Kitchen Design
7 Ways to Make Your Glass Cabinets Shine
Accent your kitchen storage with lighting, color and architectural detail
Glass presents us with so many design choices in kitchen design today. I've noticed that a pair of doors above a bar area or some type of display cabinet have become almost commonplace. However, there is so much more we can do with glass that makes its presence in kitchen design an important option to consider. If you're looking to use some glass in your kitchen, here are some ways to make the glass something special.
Light the inside of glass cabinet doors to help show off what's in the cabinet. It is most common to use glass doors in a bar area or display cabinet. But, don't just put up some glass doors without thinking about what's inside. By placing lights inside the cabinetry and using glass shelving, you can really highlight your "fancy" glasses. This light is also perfect for creating a nightlight in a kitchen for a moody atmosphere.
Another great (and simple) bar area. Glass doors show off glasses and some prized champagne. By placing a cabinet panel on the drink refrigerator, all the attention is moved up to the display area.
Use the back of the cabinet to add some additional texture or color. In this black and white kitchen, the two upper cabinets with glass doors and the display cabinet to the right of the refrigerator are given special attention with a splash of lemon yellow inside.
Use glass (or wire in this case) in a more functional area for a completely different look. Admittedly, his one might be a problem for those of us who are a little OCD. However, if you are fastidious enough, an open pantry can be quite art-like. All it takes is a little arranging to make it really work.
Use glass to balance out other elements. In this elegant and traditional kitchen, the glass cabinetry on either side of the large vent hood help balance out the weight of the fixture by "stretching" the weight out. In a sense, it lessens the overall impact and makes all parts feel cohesive and unified.
Highlight an interesting architectural shape. The Gothic-inspired insets in the glass door would get lost if placed on top of a wood door. By placing a light inside these display cabinets, we can see the strong patterns of the filigree work.
In a slightly different vein, these glass cabinets are all about bringing different texture and shape to the doors that contrast with the strong grain pattern of the wood. By keeping all the dishes white inside the cabinets, it keeps the entire look from being too busy.
Glass doors lighten up an entire room by breaking up the surface. It's a well-known fact that if you have a large surface and you throw a different material in the mix, it helps break up the overall weight of everything. Glass upper cabinets were used to give everything a light visual weight in this quaint kitchen. The frosting on the glass helps hide what's behind the doors so it doesn't feel cluttered.
Use opaque glass for a completely different look. Few designers and even fewer homeowners have taken the risk is using an opaque glass in their designs. However, it can do something that neither translucent glass nor wood can do — it provides a super durable, high gloss surface. In this black and white kitchen, the reflective nature of the black glass uppers helps keep them from being too heavy. Besides, they're hot!
More Glass Inspired Ideabooks
Decorate With a Rainbow of Glass
Life in a Glass House
French Doors: Ooh La La
More Glass Inspired Ideabooks
Decorate With a Rainbow of Glass
Life in a Glass House
French Doors: Ooh La La