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Original poster

New kitchen - white gloss units a nightmare?

48 replies

Wigeon · 27/02/2011 21:00

Thinking of Howdens white gloss units for our new kitchen as DH reckons the white matt units (our original choice) looked a bit cheap in the flesh.

Are we mad? Do they (a) show every mark because they are glossy and (b) show every mark because they are white?

Or does it make your kitchen look really light and big?

Will have 2 small children by the time the kitchen is fitted (DD will be 3 and there will be a new baby), and am not planning on spending all my time cleaning the kitchen units!

OP posts:
deste · 27/02/2011 21:09

I have gloss white and it is lovely. Just needs a quick wipe and its clean again. Mind you I have no children in the house.

cece · 27/02/2011 21:11

I would say mine are the complete opposite. Easy to clean with just a quick wipe over. Plus I have 3 kids, including a toddler. Would go for them again.

CarGirl · 27/02/2011 21:12

I have white gloss units in the bathroom, love it. Will be having the same or cream when I do the kitchen.

freshmint · 27/02/2011 21:13

white gloss units getting v dated already I think

I would go for matt white or another matt colour - putty, grey etc

MmeLindt · 27/02/2011 21:16

I had white gloss and hated them. Every finger print showed up.

I suspect it is because I am a bit of a slattern and hated wiping them down. If you are not bothered that you will have to wipe the units daily, then go for it.

hoxtonchick · 27/02/2011 21:18

i have red gloss & love them. v practical.

CarGirl · 27/02/2011 21:21

Wigeon are you looking at Howdens range? Were you considering the Greenwich smooth?

cece · 27/02/2011 21:26

I disagree about having to wipe them down every day. Probably do mine about once a week or so and not necessarily very thoroughly. I find they don't mark that easily. My last house had matt shaker style units and they were awful to keep clean.

MmeLindt · 27/02/2011 21:34

cece
It felt like I was wiping them every day. It was probably less often. I do mine here not even once a month (told you I was a slattern).

CarGirl · 27/02/2011 21:37

MmeLindt you made the mistake of letting your dc in the kitchen Grin

I have wanted gloss for ages (since we moved in 9 years ago and am upset that they are very fashionable and even more upset that they are dropping out of fashion so soon)

Original poster
Wigeon · 27/02/2011 21:41

Thanks for all the replies - interesting split!

CarGirl - yes, it was Greenwich smooth in white which we were thinking of for the matt finish, but worried it looked a bit cheap. Do you have it? Is it nice?

The white gloss is the Glendevon white.

Argh freshmint - don't want it to date as intend to stay in this house for years and years and don't intend to re-do the kitchen ever- for a very long time!

OP posts:
freshmint · 27/02/2011 21:41

then I really really really wouldn't do white gloss
very noughties

MmeLindt · 27/02/2011 21:42

lol Cargirl.

I might actually consider it now, but at the time my DC were 3yo and a baby. Nightmare.

Original poster
Wigeon · 27/02/2011 21:42

What do we go for that is on the cusp of being fashionable, but not too fashionable and therefore won't date for a long time?!

OP posts:
CarGirl · 27/02/2011 21:43

No but my builder will give me trade price on Howden, I really want cream gloss but I'm worried now about it dating really quickly.

I want completely and utterly plain/smooth doors as I have a hideous dirt trap 80s kitchen with textured surface and triple ridges around the edge and the decor panel Hmm

traceybath · 27/02/2011 21:43

I agree with freshmint - they're up there I think with limestone bathrooms Wink [offends an awful lot of people]

MIL has them and spends all her time wiping them and sighing if the children go near them.

TheSecondComing · 27/02/2011 21:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Wigeon · 27/02/2011 21:46
OP posts:
freshmint · 27/02/2011 21:46

tumbled limestone tracey!!!

ergh

I would go for a putty/grey/greige or white matt finish or a wood but only if that was very good which at howdens it won't be so I'd stick to the former

Original poster
Wigeon · 27/02/2011 21:47

TheSecondComing - I think I have lurked on another kitchens thread you mentioned the peeling issue on - someone mentioned they had the same problem and it was because the builder hadn't taken the protective film off! Are you sure it's not that?!

OP posts:
CarGirl · 27/02/2011 21:48

If you clean our then the greay "marble" effect on the decor panel rubs off, but only partly. Not to mention the accent sort of royal/air force blue mix that they used on the kickboards and shelf edges.....

Everyone else get the howdens catalogue out and tell me what to buy!

CarGirl · 27/02/2011 21:51

What is "Saponetta" like in real life?

freshmint · 27/02/2011 21:53

no howdens catalogue sorry
do a quick web search to see what really high end companies are doing and that might get your eye into what is new and what you like

try bulthaup, roundhouse, seimatic, places like that

JFly · 27/02/2011 21:55

My IKEA white gloss units are 3.5 yrs old and I haven't had any problems with marking, finger prints or maintenance. I've been really happy with the finish. I have a toddler that regularly bashes his Cozy Coupe into the units, so it's had serious wear and tear.

I don't really see how a white kitchen would date necessarily, either. OK, gloss has been in fashion for a while, but I think it also depends on the worktop and other finishes/colours in the room. We went for a carrera marble worktop and it looks very sleek. Worktop cost more than units, but that's the beauty of IKEA, if you ask me!

Original poster
Wigeon · 27/02/2011 22:01

Thanks again for all your comments - going to bed but will check in again in the morning!

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