95-glass-cabinets-kitchen-remodelWant a new look for your kitchen cabinets, but don’t quite have the budget to completely replace them? Have you ever seen what a glass cabinet door can do for your kitchen?  For a fraction of what it would cost to replace the entire cabinet, you can outfit the doors with glass inserts and bring a completely new look and feel to the space.

An all wood kitchen can seem a little dark sometimes, and adding glass can make the space feel more open by bouncing back sunlight that comes in from the windows.  To take it a step further, add lights to the inside of your cabinets to show off your displays of crystal and fine china.

Glass Styles

There are so many styles to choose from that it’s easy to become overwhelmed. To help, we’ve compiled some of the many glass style options for you.  Keep in mind this is not a full list, but only an introduction to get you started.

  • Classic Glass– is what you see the most of. This is basic, clear, clean glass.  Classic glass is a good “go-to” for any style, be it country or contemporary; and is best for showcasing what is inside for all to see.  Be forewarned though, you will see every smear and smudge.
  • Etched or Frosted Glass– this look comes from the process of creating art images on the surface of glass by applying acidic, caustic, or abrasive substances. If you’re the creative type, design your own image and let your style run wild here.
  • Textured Glass– this is such a widely used term.  Textured glass has a pattern to it – often with a prismatic effect.  The glass is molded to give a visual appeal and typically rough to the touch. It can come in the form of: ribbed, beveled, bubbled, pebbled, seeded, reeded and icicled and the list goes on. This technique gives more of a diffused look, so the mess inside does not show through-just the rainbow of color.
  • Colored Glass– stained or tinted

Add dimension

  • Camed Glass– this effect comes from adding metal strips to bind glass together. Materials are mostly made of lead, brass, zinc or copper.
  • Mullion Doors – these doors include thin strips of wood (or mullions) which separate the panes of glass; or a solid glass panel can be placed behind the wood design.

So are you ready to give glass a try? You will be amazed at the difference it will make in your kitchen, and it may even encourage you to clean out those cabinets.