Should I get glass doors in kitchen?

13 years ago

I am designing a new kitchen. White cabinets. Thought I would have a few glass doors to break it up. Designer put all 4 glass doors together. Other wall with sink is open to family room. Do you think I should get any glass doors and if so, where? Cabinets will be white.
Thanks.

Featured Answer

PRO

JandB Kitchen Designs

12 years ago

Hi,
A quick note about our experience: Brigitte and I consistently design between 70-90 kitchens/year (for over 34 years) and have designed thousands of kitchens.....We also design full structural including below-grade foundation plans.....We have 2 Chicagoland locations and a Michigan location which cover the Wisconsin to Indiana borders, N.W. Indiana and S.W. Michigan.....Anyway, a few notes on glass doors.....We always tell clients that want glass doors to be sure they have nice things to put in them (not the place for your popcorn popper!).....Along with that we make sure they know that glass doors dictate other things with the cabinetry---finished interiors, interior cabinet lighting and glass shelves so the lighting cascades down.....If you're going to the expense of glass doors, don't stop short.....Also, get your glass locally, not from the cab. mfr.....Regarding your design---get those glass doors away from the stove.....You'll be cleaning grease and "stuff" from the glass forever.....If you have the mullions this will be a total nightmare.....Hope this gives you some help.....John & Brigitte

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (46)

PRO
Karen Goodale Design
13 years ago
Glass doors can be a beautiful feature in your cabinets, however, one must be very tidy with those cabinets as they are in view for all to see! I think it would definitely look more balanced if you have glass cabinets on both sides of the stove if you think you can pull off the "neat thing".
PRO
Dytecture
13 years ago
Agreed, the glass doors would look better if they are symmetrical with the stove.
Related Professionals
Mission Viejo Interior Designers & Decorators · Carson City Interior Designers & Decorators · Cape Coral Architects & Building Designers · Moline Architects & Building Designers · Pueblo Architects & Building Designers · Fort Collins Architects & Building Designers · Pine Bluff Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Savannah Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Hays Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Atlantic City Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Abilene Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Detroit Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Pittsburgh Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Wausau Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Carlsbad Kitchen & Bathroom Designers
rosecottagehome
13 years ago
I agree with Design Palette and also think it would look far more pleasing with glass doors on either side of your stove. Ask your designer to do you a sketch of this look and then you can compare and decide what you like best and what works for you.
Phyllis Sisenwine
Original Author
13 years ago
thanks. If you notice the glass doors are 2 singles and a double She likes the doors to open that way. So it's difficult to have two on each side of stove unless I do same cabinets and one single glass on each side Thoughts?? Thanks
Judy M
13 years ago
What will you put in those cabinets? Is the location of the glass front cabinets convenient for dishes or things that look neat when inside cabinet?
PRO
Karen Goodale Design
13 years ago
Your designer may like them that way but do you? Maybe you could have the two singles on either side of the stove (handy for spices and things of a cooking nature) and the doubles with glass doors on either side...
PRO
RC Cabinets & Closets
13 years ago
Absolutely, it will create a nice light and fresh touch to your well designed kitchen. One option is to do a partial frosted glass or partially painted as I have attached.
Nancy Travisinteriors
13 years ago
Yes, love drawing. Good job.
Nancy Travisinteriors
13 years ago
Don't have all glass on one Sid. Just a couple maybe on either side of sink.
Nancy Travisinteriors
13 years ago
I meant to say stove. Sorry.
PRO
rjcDESIGN
13 years ago
I recommend thinking of what you want to put in those glass cabinets and locating them from there. I would suggest dishes and glassware but not spices (my spices never stay straight and they are all different brands--put something beautiful in those glass cabinets).
PRO
BathGems
13 years ago
I am not neat enough for glass. Just remember everyone can see everything you have. I would not do glass also just one more thing to keep clean and or break.
PRO
sstarr93
13 years ago
Do you need uppers right next to the stove? It would be more attractive without a couple of those cabinets.
PRO
Karen Goodale Design
13 years ago
I agree...don't have the singles as glass next to the stove...the doubles possibly if you have nice bowls and other dishes that could be neat and tidy and would be nice to display...
PRO
KDH Residential Designs
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
What if you did something similar to this? It adds the light without seeing through the cabinet. This is one full height door with a glass panel at the top. I wouldn't do all four on one side. Maybe two on either side the range.
PRO
Drafting & Soil Monitoring Services LLC
13 years ago
Yes, glass doors are very nice within a kitchen. But as was mentioned earlier you would need to maintain organization in order for it to be appealing. What my wife and I did was added wine glasses. (We have lots of them because we love wining & dining our friends and family) Also decorative plates, bowls, saucers, tea cups, etc. Basically putting something within the cupboards that you only use on special occasions. Hope this helps.
http://www.houseplansbydsms.com/house-plans/
Offering quality downloadable home plans for $377.33
rosecottagehome
13 years ago
Do you have other profile sketches of the sink/dish washer area? You will want glass doors to show nice dishes, bowls, serving pieces, glass ware and be in a place that is functional. If you do decide to go with glass on either side of your stove, they would best be a double door on either side.
Susan Cz
13 years ago
In our newly remodeled kitchen we added a section of glass doors and i store our 'good dishes' that are all white and then added a couple colored tea pots, it looks great
Phyllis Sisenwine thanked Susan Cz
eckjunebug
13 years ago
I have glass doors on one side, similar to your sketch although my kitchen is much smaller. I enjoy them very much. I have a lot of my handmade pottery items (coffee mugs, bowls, etc) and glass inside of the glass cabinets. On the right of stove I have a right-hinged door for easy opening (for spices) when cooking. My cabinet guy recommended this and I'm so glad he did! I'll attach a picture incase it might help. I didn't de-clutter anything - just as-is-right this moment.
Phyllis Sisenwine thanked eckjunebug
Phyllis Sisenwine
Original Author
13 years ago
Looks good I guess lights are important when you have glass. Thanks for sending the picture
Susan Cz
13 years ago
we didn't add light inside the glass cabinets, but we do have under cabinet lights that we love
PRO
The Big Small
13 years ago
I have one section of glass doors on my upper cabinets. I like them, but having lived with them now for a few years I find my eye is drawn to kitchens that have less going on. The glass feels a bit like I was trying too hard to make the kitchen stand out. These days there's a lot going on in a kitchen...stainless appliances, stone counters, under cabinet lighting, standout backsplashes, coffee machines, mixers, etc. It's an awful lot for the eye to take in. Like somebody wearing 15 pieces of jewelry. It starts to all get lost in the mix. If I had to do it again I'd keep it more uniform.
PRO
Budget Fence and Patio
13 years ago
In my opinion, glass doors will be just perfect for the scenario. Side ways of the sink will be the perfect location.
gingerbreadmom
13 years ago
It might be wise to consider the type of cooking that you typically do as well. Steamy pots and/or cooking oil can send vaporized droplets upwards. If your fan can't capture it all, those droplets will affix themselves to your cabinetry...and glass. You might want to consider putting the glass front cabinets at the ends just to avoid having grunge cloud your glass fronts in a short period of time. Any speckles of grunge will be less visible on the wood panels than they would be on glass. Just a thought...I am a bit of a Felix Unger.
feeny
13 years ago
I agree with gingerbreadmom. I think your kitchen would look nice with a little glass, but I'd put it on the ends so as to avoid any cooking grease or spatter--especially as you have an OTR microwave hood, which is a bit less efficient than a higher powered one for getting rid of cooking residues.
PRO
Karen Goodale Design
13 years ago
I totally agree...glass on the ends.
prairiegourmet
13 years ago
Glass on the ends or not at all. I'm constantly cleaning the glass doors on either side of my stove. Keep the glass doors in a spot away from the cooking areas.
PRO
Winterhouse Kitchens, Bath & Custom Woodwork
13 years ago
Glass doors are a wonderful look, and break up a long wall of cabinets. That being said, people often don't realize how dirty the glass can get if it's near the cook top. It can get greasy, or spotty. I'd keep the glass away from your cooking surfaces.
PRO
TJP Designs and Construction LLC
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
I didn't read all the comments, but have you considered glass doors in the middle pair (not all four) cabinets. More of an 'accent' look for the kitchen. Consider antique glass, not clear glass!
qam999
13 years ago
Strongly recommend that your beautiful new kitchen be given the gift of a real vent hood, not the microwave combo as those are very inefficient at venting. With beautiful new cupboards and glass doors, you can't afford the circulating grease. The dated venting microwave also degrades resale value and drives away serious cooks.
bubblyjock
13 years ago
Micro/venthoods are also either unsafely high and out of reach, or annoying low and clock you in the forehead.

I agree - a mix of glass and solid upper doors is functional and attractive (some hidden stuff, some stuff on show). You might also want to consider the linear balance between upper and lower cabinets - eg 18" uppers over 18" lowers.
Adrianne
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
So what if you just did the upper portion of the doors in glass?

another thought...
Right now the cabinets to the left and right of the microwave cabinet are two cabinets each with two doors.
Change that... So its three cabinets on each side. Keep the door sizes the same and do; small single door cabinet, larger two door cabinet and a single door cabinet.

Now with the three cabinets and the middle being a two door. Do (starting from the wall) Solid on the single, Glass on the double, solid on the single, solid on the microwave cabinet.. (keeping the microwave the same as the two adjoining small ones will give it a deco hood look and make the middle glass door cabinet pop.

Now, you could switch the order of glass, no glass, glass. You could also stagger the depths from 12" to 15". 15" being the glass two door cabinet.

Example of a deco hood with solid sides.. Same idea for keeping the adjoining cabinets to the micro cabinet solid.
Painted kitchen · More Info

MacGibbon Kitchen 4 · More Info
Adrianne
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
I would also switch up the lowers to match the uppers.. Having under the single cabs do about the same size rev a shelf pull outs.. (super great storage for oven stuff) and banks of drawers with full extension slide drawers for pots and pans
Everyday Elegance · More Info

Leung Kitchen 8 · More Info

Rev-A-Shelf and Tresco Lighting by Rev-A-Shelf Kitchen · More Info

Storage Ideas · More Info

Casual Contemporary · More Info
Susan Cz
13 years ago
so you don't have a vent/exhaust fan? I'm think you could move your wave to a built in (lower area) and install a very cool vent hood above the stove, it would open the area up quite a bit
Geneviève
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
I like glass doors but to balance I would ask the designer to add some to the other side ,you could have 2 on one side and 2 on the other ,and don't forget to add lighting to them ,when you store your crystal glasses and china the light will give them that special sparkle

LUXE Kitchen · More Info
Jaimie Rueter
13 years ago
The more formal the space, the more the symmetry is important. Personally, I like a less symmetric, almost unfitted look that lends itself to a more relaxed, cozy vibe. I have two glass doored cabinets - one next to the sink/diswasher that has everyday glassware and wineglasses on the lower shelves and some pretty serving pieces above. Next to that is a wood cabinet for all the mismatched items, plastic cups, etc that I don't want on display, then a second glass cabinet with more decorative and less used items. They are on the wall away from the stove, so cleaning the glass has not been an issue. Also, your drawing doesn't indicate muntins in the glass, but if you decide to use any design on the door (muntins, leaded glass, etc) keep in mind how it will look with the shelves inside.
rosecottagehome
13 years ago
If you do consider a more elaborate hood fan design for over your stove, I would recommend the single door pull out spice cabinets on either side of the stove area, and then possibly your glass door cabinets beside these, allowing room enough away from the cooking area. I put these in my revamped kitchen and love them, opting for the higher profile cabinets so I would not lose counter space, although I do love the spice cabinets that go right down to the counter. I guess the glass doors are far enough away from the cook zone because the glass stays clean. I put the microwave in a below position in my small island out of sight.
PRO
User
13 years ago
I would ask your designer why the single/double/single cabinets. Does the explanation fit with how you see yourself using those cabinets? I am leery because you may have some difficulty reaching the left single, since you will be reaching over a restrictive corner counter. Your height may have influence here.

Also will the way you use the cabinets conflict with keeping them "pretty" inside? You may chose to use a glass that is not clear to blur the appearance inside.

From a purely appearance perspective, I would prefer two doubles on the left, with the left one glass and the the left cabinet to the right of the stove also glass. But how the cabinets are to be used should drive the type of doors if this is a working kitchen and not just a showpiece.
Phyllis Sisenwine
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks for all the feedback . Kitchen is a u and I only showed one wall. Designer said the right of stove becomes a corner unit but I disagree If I do glass I will do both sides of stove. I am amazed at the abundance of creativity that this site attracts. Thank you all so much
PRO
Stonecroft Homes
12 years ago
If your ceilings are around 8' tall I would have the glass cabinets flank each side of the stove. Otherwise, if your ceilings are 9 - 10ft tall, then I would have lighted glass uppers. ~David
PRO
FMSProjects, Inc.
12 years ago
Glass doors will add a new touch or 'feature' . Many comments talk about having to be neat and/or display items inside and those are good comments, stay away if you just want storage, storage, storage.
ladan11
12 years ago
I think if you use frosted glass doors for the two end cabinets instead of the ones right next to stove will be easier to keep clean and the frosted glass doors are a good alternative.
emachida
12 years ago
Personally I really don't like glass doors on cabinets, but that's just my two cents.
torch_girl
12 years ago
We have a very similar set up. We have timber immediately above the stove (shallow shelves for spices. That cupboard also houses the extraction biz). The rest is timber- framed glass. It's easy to keep nice.. Glasses, carafes, vases, nicest casserole dishes, sets of ceramic pie-dishes, 'visitor' cups, a few quirky vintage pieces. Looks great and really 'lifts' the whole kitchen. I won't go back to solid wall cabinets again.
PRO
Julia & Elizabeth
12 years ago
I think glass doors are great and you can put fabric inside the glass to hide clutter or to add a little color.