Creating a timeless kitchen requires the right functionality, which is why you might be wondering: are glass kitchen cabinets still in style? While glass kitchen cabinets certainly fit the aesthetic of a traditional style, are they still mainstream, or is there another design out there that is more modern and contemporary?
There are many kitchen cabinet ideas to consider when designing your kitchen. The style you choose will affect the feel and aesthetic of your kitchen. It's important to choose cabinets that fit your interior design style, but you don't want to end up with a space that looks outdated.
So, are glass kitchen cabinets still in style? We spoke to interior designers and kitchen experts to find out if this classic cabinet style still has a place in kitchen design, and how you can make it look stylish and upscale.
Are glass kitchen cabinets still in style?
(Image courtesy of Naked Kitchens)
Kitchen cabinets may have fallen out of fashion for a while, when more contemporary, minimalist designs were at the forefront of kitchen trends, but now it seems that glazed kitchen cabinets are making a comeback.
“Glass cabinets are definitely still on trend and we love using them in our projects. They look great in a kitchen, whether you're showcasing your treasured ceramic collection for everyone or softening the overall impact of a block of colour in your cabinets,” says Jane Everett, creative director at Naked Kitchens.
It's not just the aesthetic that's appealing, but also the practicality: “Glass finishes maximise the amount of light that can get into dark corners. Cabinets take up a lot of space, so glass-fronted doors can make the space feel smaller. Like a mirrored surface, a glass insert creates the illusion of depth and makes the space feel larger, which is a welcome bonus in a small kitchen,” says kitchen designer Tom Howley.
(Image courtesy of deVOL)
In a larger space, you don't have to worry so much about cabinets feeling overwhelming, but in a small kitchen, making some small changes to your upper cabinets can instantly make the space feel brighter and larger.
Glazed kitchen cabinets are great for small spaces, but they also suit certain kitchen styles and aesthetics especially well. From farmhouse to cottage to even rustic spaces, more traditional kitchens can benefit from glazed cabinets, adding timeless appeal and a little breathing space from built-in surfaces.
Plus, glass offers a great opportunity to add interest and texture to your design. “Glass adds an interesting layer of material to your design and makes the contents much easier to see, if that's the desired effect. If not, fluted glass can be used to diffuse the items stored within,” says Jain.
5 Stylish Ways to Use Glass Kitchen Cabinets
Glazed cabinets complement a wide range of interior design styles – you just need to find the right way to introduce them. From tall cabinets to eye-catching features, there's a design to suit every kitchen scheme.
1. Choose fluted glass
(Image courtesy of Vipp)
Choosing plain glass for your cabinets can be beautiful, especially if you want to create a cabinet to display your favorite dishes, but if you still want to retain the feeling of hidden storage, fluted glass is the perfect option.
Fluted glass cabinets add a fun vintage feel, and because you can see through the glass, but it gives a blurry impression, you don't have to keep all the shelves perfectly tidy and “display-ready.”
This kitchen is a beautiful example of floor-to-ceiling storage with fluted glass instead of solid cabinet doors, which instantly eliminates the bulk of wood and pairs beautifully with the fluted wood detailing of the kitchen island.
2. Enclose your cookware in glass kitchen cabinets
(Image courtesy of Naked Kitchens)
Opting for glazed kitchen cabinets doesn't mean that all of your cupboards need to be glass – instead, introducing a glass cupboard or two can add a lovely feature to your kitchen, especially when used to create a sense of symmetry.
“I love the look of glass wall cabinets lined up in a row or on either side of utensil hooks; it's gorgeous and timeless in appearance,” says Jane, and the design is perfectly exemplified in this kitchen, which features two glass-fronted upper cabinets.
Choosing a “less is more” approach will allow those elements to feel like special features and will also allow you to create a design that feels more bespoke and better suits how you use the space.
3. Incorporate vintage elements
(Image courtesy of deVOL)
If you're going for a mix of old and new, glass kitchen cabinets can elevate your design, especially if they're vintage or antique. Whether it's an upcycled kitchen island or an old medicine cabinet, they can add a lot of character to your kitchen.
“Large, slimline, glass-fronted cabinets are a great place to start. Chunky, deep cabinets can look quite ungainly and a little high-slung. Use wall-mounted cabinets as a focal point, always for pretty and elegant pieces rather than functional,” says Helen Parker, creative director at deVOL.
If you choose antique or vintage furniture, display it away from the heat and moisture of your kitchen to keep it in good condition, and if you want it in a high-traffic area, consider upcycling it with stronger glass.
4. Paint the inside of your cabinets for an unexpected splash of color.
(Image courtesy of Naked Kitchens)
Many people associate glass kitchen cabinets with classic, timeless design, and while this is true, you can also create a bold, striking design by painting the inside of your cabinets a bright color, as in this kitchen.
“Painting the inside of your glass cabinets with a pop of colour is a really fun and unique touch. It will add lots of visual interest to your kitchen and is very easy to achieve. You can go for a bold colour choice or create a contrast with the main colour scheme of your cabinets,” says Jain.
The pink color chosen for the inside of the glass cabinets contrasts beautifully with the green tiles and dark wood used in the rest of the kitchen. The pink stools and light fixtures match the rest of the kitchen design.
5. Add glass to your kitchen island
(Image courtesy of deVOL)
Adding glass to upper cabinets or large cupboards is the most obvious, but this isn't the only way to incorporate the trend: in fact, more and more people are introducing glazed cabinets into their kitchen islands, especially in open-plan kitchens.
“Glass cabinetry over an island to connect to the living area is very on trend at the moment, but the glass should be tempered. A certain style of glass cabinetry can create a great flow from the living room to the kitchen,” says Jain.
Glass instantly softens the look of a kitchen island, adding a more homey appeal and creating a more consistent flow between the kitchen area and the more inviting living space that accompanies it.
Glazed kitchen cabinets are still on trend. Rather than filling your entire kitchen with glass, curate a scheme that suits your space and aesthetic, and ensure that your glass cabinets feel cohesive rather than oppressive. Whether you incorporate glass into your island to tie an open-plan space together, or introduce glazed cabinets to frame your range cooker, there are plenty of ways to make this revived trend feel fresh again.
