Software
Houzz Logo Print
61tinkerbell

Glazed cabinets - Yay or Nay?

8 years ago

I need to decide on this ASAP and I keep going back and forth on my decision. Currently, I live in FL and the homes don't seem to use glazed cabinets much, however we are moving to another state and viewing a lot of there new (high end) homes, glazed cabinets seem pretty common.


so what do you think - yay or nay?


without glaze (color is a little off)




white with smoke glaze (but will be door style above)


Comments (27)

  • 8 years ago

    I prefer non glazed. From the photos you posted I prefer the color of the first to the glazed as well. Sometimes, on wood tones a certain type of glaze does appeal to me but on white and cream usually not. However, I am sure there are some I might find attractive.

  • 8 years ago

    For the most part, I also think the glaze gives the cabinets a dirty look.

    The only time I've seen it work is in elaborate, Mediterranean style kitchens.

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    Glazed cabinets only if they are glazed very lightly. We do cabinets in a lot of finishes and find one finish does not fit all situations.

  • 8 years ago

    Big giant 'nay' for me.

  • 8 years ago

    That glaze is pretty light and bluish, so that one looks okay to me. Dirt is not blue.

  • 8 years ago

    I sometimes like a glaze on stained cabinets, but on white I just dont get it. No for me.

  • 8 years ago

    Depending on the style of the kitchen and the rest of the home, I actually like them. If we were to do white cabinets in our kitchen (we aren't), they would look far too sterile without the addition of a soft glaze.

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    I like it when it's done like your example -- just in recesses and details. I don't if the flat parts of the doors/sides are done. When it became a trend here, I had my bathroom cabinets done (all parts) and it did look dirty and smeared.

    As MS Colours said, it depends on context/many factors. Your picture looks nice to me because it's very defined ... not smudged around.

    This reminds me of your example; I like it:

  • 8 years ago

    no glaze


  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    My sister got the glazing on her cabinets about 10 years ago, when it was in style (sorry). She thought they looked good in maybe the first year. But quickly the glazing just made her expensive kitchen cabinets look shabby. I am just reporting what she has said.

  • 8 years ago

    Thanks, everyone. The majority votes no glaze, so I feel more confident in NOT using the glaze. What about other cabinets in the home? The laundry, bathrooms.. no glaze or do you mix?

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    Glazing looks/work best on raised panel doors. If you want to be trendy, then plain white shaker is a choice that will never haunt you. Always seems to be in style. If you like the glazed look, and don't mind spending the extra money, then go for it. Spend your money on what pleases your eye.

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    So many of these glazed cabinets make me think some soul was paid to go around and color in all the grooves with a Sharpie. My wood cabinets have this, and it’s ok with the wood, but I don’t care for it on white cabinets. The more I fight with the gunk that gets caught in the grooves of my cabinets, the more simple, flat panels appeal to me, too. Easier to maintain, but we have a very busy kitchen, so ymmv.

  • 8 years ago

    When you can't decide, get whatever's cheaper.

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Add me to nay for all the above mentioned reasons. Including one more. Your finished result might not look as neatly done. IMHO it's one the reasons it went out of favor for it's the sometimes uneven results.

  • 8 years ago

    I had similar cabinets in my previous home, and always wished I could paint them white but couldn’t justify the expense. They were installed around 2000 during the Tuscan trend. I think they’re dated. IMO

  • 8 years ago

    laughablemoments (love your name btw), you remind me, there's something called antiquing dust which is used to age some furniture. I've used it sparingly. You'd hate it!

  • 8 years ago

    OP, "The majority votes no glaze, so I feel more confident in NOT using the glaze. What about other cabinets in the home? The laundry, bathrooms.. no glaze or do you mix?" Most "nays" dislike it for a couple primary reasons (looks dirty, outdated) (btw, I still like glaze in some kitchens), and if that's why you aren't using it, then I recommend you not glaze elsewhere either.

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    Looks dirty, outdated - just say "no"!

  • 8 years ago

    I like the look from far away, but up close it looks like my 3 year old outlined the cabinets with a sharpie. I'm not a fan.

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    Well yes this type of glazing is applied by hand using an implement that resembles a Sharpie!

  • 8 years ago

    Thanks everyone - this was an easy decision following my post!! NO GLAZE!

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    Good choice tinker!

  • 8 years ago

    Lol @Fori. Deeeep breath. {That always helps irritation, right??}

  • 8 years ago

    I vote no glaze. But if the "whiteness" of your choice doesn't please, I think cream cabinets are pretty too.

  • 8 years ago

    I don't like cabinets with a heavy glaze (like Miz G's example), but I do like yours. It is soft, and like Pal stated, does not look like dirt. It looks light gray to me and more like worn edges than glaze online.

Sponsored
Miller Woodworks
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars23 Reviews
Franklin County's Trusted Custom Cabinetry Solutions