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Original poster

Are gloss kitchens... "cheap"

80 replies

Tractortod · 13/03/2019 12:26

I don't like gloss kitchens as a general rule of thumb, simply because I preference Matt colours and surfaces.

However I've found drawn to a certain colour kitchen in a gloss finish which I think only works in gloss, helps with the light and airy feel of it all.

I've been ruminating on why I dislike gloss and... this is where I'll like offend lots of people.. I think for me, it doesn't give off a 'high end' feel a (for examle) well fitted, coloured shaker kitchen does.

We don't own an expensive classy house... so it's not snobbery as such, I can't really find the words to articulate...perhaps because the displays in the lower end price bracket (Ikea.. b&q etc) feature a lot of slab gloss, lots of newbuilds and investor homes on RM always seem to have the default cream gloss unit set up.

I'm too scared to ask any friends genuine opinions and lots do own gloss kitchens so it would be breathtakingly rude. So i'm anonymously putting it to MN and be well prepped for a flaming.

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NotSuchASmugMarriedNow1 · 13/03/2019 12:29

Yes i'd say gloss kitchens were cheap.

If you're looking for something a bit more upmarket have you thought about www.poggenpohl.com/

SileneOliveira · 13/03/2019 12:33

My starting point when looking for a new kitchen was "definitely nothing white and shiny".

Hate the gloss look. A friend who paid a lot of money for a shiny, white kitchen finds that it's a nightmare to keep clean too with fingermarks.

SnugglySnerd · 13/03/2019 12:44

I don't like them either. I just imagine how every single fingerprint etc would show up and it would drive me insane! My friend has a gloss kitchen plus a toddler and 3 cats. Somehow all the doors, surfaces and even the floor are always gleaming. It must be a full-time job wiping everything!

Whatsnewpussyhat · 13/03/2019 13:09

We have a black gloss kitchen which was already in when we bought house.
Can't wait to rip it out. The bloody marks/smears/fingerprints etc are a nightmare and the light shining on the shows up everything.

Original poster
Tractortod · 13/03/2019 13:11

Do you think the finger print issue is predominant on the darker colours?

I know in my heart I will likely regret it if I opt for gloss. Part of me wondered if it was possible to 'lift' it with high quality work tops/handles etc. I think most likely not...

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Shelley54 · 13/03/2019 13:12

We have a dark grey gloss kitchen and I love it. Sorry to all those who think it’s cheap or a nightmare.

sugarcubed · 13/03/2019 13:14

We have white gloss, can’t say I’ve noticed fingerprints or marks. Easy to wipe down and keep clean.

GoldenHour · 13/03/2019 13:15

We have a gloss kitchen that came with the house, matte would be my choice too but our kitchen is fine. It's light coloured but we have no issues with finger prints etc, in fact I find it much easier to clean, things just wipe off. When we were looking to buy a different new house gloss was the higher spec and more expensive option.

Notyetthere · 13/03/2019 13:22

Do you think the finger print issue is predominant on the darker colours

Yes dark gloss is even worse for showing up every mark

I have black glossy floor tiles in my kitchen, came with the house they never look clean for long. Every speck of dust, crumb, fluff stands out

bangwhistle · 13/03/2019 13:32

I have a white gloss kitchen and I think I have successfully 'lifted' it with high spec work surfaces - I used concrete coloured resin and juxtaposed it with oak clad wall units in the other side

HotGingerPudding2 · 13/03/2019 13:35

I’m planning a replacement kitchen at the moment and our existing 14 year old one, that we did choose and install, is cream gloss. It was the height of good taste at the time!

It has lasted fairly well with only a few minor chips at the top of the integrated dishwasher door. It is easy to wipe clean and showing fingerprints has never been a big issue on the light doors. I do think it is a somewhat dated look though and agree that it is often the default option in new builds. I really don’t like the gloss handleless kitchen trend or strange glossy wood effects.

I fitted plain matt biscuit coloured units from DIY’s basic range in my utility room two years ago and much prefer them to my existing kitchen units.

justasking111 · 13/03/2019 13:38

A gloss convert here. We had bespoke fitted kitchen at last house oak. Bought a new house with a cream gloss kitchen. OMG with two dogs a cat an messy kids, the gloss just shrugs off dog and cat hairs, easy to wipe, I used to be on my hands and knees cleaning the grooves in my posh kitchen with a toothbrush.

I was going to rip it all out when we settled in but now no way.

youngestisapsycho · 13/03/2019 13:39

We have white gloss in our small, cheap kitchen!
I like it. It never shows fingerprints or marks....

hilbil21 · 13/03/2019 13:45

I've got a grey gloss kitchen and I'm not sure whether it looks cheap or not now lol. We have engineered oak flooring and a fairly expensive quartz worktop. I can attach a photo if that helps

GemmeFatale · 13/03/2019 13:49

We have white gloss kitchen. I find it easy to keep clean and it’s miles better for us then the old one.

Personally hate shaker style.

Horses for courses isn’t it.

Original poster
Tractortod · 13/03/2019 13:57

Mixed bag!

We have two dogs so am concerned about scratching regardless of what doors we end up with.

We put oak into the old house because well, 15 years ago that was the done thing but now dated, and I thought gloss was too really.... shaker seems to be the only thing really standing the test of time?

The gloss kitchen that has caught my eye is a light greeny/blue. Perhaps a marble worktop?

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Original poster
Tractortod · 13/03/2019 13:57

Hilbil yes please!

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HotGingerPudding2 · 13/03/2019 14:00

GemmeFatale Definitely horses for courses. Also, because a kitchen is something you normally live with for a fair few years, I think it’s natural to want something quite different when you are choosing a new one.

mimibunz · 13/03/2019 14:01

bangwhistle Would you mind posting a picture? Your’s sounds exactly like what I’m planning to do! Smile

Ledkr · 13/03/2019 14:07

I have grey gloss and it's lovely. I have noticed it gets another finger printy on the parts that you touch to open it (no handles) but I just wipe it when I wipe down the tops and it's fine.
I had shaker before and I think this looks much more modern and contemporary.

Pinkbells · 13/03/2019 14:09

Interested to read this! We're just about to choose a kitchen for our rental. Does it look cheap, if so then I might have to rethink!

QuietlyQuaffing · 13/03/2019 14:44

There's a newish sort of gloss finish that's a glass effect. You often see it in greyish blue or greyish green. I'm not normally a gloss fan but I do like that style. It's quite expensive in Wickes and Magnet IIRC but cheaper end in DIY Kitchens (Altino I think).

QuietlyQuaffing · 13/03/2019 14:46

Also what worktop are you planning with it? Gloss cupboards, gloss worktops and shiny tiles/splashback would be too much for me. We went gloss tiles and worktop, for ease of cleaning, and matt cupboards to break it up. Of course you don't have to do tiles or splashback.

hilbil21 · 13/03/2019 14:53

@Tractortod we knocked through between a small kitchen and a dining room so the layout is not exactly what I would have picked if I could have chosen anything but I like the kitchen itself!

Are gloss kitchens... "cheap"
Are gloss kitchens... "cheap"
Are gloss kitchens... "cheap"
LifeChangingMagicOfDoingSodAll · 13/03/2019 15:01

I've just had a quote for a "cheap" gloss kitchen.
It was not cheap!