Choose Your Kitchen Cabinet Glass
Textured? Frosted? Seeded? Find the cabinet glass style that will set off your kitchen to its best advantage
Lisa Frederick
May 4, 2012
Houzz Contributor. After journalism school, I fell into decorating media and immediately discovered a new passion. An Atlanta native, I spent several years as an editor for Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles magazine before making the leap to national publications and websites such as Houzz, Better Homes and Gardens and Southern Accents. I live in Birmingham, Alabama, with my husband and son, who’ve gotten used to coming home and finding the furniture rearranged. When I'm not dragging case goods across the floor, I enjoy good food and wine, college football, music of all kinds, and traveling.
Houzz Contributor. After journalism school, I fell into decorating media and immediately... More
Glass cabinet inserts represent an ideal compromise between solid cabinetry and open shelving. They keep out dust and debris yet help to open a kitchen up visually and showcase striking dishware and decorative items. And today we have more choices than ever for choosing glass inserts — the market is loaded with interesting textures and techniques. Here are some of the most popular options you'll come across.
Transparent
Good for: All kitchens, all styles. Plain, transparent glass is a classic, fail-safe choice, as well as the most widely available. Select a tempered style to guard against breakage. You can either use single flat panels, as in this kitchen, or go with decorative mullions to enhance your kitchen's design.
Good for: All kitchens, all styles. Plain, transparent glass is a classic, fail-safe choice, as well as the most widely available. Select a tempered style to guard against breakage. You can either use single flat panels, as in this kitchen, or go with decorative mullions to enhance your kitchen's design.
Also consider ... There's no hiding anything behind this type of glass. You'll need to make sure that whatever it frames is neat and well arranged, unless you're comfortable with guests getting a peek at your crumpled bags of potato chips and collection of cartoon mouse mugs. Plus, it shows smudges and fingerprints instantly. Keep the window cleaner handy.
Frosted
Good for: Modern kitchens and nonneatnik homeowners. Frosted glass, which is blasted with sand or grit to achieve its translucent quality, lends a cool, sleek feel to a space. Because it screens the objects it fronts (some better than others), you can probably get away with a stack of mismatched melamine or a jumble of tumblers. You also can have frosted glass etched with custom designs to add one-of-a-kind style.
Good for: Modern kitchens and nonneatnik homeowners. Frosted glass, which is blasted with sand or grit to achieve its translucent quality, lends a cool, sleek feel to a space. Because it screens the objects it fronts (some better than others), you can probably get away with a stack of mismatched melamine or a jumble of tumblers. You also can have frosted glass etched with custom designs to add one-of-a-kind style.
Also consider ... Frosted doesn't mean opaque. Visitors might not be able to read the words on your cereal box through the glass, but they can tell when the items on the shelves have collapsed into a big mess. Dedicate a little time daily or weekly to keeping things organized.
Textured
Good for: Eye appeal. Textured glass is just what it sounds like: glass molded or embossed with a pattern for visual and tactile appeal. It can be ribbed, pebbled, grooved, beveled or otherwise patterned. It's popular not only because of the layer of interest it adds, but because it helps to blunt the outlines of cabinet flotsam within, and it masks smears and streaks well.
Good for: Eye appeal. Textured glass is just what it sounds like: glass molded or embossed with a pattern for visual and tactile appeal. It can be ribbed, pebbled, grooved, beveled or otherwise patterned. It's popular not only because of the layer of interest it adds, but because it helps to blunt the outlines of cabinet flotsam within, and it masks smears and streaks well.
Also consider … With some textures, you run the risk of a dated look down the road. (Anyone remember the random, crackly patterns of the 1970s?) The simplest styles, such as ribbed glass, are less likely to fall out of favor.
Hire a cabinet professional to get glass-front cabinets
Hire a cabinet professional to get glass-front cabinets
Seeded
Good for: Vintage chic. Seeded glass, which dates back to colonial times, is pocked with tiny bubbles, which give it its name. It usually has a wavy quality as well. Its hand-crafted look and old-fashioned appeal make it a natural fit for cottage, Shaker and traditional kitchens.
Good for: Vintage chic. Seeded glass, which dates back to colonial times, is pocked with tiny bubbles, which give it its name. It usually has a wavy quality as well. Its hand-crafted look and old-fashioned appeal make it a natural fit for cottage, Shaker and traditional kitchens.
Also consider ... The bubbles and dots in seeded glass can be tiny, large or anything in between (authentic vintage seeded glass will often have smaller bubbles). If you want to showcase dishware, collectibles or other cabinet contents, go for smaller seeding. Larger bubbles can better obscure less pristine displays.
Leaded
Good for: Creating an elegant, traditional feel. Leaded glass has an appealing artisanal quality, and you can spin its design in any number of directions, from Gothic to Craftsman. If you'd like a hint of color, you can also choose stained or art glass — especially nice in backlit cabinetry, which sets the different hues aglow.
Good for: Creating an elegant, traditional feel. Leaded glass has an appealing artisanal quality, and you can spin its design in any number of directions, from Gothic to Craftsman. If you'd like a hint of color, you can also choose stained or art glass — especially nice in backlit cabinetry, which sets the different hues aglow.
Also consider … Want the real deal? You can find antique leaded glass panels at salvage shops, flea markets and specialty retailers, and through online suppliers.
More:
7 Ways to Make Your Glass Cabinets Shine
Designer’s Touch: The Kitchen
Find a local glass company to swap yours out
More:
7 Ways to Make Your Glass Cabinets Shine
Designer’s Touch: The Kitchen
Find a local glass company to swap yours out
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You're welcome.
I have been seeing Lexan, which I think is a polycarbonate, being used on some DIY sites. Our glass panels are small and are at the very top of cabinets in a kitchen with 9 foot ceilings, so no one would look closely at them! Would that work for our kitchen? Does anyone know if it would shine/reflect like real glass? Having a hard time finding a place to make real glass to fit around here.
I know this is an older thread :) but it's still relevant for making glass decisions.
I have 2 30xW42H doubled doored cabinets with Nouveau glass on one side of my kitchen. I also have a 40Wx39H Nouveau double glass doored cabinet on the opposite side of the room. On the same side as the 39W, the upper stacked 14"H cabinets on that wall 3 cabinets each with double doors will be light and glass. My question is, can I do the upper 14" cabinets in plain clear glass Here are a couple pictures of where we are so far. I still have to paint the upper door frame, so disregard that :)