Matt or gloss kitchen? How to choose
In short
There is no “right” choice between a matt and a glossy front. There is the choice that suits your own space, the light it has and the time you want to spend on cleaning. And something few people know: gloss is a matter of the lacquer. Fenix and bakelite from the houses we curate are matt.
- Matt: hides fingerprints, discreet and contemporary, less day-to-day upkeep.
- Glossy: bright, visually “enlarges” the space, needs more regular cleaning.
- In the palettes of our houses: 317 matt lacquer shades from 7 houses, 80 glossy from 5.
It is not a material, it is a surface
A common misconception is that “matt” and “glossy” are two different materials. They are not. They are two surface treatments, and the same kitchen model, in the same colour, feels radically different depending on which you choose. The GF Interiors Flat, for example, offers the same palette of 22 colours in both matt and glossy lacquer.
There is, however, a limit you should know from the start. Gloss lives in the lacquer and in glass. In the Febal, Gentili and Sira price lists there is no glossy laminate, glossy HPL or glossy Fenix, while glossy lacquer appears dozens of times. We explain this in detail in the article bakelite or melamine. That is why the question “matt or glossy?” always comes together with the choice of material, not after it.
How each finish behaves
The difference is simple: matt absorbs light, glossy reflects it. Everything else follows from this one difference.
Matt
- Absorbs light, does not reflect
- Hides fingerprints and marks far more effectively
- A “velvety” feel, especially in the soft-touch versions
- The most widespread: the vast majority of the shades we offer are matt
- Less day-to-day upkeep
Gloss
- Reflects light, a bright presence
- Visually “enlarges” the space
- Depth of colour from many coats of lacquer
- Ideal for smaller or darker kitchens
- Shows fingerprints more, needs slightly more regular cleaning
The depth of glossy lacquer is no accident: on Pedini's glossy finishes the door is brushed and receives six coats of lacquer per side. At the other extreme, the Fenix is a new-generation ultra-matt laminate. Its surface micro-scratches are repaired with heat, and the Gentili Time in Fenix Nero, without knobs, you can touch in our showroom.
See Pedini's lacquer finishes →
What to think about before you decide
Three factors really matter, and we always discuss them with you in the first design study.
- The light in the space. In darker or interior spaces a glossy front visually “opens up” the room. In an already bright space matt gives a calmer picture, without tiring reflections.
- The size of the kitchen. In a small or interior kitchen we usually suggest glossy. In larger spaces matt can afford to be simply discreet.
- Cleaning time. If you want less day-to-day care, matt is more “forgiving”. If you do not mind an extra pass of the cloth, the glossy surface rewards you visually.
Two kitchens we designed show the difference. In Glyfada we chose Gentili Time “Bianco Gesso” matt lacquer with slim black bar handles. In Ilioupoli, Febal Origina glossy lacquer in Avorio with a gola groove, for a bright, clean composition with a bar island.
You do not have to choose just one
Many of the most successful compositions combine the two. A common solution is matt wall cabinets with a glossy island, so the island works as a focal point. Another is a matt kitchen body with glossy details on a shelf or a cladding panel, for a subtle contrast that does not “shout”.
The combination also works from room to room. In our project in Berlin the Pedini Arkè Shape kitchen is in white glossy lacquer and the Febal Casa Momenti wardrobes in matt lacquer in cream. We design such combinations with you in 3D, so you can see them before you decide. For all the shades, from whites and creams to anthracite, see our guide to lacquer kitchens.
The finish goes hand in hand with the material: see the full kitchen materials guide.
Frequently asked questions
Does glossy show fingerprints a lot?
It shows them more easily than matt, because the reflective surface highlights every mark. It is not a matter of quality, it is a matter of slightly more regular cleaning, which most people consider a small trade-off for the brightness it offers.
Matt or glossy for a small kitchen?
In a small or interior kitchen we usually suggest glossy, because it reflects light and visually “opens up” the space. With good lighting and a light palette, a matt kitchen can work equally well.
Is there glossy Fenix or glossy bakelite?
Not in the houses we curate. In the Febal, Gentili and Sira price lists there is no glossy laminate, HPL or Fenix. If you want gloss, the right conversation is about lacquer.
Does matt scratch more easily?
Not inherently. Scratch resistance depends mainly on the quality of construction, not on whether the surface is matt or glossy. What changes is how much a micro-scratch “shows”: on a glossy surface it is often more visible because of the reflection.
Can I combine matt and glossy in the same kitchen?
Yes, it is one of the most popular solutions we design, e.g. matt wall cabinets with a glossy island. Every kitchen is different, which is why we design with you in 3D, so you can see the exact combination in your own space before you decide.
Shall we design it together?
Come to our showroom in Neo Psychiko — we design and cost your kitchen together. The 3D design for the presentation is free.
Book an appointment267 Mesogeion Avenue, Neo Psychiko, Athens · +30 210 674 8332