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Matt finished cabinets in the kitchen pros and cons

December 18, 2022 | Updated on: December 18, 2022

matte lacquered kitchen cupboards and granite countertop in the kitchen

If you are currently renovating your kitchen or still planning and making design decisions for your kitchen renovation, you’ve probably thought about your countertop and cabinet finishes. The most common finish for kitchen cabinets is semi-gloss, high-gloss, and matt. Each of these finishes has its own sets of advantages and disadvantages.

Homeowners might prefer one over the other because of a variety of reasons. It can be because of the kitchen’s interior style and the advantages of the finish material. In this blog, we will be discussing the modern matt kitchen finish.

Kitchen Cabinets

There are different types of matt kitchen cabinets, but the most popular and commonly seen in homes are matt handleless kitchen cabinets. Handleless matt kitchen refers to a kitchen cabinet without handles. The mechanism of opening and closing of such cabinets is a rail that runs behind the door or drawer, giving fingers something to hold and pull open.

What are the pros and cons of a matt finish kitchen? Are matt kitchen cupboards a good idea? Which type of finish would be best for you? All of these questions about matt finish cabinets will be answered by the end of this blog. So, keep on reading!

Matt finish for kitchen cabinets

black faucet, white worktop and blue matt cabinets in the kitchen combining

A clear definition of matt cabinets is cabinets with a dull surface opposite to a glossy one. Matt kitchen doors are not as reflective as glossy surfaces. Instead, they give off a clean and edgy vibe which is ideal when creating minimalist and modern kitchen spaces.

Matt finishes in the kitchen are not only utilized for cabinets. They are also used in worktop surfaces. Matt kitchen worktops are available in a variety of colors. Homeowners who want to create a clean and minimalist aesthetic in their kitchen spaces would prefer matt black kitchen worktop over white glossy ones.

If you have an existing kitchen cabinet that you want to transform into matt cabinets, you can buy matt cabinet paint. When painting kitchen cabinets, matte paints allow you to explore and mix colors. If you want to veer away from the common natural wood grain cabinet appeal, you can buy matt acrylic kitchen paint that is pastel or earth-tone for a vibrant yet subtle aesthetic.

If painting your kitchen cabinets with a new matt paint color is not your thing, you can purchase ready-to-assemble matt laminate finish kitchen cabinets at the Cut2Size online store. There are also matt lacquer kitchen cabinets that you can find if you prefer lacquer material over laminate. Since matt cabinets are gaining popularity right now in both large and small kitchens, cabinet manufacturing stores are producing such types of cabinets to meet the demands of homeowners and designers.

Matt kitchen cabinets best colors

white shaker matt kitchen cabinets with steel appliances

Most homeowners think that matt finish cabinets are neutral in colors and shades. When they hear about the matt finish, many associates it with the colors black or white. While black and white are the most common matt finish colors, this does not mean that matt finishes are only available in black and white for a kitchen.

Matt finishes can be of any color. They can be pink, blue, green, or any other vibrant color you can think of. But their appeal or surface is not reflective. They’re often described as dull, soft, and subdued. Below, we will discuss the 4 most popular matt colors for kitchen cabinets. 

  • Matt black kitchen cabinets

The typically harsh aspect of black is softened by a matte texture, which also gives both large and small spaces a distinctive vibe. It might give the impression that a tiny kitchen is more opulent and a larger space is dramatic but still inviting. A matt black cabinet gives the kitchen a dreamy soft look that is very popular right now in aesthetic condo units and tiny apartments. 

Aside from the aesthetic that matt black cabinets bring, homeowners also prefer this color because black matt kitchen cabinets are easier to maintain than those with a lighter color. To create uniformity, designers also incorporate matt black in the kitchen island, either in the form of base cabinet doors or the kitchen island worktop. Another classification of a matt black color is matt anthracite kitchen. Anthracite is a hard, compact kind of coal with a submetallic sheen sometimes referred to as hard coal and black coal. This is the material that is used to create a matt finish.

  • Matt grey kitchen cabinets

We all know that grey is a popular color in the kitchen. People who prefer the soft and subtle appeal of a matt finish can go for a modern matt grey kitchen finish. Matt grey kitchen cupboards give kitchen spaces a clean and modest look. Grey matt kitchen doors for cabinets can easily be purchased in standard door sizes.

Matt grey kitchen doors are classified into two shades. There are the light grey matt kitchen doors which are utilized in minimalist and contemporary kitchens, and the other one is the dark grey matt kitchen which is ideal for creating traditional or transitional kitchen interiors.

For modern kitchens, matt grey handleless kitchen cabinets are highly recommended by designers. One common classification of matt grey color is graphite matt. Although it is quite a different tone from dark grey due to the inclusion of blue, graphite color is frequently referred to as dark grey. Despite the variations between the two, experts say it is still comparable to charcoal grey.

Graphite matt kitchen is the best option if you are trying to blend traditional and contemporary interior concepts. Matt graphite kitchen looks best when accentuated with elegant metallic hardware. Matt grey and white kitchen cabinets also look good when paired. They effectively complement each other and create a soft and relaxing visual vibe. 

two tone grey and white matte kitchen cabinets on the kitchen

  • Matt white kitchen cabinets

White is a common color in the kitchen. It is the base color that almost all kitchens have. There are two things to which a white matt kitchen can be applied in the home. These are glossy, and matt. When looking for colors and ideas to paint your kitchen, you probably face a flat white paint finish. This is the kind of finish that is utilized when creating white matt kitchen cabinets. Matt white kitchen doors create soft and minimalist aesthetics, as frequently seen in Scandinavian, contemporary, transitional, and modern interiors.

Matt white shaker kitchen doors are used in rustic chic or modern farmhouse kitchens. They create a warm and welcoming ambiance in the kitchen as opposed to the clinical and sterile effect that glossy cabinets bring. Matt white kitchen units are available in ready-to-assemble parts in most cabinet manufacturing stores. Most rta white cabinets are matt white handleless kitchen cabinets and doors. If you are skeptical about incorporating bold and bright colors into your kitchen, opt for a modern matt white kitchen first.

  • Matt blue kitchen cabinets

Finishes with a deep shade of blue are perfect for conventional, classic kitchen designs. A kitchen feels colder and cozier when combined with white and dark matt blue kitchen cabinets. Blue is considered a timeless color, and it is also very versatile. You can easily mix and match it with other colors, whether bright or neutral. If you want to add color to your kitchen, navy blue for kitchen cabinets is the best color to incorporate to.

  • Matt cashmere kitchen

Cashmere is a combination of orange and brown colors. It has pink undertones and is soft and milky. Cashmere is a great color choice if you want a beige aesthetic kitchen. This type of kitchen is often minimalist in style. Other interior kitchen styles that use the cashmere color are Scandinavian, Farmhouse, and Rustic chic. 

Gloss vs matt kitchen cabinets

white matte kitchen cupboards and wood base cabinets on the kitchen

Choosing between matt or Gloss kitchen cabinets can be challenging because both are ideal for kitchens, whether modern or traditional. If you think about which one to choose between gloss or matt kitchen cabinets, you should first know the advantages and disadvantages of each. We created a comparison table for you to compare gloss and matt kitchen cabinets. 

Gloss kitchen cabinets

matt kitchen cabinets

Gloss kitchen cabinets are shiny and reflective. This makes kitchens look a bit more vibrant and lighter.

Matt kitchen cabinets are ideal for creating subtle and soft interior styles. The colors are usually subdued, which evokes a clean yet warm aesthetic.

Gloss kitchen cabinets give the kitchen an elegant and sophisticated appearance.

Matt kitchen cabinets, on the other hand, are for creating warmth and a homey ambiance.

Gloss kitchen cabinets tend to be pricey.

Matt kitchen cabinets are more affordable.

Dents, marks, scratches, and fingerprints are more noticeable or visible on gloss surfaces.

Matt kitchen cabinets are not prone to marks, scratches, and fingerprints. But if they go get stains or scratches, they can be harder to remove. 

FAQs

Article by:

Valentina Melnikova - Lead Designer at Cut2Size

valentina@cut2size.ca

Office 403.366.7411

Hi there! I’m a millwork designer and an owner of a kitchen cabinet manufacturing company. With a team of professionals, I work on designing and manufacturing high-end millwork. Combining professional designing and manufacturing skills is what allows us to develop and translate our plans into a reality through our uniqueness and exclusive ideas. Our employees are highly skilled and creative thinkers that also utilize their professionalism and experience to take millwork to the next level. I’m very familiar with the industry and I take on each project from the design to the final product. With that said, if you’re looking for design advice or technician help, you’re in the right place.