Is it the oldest trick in the design book? A very on trend and at the same time timeless approach, implementing glass within a design, it has a lot of strengths, seamlessly adding interest to expanses of cabinetry and can make your space feel more open. The options are also wonderfully diverse with a glass fronted design, it can be fitted on the wall, integrated into a dresser or freestanding unit, or even built into a kitchen island or cleverly used in a walk in pantry or wardrobe.
So what is the secret to making it work? Which type of glass? What to store inside? These are the things you need to consider, and the questions our design experts know the answer to. Here we have curated some lovely examples of bespoke glass-fronted cabinetry to get you thinking about the aesthetic advantages and many practicalities.
Glass-fronted kitchen cabinetry and furniture can significantly improve a kitchens functionality as the beauty of glass fronted kitchen cabinets is that they allow you to store and display kitchen items and tableware without them getting dirty. While open kitchen shelving continues to be a popular trend, the disadvantage is that any items you store there will be exposed to debris from the working kitchen and will require regular cleaning, however this is not with glass cabinetry.
Glazed cabinets can also have an impact on the look and feel of a kitchen as a whole, as they can make spaces feel lighter and more open whilst also contributing to the visual interest and feel of a room. While solid doors are good for concealing, they can feel quite bare and masculine, alternatively filling glass cabinets with beautiful objects instantly adds personality and a more interesting appeal.
One of the main decisions you’ll need to make is the type of glass you choose. The different choices will lend themselves best to different storage decisions and styles, and while there’s no specific ‘wrong’ answer, knowing where each is best used is your best bet. So whether you go for plain glass, frosted glass or reeded glass, its a decision to not take lightly and something our experts can assist with. “I love textured glass it not only creates a barrier for debris but allows you to see the form of the items kept within and offers a softness and texture for interest,” says our Senior Designer Lois Riley.
If you’re going to do glass kitchen cabinets, one thing to also consider, and people still sometimes overlook, is your kitchen lighting ideas. When used intelligently and properly considered, glass-fronted cabinets don’t just offer a way to break up a run of solid cabinetry but also contribute to accentuating the lighting scheme. “The aesthetics of a space can be further enhanced through the introduction of soft mood lighting, which adds warmth and further interest to a space,” our Senior Project Coordinator Nikita advises.
Sliding doors, whether glass kitchen cabinets or not, serve an extra useful purpose when used on countertop cabinets. Opting for standard doors means that if you want to use the countertop in front, you’d need to clear the space every time you need to open the door. With an alternative idea such as a sliding door, you get easy access, while getting to keep the beautiful glass doors as in this design. It’s particularly useful in a small kitchen, too, where every inch of both countertop space and storage counts.
Traditional or modern design, there’s ideas and inspiration you can choose to make use of the characteristics of glazed cabinetry in so many spaces and if you’re considering incorporating this into a new project then you’re in the right place.
We have showrooms in Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne and on the Kings Road in London, and we welcome you in to discuss any of your design ideas in the kitchen and beyond.
Get in touch today to find out more