Wondering about what finish to choose for your new cabinetry? It’s important to understand that your chosen finish will dramatically change the way your design looks. Mint Kitchen Group looks at the wonderful finishes on the market and what will best suit your new kitchen.

It’s all about the finish! Your cabinetry finish can certainly add that wow factor to your kitchen renovation or revamp. But with so many to choose from, what will work the best for your kitchen?

When choosing a finish, it’s paramount to consider the overall use of the kitchen. Some finishes are harder to maintain that ‘fresh’ look than others (think water droplets and fingerprints), while others are extremely hard-wearing and durable for the ultra-busy household. If you do have a very active kitchen – cue the teenagers and little fingers – your choice of finish may vary from those kitchens that don’t tend to have so much foot, and finger traffic.

Cabinets for the kitchen can be finished in a variety of materials. And they come in a range of reflective qualities – matte, super-matte, ultra-matte, satin, semi-gloss, and high-gloss. We’re definitely seeing a huge trend towards matte finishes today, with very few requests for glossy surfaces in our kitchens.

Smart Materials – goodbye fingerprints!

Let’s be honest. Regardless of your chosen finish, there is one aspect that can be frustrating for kitchen owners – the dreaded fingerprint. For cabinets, this can be an ongoing problem, mainly due to how much our hands use these particular cupboards or drawers. It also depends on how much light you also have in your kitchen and the finish you choose to use.

Fingerprints can be a problem for many households when it comes to keeping our kitchens looking pristine and clean. Sadly if you have chosen a gloss finish, this may be completely unavoidable. Matte finishes, however, even in dark colours, can now be installed and actually repel the dreaded fingerprint! Plus they are super soft to the touch and many can be shaped and cut into any shape you desire.

There are now many anti-fingerprint finishes that come in a massive array of textures and colours. Proving that functionality and beauty can be easily combined so your new kitchen will always look its best. Some are also thermally repairable while being durable and waterproof. Nanoparticle technology has also become a bit hit with kitchen cabinets allowing them to be super easy to clean while repelling dust and stains. While some allow for antibacterial properties and offer scratch, stain, and water resistance. The new range of smart materials are ultra-hygienic and perfect for new and renovated kitchens.

Matte

Matte the most popular choice when it comes to the finish of kitchen cabinets and the technology behind many of the top products has certainly expanded over the past decade. Matte is extremely popular for busy kitchens, many surfaces are now scratch-proof, and fingerprint-proof, which makes them extremely durable. Perfectly suited to all kitchen types and designs, choosing a matte finish on your cabinets will add that depth and texture. Being matte, they also do not show as much dirt or fingerprints as their super glossy cousins, making them a popular choice for families.

Super Matte & Ultra Matte

Fingerprints, scratches, and scuffs are a thing of the past with super-matte and ultra-matte finishes, making them a top choice on kitchen cabinets. Super and ultra-matte finishes also have an excellent textural quality. Many are super soft and look absolutely stunning in any kitchen setting. These finishes are certainly taking over in the popularity stakes with many high-end luxurious kitchens opting for the super-matte and ultra-matte look. They offer a warm and inviting essence to cabinetry that ooze supreme elegance. Plus they can highlight other surfaces in your kitchen – like stainless steel appliances and hardware – think statement handles and knobs. Matte can also stand the test of time, not only functionally but also aesthetically.

Sensational Satin

The in-between finish of matte and high-gloss, these surfaces have some reflective qualities without the textural components that matte can offer. They can be slightly easier to clean than matte finishes and will allow light to easily bounce from the surface to make areas seems larger. However, like gloss finishes, they can show scratches and imperfections easily.

Semi-Gloss & High-Gloss 

Super gloss finishes were popular in decades past but we haven’t seen any real interest in this look for quite some time. While an ultra-glossy kitchen certainly is a dazzle for the eyes and packs a visual punch in kitchen design, they are more prone to scratches so care must be taken to avoid any harsh wear and tear on this finish.

A gloss finish is hugely reflective and adds that opulent feature to many kitchens. High-gloss white-on-white can give an element of space, and that timeless appeal. It’s this reflectiveness that is appealing to smaller kitchens as they can reflect light and make the kitchen seem open and large. Semi-gloss is not as reflective as high-gloss but will still retain many of the benefits that high-gloss cabinetry has.

High-gloss can also show water marks and fingerprints easily, so cleaning often will be required to ensure your kitchen looks flawless. If your kitchen is drenched in natural direct light UV clouding can also be a problem with this finish, depending on its application – lacquer vs acrylic.

With the right professional advice you can choose the perfect finish for your kitchen and lifestyle. Drop into one of our four Melbourne kitchen showrooms today to discuss your renovation dreams!