade, it will not imbibe all the light present in the room; instead, reflect it. Nonetheless, lighter colours will reflect more light. Thus, white is highly desired colour choice followed by off-white, beige and other lighter shades.

Cleaning Surface of High Gloss Finish

It’s easy to clean high gloss surface with a non-abrasive microfiber cloth. A microfiber cloth will grab any marks or dust particles on the surface. Besides, use mild dishwashing soap, a non-abrasive sponge and warm water to get rid of stubborn stains. Afterwards, clean the surface tenderly, and rinse and dry with a clean non-abrasive microfiber cloth.

Drawbacks of High Gloss Finish

The single most drawback is that fingerprints, scratches, dirt and other marks will be more visible and detectable as plenty of light reflects on the surface. On dark colour shades, even the tiny marks will be easily noticeable, so better to consider lighter-colour shades if you love high gloss finish.

Matt Kitchen Cabinet Finish

High gloss finish reflects light on the surface whereas matt finish absorbs light. However, matt finish won’t look dull, especially with light colour shades. A matt finish is perfect for traditional or country style kitchen cabinets having routed fronts. However, matt finish will also look equally stylish on modern kitchen cabinets having flat fronts.

Benefits of Matt Finish

As light does not reflect, fingerprints, scratches and other marks are not easily noticeable on matt finish.
Matt finish produces a consistent colour effect. That’s because, in the absence of reflected light, colours in different areas of the cabinet fronts look identical.

Cleaning Surface of Matt Finish

Cleaning matt surface won’t be as easy as cleaning high gloss surface; still, you can clean the matt finish surface with a microfiber cloth.

Drawbacks of Matt Finish

With matt finish, you’ll get a muted look. It is not the best option for small or compact kitchen spaces because the light won’t reflect, and the area could feel constricted.

Creating your dream kitchen can be a stressful process, especially when you are searching for the right inspiration for its design. However, if you enjoy the thought of a warm and inviting design style that focuses on natural beauty and lavish details, then you may not have to look any further than a traditional design style. Traditional style kitchens are a great choice for homeowners who want a sophisticated and elegant design. With the right materials and features, the beauty of a traditional kitchen design will stand out to anyone who enters your home.

What Makes a Traditional Style Kitchen?

A traditional-style kitchen is inspired by design elements from the past. The traditional style is rooted in the timeless design features of 19th century Europe and early America, which focused on natural materials and ornate, decorative elements. Instead of the space highlighting brand new appliances and focusing on modern features, traditional kitchen design calls to attention the materials used and the careful details within them.

In a traditional kitchen, attention to detail is everything. Features of a traditional style may include raised panel cabinet doors, backsplash tile with intricate patterns, carved accents and a tasteful mix of curves and lines. More modern kitchen designs strive for simplicity with straight lines and flat features. On the other hand, a traditional style strives for complexity and elegance.

The key marker that defines a traditional kitchen is the types of materials that are used. Traditional kitchens incorporate materials that embrace subtlety and are less flashy than more modern kitchens. A traditional style embraces the beauty of natural materials and normally incorporates different wood cabinet materials.  A traditional kitchen usually avoids flashy or glossy materials, like silver or chrome, as well as synthetic materials like laminate. Accents and ornamental elements normally include rustic-looking metals like bronze, nickel and steel.

Elements of a Traditional Style Kitchen

When designing a traditional style kitchen, you should consider how each element of the room will contribute to a warm and inviting appearance. A traditional kitchen typically starts by incorporating warm and not overpowering colors, like a cream, soft white, gray or green. Once you have your vision, you want to consider how the following elements will complete the traditional style.

Countertops

Countertops in a traditional kitchen should be made of natural materials to highlight the design of the space. Natural stone is the go-to option in a traditional kitchen. Materials like granite and quartz automatically create a sophisticated kitchen with their natural beauty. For an even more luxurious option, marble countertops are great for creating a classic, elegant appearance. The edging of the countertops should also be considered, as shapes like curves and bevels add to the detail.

Appliances

In some design styles, the focus is designed to be shiny, chrome appliances. In a traditional-style kitchen, this is not the case, as the focus should be on the craftsmanship of the materials around the appliances. Appliances are flexible, but they are usually a standard black, white or stainless steel. When you glance at a traditional kitchen, appliances should not be the first thing you notice. In fact, traditional-style kitchens sometimes preserve their classic look by placing appliances like a dishwasher behind wooden cabinet doors.

Floor

The flooring in a traditional kitchen should be tasteful but not overpower the design features elsewhere in the kitchen. Hardwood flooring or tile make for excellent choices as they incorporate their own great natural flair without taking away from the rest of the kitchen. The design of the floor will not be the highlight of the space and instead should tie all of the other pieces of the kitchen together.

What Are Traditional Kitchen Cabinets?

Cabinets are one of the biggest and most noticeable pieces of the kitchen, and they will help tie together the traditional look. Traditional cabinets are designed to grab your attention with their intricate and charming appearance. Traditional kitchen cabinets can take on a wide variety of characteristics and features. For example, they can have a solid wood panel or a framed glass panel. Cabinets in a traditional kitchen normally embrace either raised or recessed panels and are more likely to incorporate decorative designs.

The beauty of traditional kitchen cupboards is that they have no strong boundaries or restrictions. Although traditional cabinets typically share common themes, you still have plenty of flexibility for choosing specific characteristics you would prefer in your traditional cabinets.

There is no one-size-fits-all template for how traditional kitchen cabinets should look. When choosing the cabinets for your kitchen, you can consider a wide variety of design features while still embracing a traditional look. In a traditional kitchen, you should consider incorporating the following features for your cabinets:

Colors

Traditional kitchen cabinet colors can vary depending on the overall design and color scheme of the rest of the kitchen, but they are normally warmer and more inviting rather than vibrant and flashy. A popular option for a traditional style is a stain or finish that highlights the natural features of the wood. However, more neutral colors, like an eggshell or subtle yellow, make for great additions to a traditional kitchen space as well while directing attention toward the crafted details. For example, traditional white kitchen cabinet doors allow the design features to take center stage.

Features

Cabinet doors in a traditional style can embrace multiple possible features, including a glass door panel or solid wood. Traditional style cabinet doors are often highlighted by their textured features, primarily demonstrated by either a raised or recessed panel. Solid wood panels also incorporate other textured features like carvings or shadow lines.

Hardware

The hinges and knobs of your cabinets will also play a key role in creating the traditional appearance of your cabinets. Cabinet hardware typically ties together the aged, rustic feeling of a traditional style with natural metals like silver, antique brass, bronze or steel. Metal hardware gives your cabinets a classic appearance without stealing too much attention. Cabinet knobs can be either knobbed or shaped like handles depending on your preference.

To learn more about embracing a traditional kitchen style and creating the look in your home, contact us at Cabinetdoors.com. We offer an expansive selection of kitchen cabinet doors to accentuate and complete the look of your traditional kitchen. You can choose from several types of wood and consider options from unfinished doors to doors painted in the color of your choice. All we need to know is the proper measurements and your design preferences, and we will prepare your customized cabinet doors in our shop to meet your exact specifications. 

Modern design can mean different things to different people, but in general if your design style is less traditional and more contemporary, you may favor using modern kitchen cabinets in your remodel.

A Focus on Man-Made Materials

Materials common in modern kitchen cabinets are often man-made and can include metal, plastic, concrete and glass. Semi-opaque or frosted glass is definitely a popular look for modern kitchen cabinets. Replacing old cabinet doors with frosted glass ones is a simple and cost-effective way to make your kitchen more modern. Modern kitchen cabinets can also be faced with wood veneer or plastic laminate. To achieve the characteristic modern look, you can use wood veneer with an exaggerated horizontal grain pattern. Mixed materials are also featured in modern kitchen design.

While traditional kitchen cabinets tend to be made of one type of wood throughout, modern kitchen cabinets can combine materials like wood, laminates, glass and metal to achieve a more unique feel.

 

Wood Veneers and Bold Colors Often Define Mod Kitchens

Color is another unique feature in modern kitchen cabinets. While the natural colors of wood veneer are popular in this design aesthetic, so are bold, less traditional colors. Deep reds and blues and fluorescent yellows, oranges and greens can be been seen in more daring modern kitchen designs.

Simplicity and Lack of Extraneous Detail Is Key

Regardless of the color or material used in your modern design, the most important thing to consider is the shape and form of your cabinet doors. Modern kitchen cabinets feature flat slab doors that avoid excessive details. No crown molding, raised panels or decorative carvings are seen, emphasizing flat, sleek surfaces instead.

The simplicity of a modern kitchen design allows for a more spacious and airy feel in your kitchen. Therefore this design style is favored among those with lots of windows in their kitchen as well as those with few. Homeowners who are working with small angular spaces may favor the look and function of modern kitchen cabinets as they favor function over ornamentation.

For decades, most Americans and Europeans have shared a common stereotype about Chinese manufacturing. When they encounter shoddy workmanship or a product that doesn't work properly, they blame the "Made in China" label on the back.

However, product quality issues have nothing to do with where the product in question is made, but rather how the product is made. No matter where you are on the planet, with the right materials, tools, and techniques, you can always build a high-quality product.

Unfortunately, many Westerners may completely reject the idea of choosing a Chinese manufacturer to build their kitchen cabinets. But if we tell you that by choosing a Chinese cabinet manufacturer, you can find higher quality and service guarantee at a more affordable price, why not give it a try?

Cabinet material selection

Since the early 1900s, most American-made cabinets have used particleboard. While particleboard is the industry standard for kitchen cabinets, we typically use plywood to build our cabinets.

The main reason for this is simple: our products are sold overseas, and during transportation, the cabinets will be exposed to high humidity, which can cause swelling, warping, and other forms of damage. The last thing we want is for the cabinets we produce to reach our customers in poor condition.

Therefore, when producing products, we will strictly control every production step to ensure product quality. This means that by sourcing your kitchen from China, you can benefit from quality material selection during the manufacturing process.

Excellent assembly technology

Think about how many times your kitchen cabinet drawers and doors are touched every day. This means the way your cabinets are assembled is critical to their longevity.

Fortunately, the solid wood cabinets we produce all use dovetail joints, which are considered the strongest joints used in kitchen cabinet construction. These joints require careful attention and skill when putting the individual pieces together, so you can trust that quality craftsmanship goes into every cabinet you buy.

Additionally, we use mortise and tenon joints to connect the face frames, whereas most American-made cabinet face frames use inferior pocket screws. The mortise and tenon joining method is part of a long history of quality construction methods that have stood the test of time.

Decades of export experience

We have decades of foreign trade export experience, and have independent factories and mature production lines. We have cooperated with thousands of customers, and we have a professional design and sales team. Combined with the most popular cabinet style trends, we can provide You create cabinets that are unique to you.

First class quality

It is crucial to cooperate with reputable Chinese kitchen cabinet manufacturers. Most of the hardware accessories required to produce cabinets are imported brands to ensure quality. That way, when it comes time to order new kitchen cabinets—whether in bulk or for a new home construction or renovation project—you can rest assured that your kitchen cabinets will last longer than those purchased from other sources.

For more information about our AllandCabinet, or how to meet your cabinetry needs, contact our team.

Custom Cabinets: More Than Just Kitchens

While our custom kitchen cabinets are a popular choice for homeowners seeking to elevate their culinary spaces, our expertise doesn’t stop there. We understand that every room in your home has unique needs and deserves the same attention to detail.

Custom Bathroom Vanity: Elevate Your Personal Sanctuary

The bathroom is more than just a functional space—it’s a personal sanctuary, a place where you start and end your day. At AllandCabinet, we believe that your bathroom should reflect your personal style and cater to your daily needs. That’s where our custom bathroom vanity units come into play.

Tailored to Your Taste and Needs

Our bathroom design services are all about creating a space that’s uniquely yours. We work closely with you to understand your aesthetic preferences, storage needs, and daily routines. This allows us to design a custom bathroom vanity that’s not only visually stunning but also highly functional.

Whether you’re dreaming of a sleek, modern vanity with clean lines and minimalist appeal, or a classic, ornate piece that exudes luxury, our team of skilled cabinet makers can bring your vision to life. We use a variety of high-quality materials, including a range of wood cabinetry options, to ensure your vanity is not only gorgeous but also durable and long-lasting.

Closet Built-Ins: A Symphony of Style and Organization

Closets are more than just a place to hang your clothes. They’re a testament to your personal style, a sanctuary of organization, and a key component of your daily routine. At Unionlands Cabinetry, we understand the importance of a well-designed closet. That’s why our closet built-ins are meticulously crafted to meet your needs and aesthetic preferences.

Custom Closet Design: Your Dream Space Awaits

Our custom closet design services are all about creating a space that’s uniquely yours. Whether you have a sprawling walk-in or a compact reach-in, we believe every closet has the potential to be a dream space. Our team of interior designers works closely with you to understand your storage needs, style preferences, and daily routines. This allows us to design a closet that’s not only beautiful but also highly functional.

Our Projects and Services

We invite you to explore our projects to see the breadth and depth of our work. From kitchens and bathrooms to living rooms and closets, our custom cabinets can enhance any space in your home.

If you’re ready to transform your home with custom cabinets, we’d love to hear from you. Schedule a free professional consultation through our contact page, or call us to start your journey with AllandCabinet.

In conclusion, custom cabinets are not just for kitchens. They can enhance the functionality and aesthetic of your entire home. Whether it’s a custom bathroom vanity, a built-in entertainment center, closet built-ins, or cabinets for your mudroom, AllandCabinet has you covered. Our commitment to quality craftsmanship and innovative design ensures that every room in your home can be a showcase of style and practicality.

Frequently Asked Questions About Custom Cabinets

Is it cheaper to buy or build your own cabinets?

Building your own cabinets can potentially save you some money, especially if you have the necessary skills, tools, and time. However, it’s important to remember that building cabinets is not a typical DIY project since it requires precision and expertise. If you’re not experienced in cabinet making, you may end up spending more time and money fixing mistakes. Buying cabinets, especially custom ones, ensures you’re getting a professionally crafted product that fits your space perfectly.

How much does it cost to customize cabinets?

The cost of custom cabinets varies widely based on factors such as the materials used, the complexity of the design, and the size of your space. On average, it ranges between $450 to $1,250 per linear foot for custom cabinets. It’s best to get a quote from a professional cabinet maker for a more accurate estimate.

What are the disadvantages of custom cabinets?

While custom cabinets offer many benefits, there are a few potential drawbacks to consider:

1. They can be more expensive than prefab or semi-custom cabinets due to the higher quality materials and craftsmanship involved.
2. Custom cabinets usually have a longer lead time, as they are made to order.
3. With so many design options available, making decisions can be overwhelming for some people.

Are custom cabinets worth it?

Absolutely! While custom cabinets may be more expensive upfront, they offer superior quality, durability, and fit compared to stock or semi-custom cabinets. They’re designed to fit your space perfectly, maximizing storage and functionality. Plus, they allow you to create a unique look that reflects your personal style.

Do built-in cabinets increase home value?

Yes, built-in cabinets can increase your home’s value. They’re often seen as a luxury feature that adds functionality and aesthetic appeal. Plus, because they’re custom fit to your space, they make your home more attractive to potential buyers.

What makes custom cabinets so expensive?

The cost of custom cabinets reflects the high level of craftsmanship, quality materials, and personalized design that goes into them. Each cabinet is made to order, ensuring a perfect fit for your space. Plus, custom cabinets often feature higher-quality hardware and finishes, which add to their durability and longevity.

How long does it take to make custom cabinets?

The timeline for making custom cabinets can vary based on the complexity and dimensions of the design and the cabinet maker’s schedule. On average, you can expect the process to take anywhere from 6 to 12 weeks. This includes time for designing, building, finishing, and installing the cabinets.

Are custom cabinets better quality?

In general, yes. Our custom cabinets are made from higher-quality materials and feature superior craftsmanship compared to stock or semi-custom cabinets. They’re designed to withstand the test of time, offering better durability and functionality. Plus, because they’re made to fit your specific space, they often provide better storage solutions.