Creating a timeless kitchen requires the right features, which might leave you wondering, are glass-fronted kitchen cabinets still on trend? While they certainly fit the aesthetic of traditional style, are they still the go-to, or is there a different design that feels more up-to-date and current?
There are a lot of kitchen cabinet ideas to consider when designing a kitchen, and the style you choose will impact the feel and aesthetic of your scheme. While opting for cabinets that complement your interior design style is key, you don't want to end up with a space that feels dated.
So, are glass-fronted kitchen cabinets still on trend? We've turned to interior designers and kitchen experts to find out whether there's still a place in kitchen design for this classic cabinet style, and how to make it feel stylish and elevated.
Are glass-fronted kitchen cabinets still on trend?
They may have fallen out of the mainstream for a while – around the time more contemporary, minimalist designs were at the forefront of kitchen trends – but it seems there is a bit of a glass-fronted kitchen cabinet revival emerging at the moment.
'Glass-fronted cabinets are most definitely still on trend and we love using them in projects. They look great in a kitchen whether it's for displaying your treasured pottery collection for all to admire or for softening the overall impact of a block of cabinetry color,' says Jayne Everett, creative director at Naked Kitchens.
It's not just their aesthetic qualities that appeal, but their practical ones, too. 'Glass finishes maximize the flow of light into darker corners. Cabinets take up a large amount of space, so having glass-fronted doors can break up the block. Like mirrored surfaces, glass inserts create an illusion of depth and increase the perception of square footage, which is a bonus in smaller kitchens,' says kitchen designer Tom Howley.
In larger spaces, you don't have to worry so much about feeling overwhelmed by cabinetry, but in small kitchens, making a minor change to the upper cabinets can make the space instantly feel brighter and more spacious.
And while glass-fronted kitchen cabinets suit small spaces, they also work particularly well in certain kitchen styles and aesthetics. More traditional kitchens, from farmhouse to cottage, or even rustic spaces, can really benefit from glass-fronted cabinetry, adding timeless appeal and a bit of breathing space from all the built-in surfaces.
Plus, glass offers a wonderful opportunity to add interest and texture to a scheme. 'Glazing adds an interesting layer of material into the design making it super easy to see the contents, if this is the desired effect. If not then reeded glass can be used to diffuse the items housed within,' says Jayne.
5 ways to tastefully introduce glass-fronted kitchen cabinets
Glass-fronted cabinets can work well in a multitude of interior design styles – it's simply a case of finding the right way to introduce them. From tall cabinets to eye-catching features, there's a design to suit every kitchen scheme.
1. Opt for fluted glass
Opting for plain glass on your cabinetry works beautifully, especially if you want to create a display cabinet for your favorite tableware, but if you still want to retain a sense of hidden storage, fluted glass is a great option.
Fluted glass cabinets add a fun, vintage feel – and while you can still see through them, they offer a blurred effect that means you don't have to keep every shelf totally tidy and 'display-ready.'
This kitchen is a beautiful example, where fluted glass has been introduced instead of solid cabinet doors on floor to ceiling storage. It instantly breaks up the bulkiness of the wood, and ties in wonderfully with the fluted wood detail on the kitchen island.
2. Frame a cooker with glass-fronted kitchen cabinets
Choosing glass-fronted kitchen cabinets doesn't mean every cupboard has to be glass. Instead, introducing one or two with a glass front can add a lovely feature in a kitchen, especially if you use them to create a sense of symmetry.
'We love to design either a bank of glazed wall cabinets or place them on either side of a cooker hook, which looks gorgeous and timeless,' says Jayne, a design that is demonstrated perfectly in this kitchen that features two glass-fronted upper cabinets.
Opting for a less is more approach allows them to have their moment, and feel like a special feature. It can also aid in creating a design that feels more bespoke and caters better for the way you use your space.
3. Introduce an element of vintage
If you're going for the old-meets-new look, glass-fronted kitchen cabinets can elevate the design, especially if you introduce something vintage or antique. Whether it's an upcycled kitchen island or an old medicine cabinet, they can add abundant character to a scheme.
'I would go for slim, glazed, and big cabinets, as a good starting point. Stubby, deep ones can be quite ungainly and look a little top-heavy. Use your wall cupboards as statement pieces, maybe vintage, but always pretty or elegant rather than functional,' says Helen Parker, creative director at deVOL.
If you do opt for an antique or vintage piece, display it away from areas of the kitchen that experience lots of heat or dampness to ensure it stays in good condition – if you do want to use it in a high-traffic area, consider upcycling it with stronger glass.
4. Paint the inside of the cabinets for an unexpected pop of color
Most people associate glass-fronted kitchen cabinets with classic, timeless design. And while this is true, they also open up the opportunity to create bold, statement designs, like in this kitchen, where the inside of the cabinetry has been painted in a bright color.
'The interior of the glazed cabinets can be painted with a pop of color for a real fun, personal touch. This adds great interest to the look of the kitchen and is very easy to achieve. You can be bold with the choice of color or just have a contrast to the dominant cabinetry scheme,' says Jayne.
Pink is the chosen color used inside these glass-fronted cabinets, which contrasts beautifully with the green tiles and dark wood used throughout the rest of the scheme. The hue is tied into the rest of the kitchen design by the addition of the pink stool and matching shade on the light fixtures.
5. Add glass to a kitchen island
Adding glass to upper cabinets or large cupboards, although the most obvious, is not the only way to introduce the trend. In fact, more and more we are seeing people introduce glass-fronted cabinets to kitchen islands, especially in open-plan kitchens.
'It's very on trend to use glass-fronted cabinets on an island to transition into a living room area – though the glass must always be toughened. Having the glazed cabinets with specific styling looks great to flow from the living room through to the kitchen,' says Jayne.
The glass instantly softens the appearance of the kitchen island, adding homey appeal and creating a more cohesive flow between a kitchen area and the more cozy living space attached.
Glass-fronted kitchen cabinets are very much still on trend – rather than a kitchen filled with glass, it's about curating a scheme that suits your space and aesthetic, with glass cabinetry that feels cohesive, rather than overwhelming. Whether you opt for glass on an island to bring an open-plan space together or introduce glass-fronted cabinets to frame a range cooker, there are plenty of ways to make this revived trend feel new again.
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