Choosing between a matt or a gloss finish for your new kitchen is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make. It’s a question I get asked all the time. Both look great, but they have some fundamental differences in how they look, how they feel, and how they perform in a busy home. There’s no single right answer, but there is a right answer for *you* and your lifestyle.

I’ve been in the kitchen industry for over 20 years, from retail to manufacturing, and now I supply bespoke kitchen units directly to the public and trade through our supply only kitchens service. My goal is to give you the straight-talking, honest advice you need to make the best choice. Let's break down the pros and cons of matt and gloss finishes to help you decide.

The most immediate difference between matt and gloss is how they handle light. This has a huge impact on the overall feel of your kitchen.

Gloss kitchens have a shiny, reflective surface that bounces light around the room. This is a massive advantage if your kitchen is on the smaller side or doesn't get a lot of natural daylight. The reflections create a sense of space and brightness, making the room feel larger and more open. It’s a very modern, sleek, and clean look. Our Handleless Gloss and Slab Gloss ranges are perfect examples of this high-impact style.

Matt kitchens, on the other hand, absorb light rather than reflecting it. This creates a much softer, more understated, and contemporary finish. Because there's no glare, the colour of the doors appears more consistent from every angle. A matt finish can feel calmer and more muted, which a lot of people prefer. It's a sophisticated look that works brilliantly in our Handleless Matt and Slab Matt styles.

Looks are one thing, but a kitchen has to work for your life. This is where the practical differences between matt and gloss really come into play.

Let's be honest about fingerprints. This is the number one concern for most people. A high-gloss surface will show fingerprints and smudges more readily than a matt one, especially on darker colours. If you have young kids or just can't stand seeing marks, a matt finish is definitely the more forgiving option. That said, gloss doors are incredibly easy to clean.

When it comes to cleaning, the smooth, non-porous surface of a gloss door is a dream. A quick wipe with a soft, damp microfibre cloth is all it takes to remove marks and bring back that perfect shine. Matt finishes can be a little more stubborn with greasy marks, as the texture can hold onto them more. However, a good quality kitchen cleaner will sort it out.

In terms of durability, it’s all about the quality of the door itself, not just the finish. All our kitchens are built to last. Our gloss doors are made from high-density MDF with either a tough acrylic layer or a multi-layered lacquered finish. We never use cheap vinyl wrap, which is prone to peeling. Our matt doors are equally robust. Both are built on our 18mm rigid carcasses with 18mm solid backs, so you're getting a quality product whichever finish you choose.

Certain kitchen styles are naturally suited to one finish over the other.

Gloss is the go-to for a true, modern, minimalist look. It’s almost exclusively used for slab or handleless door styles, like our Porter Gloss or Remo Gloss ranges. The uninterrupted, reflective surface is what creates that sleek, contemporary aesthetic. You wouldn't typically find a traditional Shaker kitchen in a high-gloss finish.

Matt is far more versatile. It’s the signature finish for modern handleless and slab doors, like our Porter Matt and Remo Matt ranges, giving a sophisticated, architectural feel. But it also works beautifully with more traditional styles. While our classic Painted Shaker kitchens have a natural, low-sheen painted finish rather than a true 'matt', they share that same soft, non-reflective quality. So, if you want a timeless look, a matt or low-sheen finish is a great choice across both modern and classic designs.

There's no winner here, only what's right for your home and your priorities.

Choose a gloss kitchen if:

• You have a smaller or darker kitchen and want to maximise light and space.
• You love a sleek, modern, high-impact look.
• You want a surface that is exceptionally easy to wipe clean.
• You don't have young children or you're not too bothered by wiping away fingerprints.

Choose a matt kitchen if:

• You prefer a more understated, subtle, and contemporary style.
• You want a finish that is less likely to show fingerprints and smudges.
• You want a consistent, solid block of colour without reflections or glare.
• You want a versatile finish that works for both modern and classic designs.

Ultimately, the best way to decide is to see the finishes for yourself. You can visit our showroom in Oldham or order samples to see how they look in your own home, in your own light. I'm confident that whether you choose matt or gloss, you'll be getting a top-quality kitchen that's 30-50% cheaper than the big sheds like Howdens, with transparent pricing all year round.

Back to Kitchen Advice Library | Trade Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturer Manchester

 
 
 
 
  EXCELLENT  
  
 Based on 47 reviews 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Ameer Latif 
 
30 August 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
We will get back with a quote within 24 hours they say, 10 days, 3 emails with pictures, sizes and plans and not one reply.. Not even a we cant help you
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Fleetkleen UK 
 
26 July 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Top service fantastic quality kitchen supplied with fully built units at an amazing price that I’ve not found anywhere else, would highly recommend giving Steve a call, will need his services again very soon.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Naz K 
 
25 June 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Fantastic experience with Steve from start to finish. He designed an amazing kitchen in a small space and truly went above and beyond what I expected. He took the time to listen carefully to my ideas and requirements, and was never pushy throughout the process. His knowledge, creativity, and attention to detail really stood out at every stage. Everything was planned and executed with care, and he made sure even the smallest details were perfect. The end result is a beautifully designed, highly functional kitchen that I’m absolutely thrilled with. I couldn’t recommend him highly enough ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Emma Bradshaw 
 
13 May 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
After visiting a few "big brand" kitchen places & being absolutely gob smacked at the prices, the pushy salesmen & the amazing "discounts" they claimed were on for "1 week only".... I went searching for a small local business. I found SJB on eBay initially & then popped along to his Instagram account to have a nosey at his products etc. I dropped him a message & got a reply pretty much straight away. I sent our measurements, needs & ideas & Steve got to work & brought our design to life! He worked fast & was extremely helpful. He made changes if we wanted them, he went hunting for a particular handle I wanted (a lot cheaper too as 1 company wanted £12 a handle, Steve found them for just £4) We visited his show room to make sure because we weren't being charged the earth, we weren't getting a cheap / flimsy product. Well we absolutely weren't! We had a slight issue with one of the cabinets being damaged upon arrival, spoke to Steve, who immediately ordered a replacement to be sent. Steve was contactable throughout, nothing was too much trouble, & he's just a genuine nice guy, who runs a fantastic small business. 100% recommend using SJB Trade Kitchens especially over the giant money grabbing companies!
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Elizabeth Orbell 
 
21 April 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Steve designed and provided all the quality parts necessary for my fitter to make up this beautiful kitchen. All arrived promptly and any queries were responded to immediately and efficiently. Steve is highly professional and easy to get along with which makes a huge difference in our busy world! I would definitely recommend Steve and will use him on my next build. Thank you !
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Scott 
 
1 April 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Steve is absolutely epic! Really nice guy. 100% genuine & to be trusted. Really easy to work with. Couldn't do enough and always on hand. The kitchen was amazing quality and the kitchen looked exactly like the images he produced on his computer. The units came ready built which saved a lot of time! Even if you're not a joiner it was really easy to assemble and fit. The kitchen is great quality and a VERY competitive price! 100% recommended! Thank you so much!
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Natasha Conway 
 
25 March 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
I cannot stress how happy I am with my kitchen from SJB. We didn’t had a great experience with our builder during the renovation of our house however the final kitchen made up for it. SJB offered high quality finishes at quick turnarounds and even made a custom made island which is better than I ever expected. I will be returning soon to SJB for my bedroom wardrobes!
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Tina Walsall 
 
12 January 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
I came across SJB on Ebay, and contacted Steve. He was very helpful in inviting us to his kitchen showroom to look at the various kitchens. This helped  a lot as he was on site to talk us through ideas and suggestions. We chose, what we thought, a relatively priced kitchen as it was for a rental property, but the finished result has been just amazing! It looks so expensive, even the fitter said it was very good quality for a fraction of what other places charge. Steve kindly designed the kitchen, gave us good ideas and was always available on the phone if we ever needed advice. I have never purchased a kitchen without the company providing a fitter as I have always doubted if the kitchen would fit how it should, but this has completely changed my perception. It has been flawless and friends and family have compared it to their much more expensive ones, saying this looks amazing and better than theirs! If you need a kitchen, with a gentleman that goes over and above, SJB is the place to go. You will not be disappointed, the whole process has been stress free thanks to Steve, I honestly cannot thank him enough for all his efforts and kindness. We hope to come back very soon!
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 James Hunter 
 
23 December 2025
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
I've worked in the building trade for over 20 years, the kitchen supplied by Steven was a better quality then a Howdens or magnet kitchen and also a good bit cheaper. Steven's easy to deal with, everything arrived as quoted no problems no damaged items and on the exact day specified. Would highly recommend.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Alison Gregory 
 
13 November 2025
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
I first came across Steve on Ebay last year when I moved into my bungalow and kept hold of his details. Fast forward a year, I checked Google reviews and finally contacted him sending measurements/photos and went to meet him when on holiday nearby. Steve was so helpful and came up with the exact kitchen plan I had in my head, two other companies couldn't do this, despite visiting my home and meeting with them. Took me a while to find a joiner and after lots of emails, Whatsapp messages and calls, I could actually place the order. All delivered to North East Scotland, a few doors followed on as were out of stock, a couple of damaged items replaced and when I needed a corner post and dishwasher door replacement due to longer screws being used in error, Steve was only too happy to send them. It's a very good quality kitchen at a great price and I'm not planning on needing another, but if I did, I wouldn't hesitate on contacting SJB again. We got there in the end Steve, with hard work from my plasterer, joiner, plumber, electrician and flooring guys and I love my new kitchen, so thank you, hard to believe it's the same room ❤️