For over twenty years, Papilio Bespoke Kitchens has seen numerous kitchen design trends come and go. Some stand the test of time, and others do not. Matte finishes for cabinetry surfaces, worktops, and hardware have gained popularity in designer kitchens, offering a unique blend of sophistication, functionality, and timeless style.
High shine and gloss once ruled the roost, but today’s discerning homeowner appreciates the understated elegance of matte surfaces. Let’s delve into the world of matte finishes and explore why it’s the must-have trend for your dream kitchen.
Matte finishes and materials suit modern contemporary kitchens but work well in traditional designs, too. The benefits of matte finishes include cleanliness, no glare, and versatility with contrast materials. There is a sense of understated luxury with matte finishes that boast a velvety smooth texture that absorbs light, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Unlike their glossy counterparts that can appear stark and cold, matte surfaces exude a sense of tranquillity and sophistication, which makes them perfect for designer kitchens.
Benefits of Matte Finishes
- Durability: Matte finishes are tougher than they look. They resist scratches, fingerprints, and stains better than glossy surfaces, making them ideal for busy households where kitchens see a lot of action.
- Low Maintenance: Cleaning a matte kitchen is a breeze. Unlike glossy surfaces, which require constant polishing to maintain shine, matte finishes hide minor imperfections and require a gentle wipe-down for a clean look.
- Less Glare: Matte surfaces reduce glare, a significant benefit in kitchens with ample windows or bright lighting. This minimises eye strain and creates a safer environment, preventing accidents caused by light reflection.
Matte Materials We Love
Fenix
Fenix is a wonderful engineered material used in many of our bespoke kitchens. It offers durability and style and provides multiple surface options, including a super matte finish, which we chose for our Contemporary Kitchen project. Fenix is an ultra-modern scratch-proof material, which makes it stylish and practical. Another appealing feature of Fenix is that it is beneficial in a space full of natural light.
Richlite
Durable and renewable, Richlite is an engineered material for function and design. From architecture to restaurants, discerning designers across industries have adopted Richlite materials. We have utilised it in many of our luxury kitchens, including The Alpine Ski Chalet Kitchen in France. The stunning barn conversion needed to stay true to its timber structure but be ultra-functional and modern. We chose 12mm diamond black Richlite for the worksurface to offer a minimal contemporary look and practical benefits. The matte finish contrasts beautifully with the black granite sink and a stunning Radomonte Kato single-lever mixer tap by Studio Ore.
Valchromat
Valchromat is an engineered, textured, vibrant, sustainable, and aesthetically beautiful material. It offers rich textures, including matte, and is one of the most environmentally friendly products on the market. We chose Valchromat for the kitchen island in our Frome Kitchen project in Somerset. The design was inspired by the Edwardian-era manor house architecture but with a mid-century style twist. The fluted detail on the side of the kitchen island was central to the luxury kitchen design. We custom-made it using a water jet to create fluted side panels to make the bespoke kitchen island with a matte finish.
When NOT To Choose Matte
Not all matte finishes are created equal. When considering your new bespoke kitchen, we often advise against matte paint because the finish works differently from materials such as Richlite and Fenix. Matte paint is unsuitable for kitchens as finger marks, dust, and smears may show. For painted kitchens, we generally use a 20% sheen finish to reduce fingerprint smears and prefer alternative materials to the traditional painted finish.
