Yes, high-gloss kitchens show fingerprints, smudges, and grease very easily. Because of their reflective, mirror-like finish, the oils from your skin catch the light, making marks highly visible—especially on dark colors and at eye-level cabinets.
The Cons of a Gloss Finish
While gloss kitchens are easier to clean, they also need to be cleaned more often as those dirty marks and fingerprints will show up more easily. Another downside, particularly with acrylic gloss units, is that they're quite easy to scratch.
A gloss finish enjoyed a resurgence in popularity in the 2010s. High gloss cabinets fit in perfectly with modern interior design tastes. This finish works best in contemporary kitchens with flat cabinet fronts, where the smooth surfaces emphasise its lustrous shine.
It's a simple, 4-step process:
What makes it look cheap: A lack of continuity disrupts the home's visual and physical flow, subtly cheapening the overall experience. Mismatched flooring, abrupt ceiling changes, or lighting that feels disconnected from nearby spaces can make the kitchen feel compartmentalized instead of cohesive.
In 2026, kitchen color trends are moving away from stark white and cold gray, shifting toward warm, nature-inspired, and earthy tones. The aesthetic of "warm minimalism" dominates, favoring softer hues like creamy white, taupe, mushroom, terracotta, muted olive green, and deep teal-blues.
Kitchen cabinet colors that feel dated include stark, clinical all-white, cool minimalist grays, and red-toned woods like cherry or honey-oak. Flat, one-dimensional brown-on-brown color schemes and overly bright primary colors have also fallen out of style.
Dark matte surfaces tend to hide scratches but can reveal skin oils as cloudy darker patches; light matte hides dust and fingerprints well but may show pen marks or dirt more readily.
Yes, you can use Dawn dish soap or Dawn Powerwash to safely and effectively degrease kitchen cabinets. Because it is designed to cut through stubborn food grease, it works wonders on kitchen cabinets where cooking oils naturally build up over time.
Refinishing With Paint
A kitchen is typically considered outdated when it suffers from a combination of failing appliances, poor lighting, worn-out surfaces, and an isolating, disjointed layout. Trends evolve, and what was once fashionable can make the entire heart of the home feel less functional and visually unappealing.
The Return of Natural Wood
Wood cabinets are experiencing a major resurgence, celebrated for their warmth, texture, and organic beauty. Lighter woods like white oak, ash, and maple are particularly popular, lending a clean, Scandinavian-inspired feel to the kitchen.
Neutral Colour Palettes
Soft whites, warm greys, muted greens and natural wood tones create a calm, elegant backdrop. They pair well with changing accessories, so you can update the look with new bar stools, pendant lights, or splashback tiles without replacing the whole kitchen.
Generally, a matte finish is considered more artistic and professional for display items like portraits, gallery walls, and wedding albums. A glossy finish looks more like a classic, high-energy photo print.
Avoid high-maintenance stark whites, trend-heavy brights like candy apple red or lime green, and oppressive jet blacks which highlight every fingerprint. Instead of fleeting fads or clinical shades, opt for muted, versatile tones that bring warmth and longevity to your space.
White kitchens are not out of style, but the stark, "all-white" monochromatic look is. Designers are shifting toward softer, warmer whites, paired with organic wood tones, natural stone, and contrasting elements to add depth and personality.
Gloss finishes can make a smaller space appear larger, while matt finishes are ideal for larger, well-lit kitchens. Maintenance: Are fingerprints and smudges an issue for you? Gloss finishes might require more frequent cleaning, while matt finishes are better at hiding wear and tear.
The 1/3 rule in cabinet design is an interior design guideline stating that a cabinet pull or handle should be approximately one-third the width of a drawer or one-third the height of a cabinet door. This ensures hardware is visually balanced and functional.
Here are all the steps you'll need to follow to paint your gloss cabinets and transform your kitchen.
Yes, you can use Murphy Oil Soap on kitchen cabinets. However, it is specifically designed for natural wood and relies on proper dilution.
To make the solution is simple and easy on the wallet! Pour equal parts of vinegar and Dawn into a spray bottle. Gently shake, then spray liberally onto the surface to be cleaned. I have found the best results is when I use it to clean chrome shower and sink fixtures.
Wooden Furniture
The strong detergents in dish soap can strip away the natural oils that protect the wood's surface, leading to a dry, dull finish. Over time, this can cause the wood to crack, warp, or lose its luster, and it can leave a hard-to-remove residue that causes discoloration.
Mix a small amount of vinegar and bicarbonate of soda together until they make a paste. Soak a clean microfibre cloth in this paste and then dab the affected area. Leave it to sit on the matte surface for a few minutes before gently rubbing the surface in circular motions.
Less Durable: Matte paint is more susceptible to damage and wear compared to glossier finishes. It is prone to scuffing, staining, and marks from cleaning, making it less suitable for high-traffic areas or areas prone to moisture and humidity, such as kitchens and bathrooms.
You can wear your fingerprints down with emery cloth, or use some form of artificial skin over them. If it's extreme horror, then maybe they de-glove someone and wear their hand as a glove (or just the fingers). Then they leave fingerprints, but not their own. Even clear nail polish or wax will work.