skip to main content

Glass fronts for cabinets - thoughts?

13 years ago

Hi all,

We're going with with cherry cabinets in our kitchen and I'm a little worried about them looking too dark or heavy. So I'm inclined to put glass fronts in the uppers. I've never had glass fronts and I've heard some people say they're a nightmare to keep clean, you can see all the junk. Any thoughts/tips on the topic would be appreciated!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

eustacem
13 years ago
Maybe instead of doing all glass uppers, you could do one or two just to break things up. I'm in the midst of designing our own kitchen, and I wanted to put one on each end of the long wall to display my nice china, but wasn't able to make it work out. My wedding china is one thing, but my day to day corelle with the mismatched kid plates and the plastic fast food cups that my husband loves to save...not really the design aesthetic I was going for!
cienza
13 years ago
I only got glass in the cabinetry by the dining table area. First, it separated the eating area from the prep area (our space is one big room). Second, my husband didn't want to eat by 'storage boxes' as he calls them. Third, I wanted to be able to show off my Mommom's wedding china and our wedding gifts that used to be on display in our hutch. Basically, I use the glass fronts only for display with the exception of my Mommom's china which is our 'everyday' dinnerware. We gave her our word that it would be used, never boxed and never, ever in the attic. Weirdly enough, every other set of dishes has received cracks, chips, or been shattered. Not a nick on hers. I got only clear glass rather than a patterned glass. The patterned glass was alot more expensive and you can't see thru it without a light behind it. Even then, the objects are obscured. For me, that would have been a waste of money. I don't put any 'junk' in the glass fronts, it is all hidden behind the solid doors.
Related Discussions
Pantry Lighting
Q
Comments (1)
Not necessarily. You could ask jem199 about her source of led strips.
...See More
Glass door cabinetry
Q
Comments (53)
Personally, I am a huge fan of glass. To me, they are like windows --- there cannot be too many. In my old kitchen, I had all glass uppers, and I used tension rods to hold sheers inside because i was worried about keeping the interiors staged. It worked well for me. This time around I went with all glass again, sans curtains (though I made sure the cabinetmaker made them in such a way that curtains could be added). Since this house is less formal and I wanted a utilitarian/scullery/country look, i didn't feel curtains were needed. It does help that most of my dishes are white, with some Anthropologie stuff thrown in, and that I like them (btw, why should you have dishes you dont like or that dont go?). I do have what I call "the ugly mug drawer" for things I dont want to throw out but dont care to have in my tableau. Most foodstuffs are in the breakfast room (which has solid cabs) or in the separate pantry. This is actually an old photo without everything in my cabs, but here goes. Lastly, ive included a link on organizing shelves so they look nice. Here is a link that might be useful: good tips for open or visible storage
...See More
Re-thinking getting glass in cabinets...thoughts?
Q
Comments (17)
At the summer house, there's two upper cabinets with glass panes, separate from the rest of the cabinets with solid wood doors. I use it to hold barware (highballs, old fashioned, wine, pilsner, etc.) I like it b/c it's clear that's where the bar area is. The booze is in the lower cabinet. I do have a row of vintage pitchers on the top-most shelf for a little color. You could dedicate a function to one or both of your cabinets to take advantage of the glass. Stacking coffee cups with saucers looks good or buy a cabinet shelf to make stacked items look neater. Meh, just a thought. I prefer a modern a style, which I don't see too much of on GW, so I tend towards clean lines, less decorative knick-knacks behind glass myself.
...See More
“Paint” inside of glass front cabinets?
Q
Comments (16)
I’m not much of a pattern person. So I’m not sure wallpaper makes a lot of sense for me. Especially as high up as these are and as small as they are. A small patter would just get lost and a big pattern wouldn’t show very well, I don’t think. If I went with painted posterboard or foamboard, how could that damage the cabinets? The cabinets are not lighted and running wiring to get them lighted isn’t worth the cost to me. I actually like repeats of objects. If I did the enamel pitchers, I would vary the colors. Really though I think it’s too much money for me at this point for something that would be entirely for looks.
...See More
artemis78
13 years ago
We mapped out our storage first, and then decided where to use glass. (We ended up stacking our upper cabinets and putting it in the top cabinets.) Generally, I would use it where you plan to store dishes or other "pretty" things, but not where you plan to store pantry items. (Who wants to look at oatmeal??) But some people use it across the board and seem to like it fine. We also skipped the upper cabinets all together on one wall where it would have been very overwhelming, and are just using open shelves there.
vampiressrn
13 years ago
I have a whole row (6 doors) of glass fronts on one wall and love them. But they are mostly decor oriented on the top 2 shelves (hard to reach area) as I have my collection of Jadite Fire King displayed there. I don't really use those dishes and have the space so it works for me. The bottom two shelves are functional dishes that have a pink and green color scheme. I don't store any pantry items in those cabinets.

Related Stories

KITCHEN DESIGN 11 Great Alternatives to Glass-Front Cabinets

By Laura Gaskill

You may just break up with glass when you see these equally decorative but less fragile cabinet options

KITCHEN DESIGN 8 Beautiful Ways to Work Glass Into Your Kitchen Cabinets

By The Inman Company

Lighten up in the kitchen with see-through or glossy panes that bounce the sun's rays or show you've got nothing to hide

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen Confidential: Glass Cabinet Doors Are a Clear Winner

We look at 9 types of decorative panes and 8 places to use them

KITCHEN DESIGN Choose Your Kitchen Cabinet Glass

By Lisa Frederick

Textured? Frosted? Seeded? Find the cabinet glass style that will set off your kitchen to its best advantage

KITCHEN DESIGN New This Week: 4 Kitchen Design Ideas You Might Not Have Thought Of

By Mitchell Parker

A table on wheels? Exterior siding on interior walls? Consider these unique ideas and more from projects recently uploaded to Houzz

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Thoughtful Updates to an Outdated 1900s Home

By Danielle Sykes

Handmade art and DIY touches bring a modern touch to a classic Boston-area home

KITCHEN DESIGN How to Choose the Right Depth for Your Kitchen Sink

By Jennifer Ott Design

Avoid an achy back, a sore neck and messy countertops with a sink depth that works for you

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Casual, Thoughtful Design for a 1920s Bungalow

A couple turn a neglected, run-down home into a charming, comfortable place to raise their 4 children

CONTEMPORARY HOMES My Houzz: Living Simply and Thoughtfully in Northern California

By Hoi Ning Wong

Togetherness and an earth-friendly home are high priorities for a Palo Alto family

CRAFTSMAN DESIGN Houzz Tour: Thoughtful Renovation Suits Home's Craftsman Neighborhood

By Becky Harris

A reconfigured floor plan opens up the downstairs in this Atlanta house, while a new second story adds a private oasis

Sponsored

EK Interior Design

5 Reviews

TIMELESS INTERIOR DESIGN FOR ENDLESS MEMORIES

More Discussions

Nuage Quartzite - any water issues?

17

Kitchen Undermount Sink

14

What are these above my cabinets?

10

Need help with countertops!

10

Durability of Dekton long term

1