Anyone looking to buy a new kitchen faces a multitude of decisions during the planning stage: Which appliances should be integrated? How much storage space is needed? And last but not least: Which fronts should define the room? The surface in particular deserves special attention, as it influences not only the appearance but also the day-to-day maintenance. High-gloss, matte, wood or glass – every variant has its own advantages. While glossy and glass fronts appear modern and elegant, matte surfaces are easier to maintain, and wood creates a homely atmosphere. To ensure your kitchen is not only visually impressive but also fits your lifestyle, we at Möbel-Peeck are here to help you make the right choice at our furniture store in Mannheim and our furniture store in Worms. In this article, we will show you what you should look out for when selecting.
Table of Contents
- The most important points in brief
- Matte, high-gloss, wood, or glass – an overview of the properties
- Which kitchen front suits your lifestyle?
- Care and durability – how to keep your kitchen looking beautiful for a long time
- Conclusion: The perfect kitchen front for your home
The most important points in brief
- Matte, melamine-resin-coated, and textured fronts are easy to care for, more resistant to fingerprints, and ideal for families with children.
- High-gloss and glass fronts create an elegant atmosphere and make small rooms appear larger, but they require more frequent cleaning.
- Wood fronts bring naturalness and warmth to the kitchen and are durable if well maintained.
- The chosen kitchen front should match your living style, intensity of use, and maintenance preferences.
Matte, high-gloss, wood, or glass – an overview of the properties
The kitchen front defines the character of your kitchen. Each material brings with it specific properties that affect daily use.
Matte fronts impress with their timeless elegance and practical qualities. The velvety surface appears modern and understated at the same time. The biggest advantage: Fingerprints and light dirt are less noticeable, especially with textured fronts. This makes them the ideal choice for households where there is a lot of cooking. Matte surfaces are available in countless colors and material finishes – from lacquer and plastic to laminate. They fit perfectly with a minimalist or Scandinavian furnishing style. However, a slight drawback is that deep scratches on matte surfaces can sometimes be more visible than on textured materials.
Anti-fingerprint fronts keep your kitchen freer of fingerprints thanks to their special coating and ensure a well-kept and elegant appearance. As a result, the kitchen stays clean and fresh for longer and requires less frequent cleaning.
High-gloss fronts are the choice for those who like it glamorous. The reflective surface brings light into the room and makes small kitchens look larger. The shiny look fits perfectly with a modern living style. However, high-gloss fronts are also the most demanding in terms of care; they are more susceptible to scratches and fingerprints are quickly visible.
Wood fronts bring warmth and naturalness into your kitchen. The natural grain makes every front unique – regardless of whether you choose real wood or wood decor. Wood is versatile: It fits the classic country house style just as well as modern interiors and can be combined well with other materials. The surface can withstand a lot. It is robust, shows scratches less quickly than high-gloss, and remains beautiful for a long time with proper care. Real wood fronts may change their color intensity over the years, but this often gives them a special patina.
Glass fronts appear translucent and modern – they make kitchen spaces appear larger and brighter. Their elegant look is just as impressive as the easy cleaning of dust and grease. Thanks to their smooth surfaces, they also offer a high level of hygiene. However, the surfaces are more sensitive to scratches, and fingerprints remain visible, which requires more frequent cleaning. In addition, glass fronts can be more expensive to purchase.
Which kitchen front suits your lifestyle?
Your kitchen should fit your everyday life. Families with children do well with matte, melamine-resin-coated, or textured fronts as well as wood fronts – they are robust, easy to clean, and forgiving of fingerprints. Those who live alone or as a couple and appreciate design often opt for elegant high-gloss fronts or anti-fingerprint-coated fronts. However, these also require more care and careful handling. For passionate home cooks, melamine-resin-coated or treated wood surfaces are ideal, as they handle moisture better. The room also plays a role: High-gloss makes small kitchens appear larger, while dark matte or wood fronts provide coziness in large rooms.
Care and durability – how to keep your kitchen looking beautiful for a long time
Every kitchen front has its own maintenance requirements. With the right treatment, all variants will remain attractive for years to come.
Matte fronts are best cleaned with a damp microfiber cloth suitable for lacquered fronts; for this, you can use a small bowl of warm water and a drop of dish soap. Avoid abrasive sponges and aggressive cleaning agents. It is important to wipe the front dry afterwards with a suitable soft cloth to prevent water stains.
High-gloss fronts require special attention. Use only soft microfiber cloths suitable for high-gloss fronts and special cleaners for high-gloss surfaces. Always wipe in one direction to avoid streaks. After cleaning, carefully polish the surface with a dry, suitable microfiber cloth for high-gloss fronts to achieve a streak-free shine.
Wood fronts should be wiped down regularly with a slightly damp cloth. For real wood, we recommend occasional treatment with special wood care products that nourish and protect the material; you can obtain special care sets for this from our expert staff. Avoid standing water on the surface, as it can cause the wood to swell. For lacquered wood fronts, a gentle cleaning with a mild cleaner is sufficient.
Care tips in a direct comparison:
|
Front type |
Cleaning |
Frequency |
Special features |
|
Matte |
Soft microfiber cloth for lacquered fronts + lukewarm water with 1 drop of dish soap |
As needed, approx. 1x per week |
Do not use abrasive cleaners |
|
High-gloss |
Special microfiber cloths for high-gloss fronts + special cleaner |
Daily as needed |
Wipe in one direction and polish |
|
Wood |
Suitable damp cloths + special wood care sets |
1–2x per week |
Avoid standing water |
Durability depends heavily on the quality of the fronts and proper care. Matte and high-gloss fronts can easily last 15 to 20 years with good treatment. Real wood fronts can last even longer and develop a beautiful patina over the years.
Conclusion: The perfect kitchen front for your home
Whether matte, glossy, or made of wood – every front has its own character. The decisive factor is what is important to you in everyday life: Should your kitchen be as uncomplicated to clean as possible? Should it shine as a design-strong statement? Or do you desire a homely atmosphere with a durable character?
In our kitchen studio in Mannheim and our kitchen studio in Worms you will not only find a large selection of front variants but also the advice from our expert staff that you need to make your dream kitchen a reality. Together with you, we will design a kitchen that not only inspires visually but also fits your habits and needs.
