What are Glazed Cabinets?
The Glazed Cabinets style is a finish that is applied over the wood to add depth and shine. A glaze is a semi-transparent coating that is applied over stained or painted wood. The coating of the stain is then wiped off, leaving cabinets with highlights and dimension, while also accentuating detail. In many cases, glazing is done to get an antique look to the cabinet itself, but the technique can also be applied to achieve depth, dimension, and granular detail.
Are Glazed Cabinets Trending Right Now?
Yes! Glazed cabinets are still very popular to include in your home. Many people add a glaze to the cabinets in their kitchens and bathrooms. Cabinet glazing has risen in popularity over the past decade, since it’s a relatively easy home renovation to spice up your cabinets, without having to redo any styles or break the bank.
- Classic Glazed Cabinets
Cabinet glazing is the process of adding a second color to your cabinets. This color helps accentuate the architectural details such as corners and molding. Similar to staining your cabinets, cabinet glazing is a great way to transform your kitchen or bathroom without investing in new cabinetry.
Glaze comes in two formulas, oil-based and water-based. Choosing the right glaze will be dependent on if your cabinets are painted or stained. For painted cabinets, we recommend a water-based glaze, and for stained cabinets, we recommend oil-based. It’s important to note that oil-based glazes have a slower drying time, which makes them typically easier to work with.
From our experience at Cabinets Direct, glazing works best when your cabinets have been freshly painted or stained and have had time to dry completely. Glazing works best with oil-based paint, specifically with an eggshell or satin finish. Chalk paint that is unsealed will be more difficult to work with.
- Glaze on Painted Cabinets
Adding a glaze to a painted kitchen cabinet can add a whole new look to your space. If you’re into a rustic or barn-style look, glazing on top of your painted cabinets can give you just that! As pictured above, adding a glaze and a “scuffed” look to the cabinets gave this home a rustic and worn feeling, making the space feel more comfortable and cozy.
When adding a glaze over colored cabinets, make sure you’re picking the right color for your home- black, dark brown, light brown, etc., since the color may appear more noticeable than on a wooden cabinet. Also make sure to pick out hardware that will match the glaze color and the color of your cabinets. Adding a glaze, adds such a professional and beautiful look to your kitchen cabinets, while also adding so much dimension!
Adding a glaze on top of previously painted cabinets can work, but for the best results, apply to freshly painted cabinets.
- Glazing Wooden Cabinets
Most kitchens have wooden cabinets, so if you’re looking for a change, a glaze is the perfect option! A glaze can give your kitchen an updated look and style, without the hassle, stress, or longer timeline of a renovation for new cabinets.
Adding a glaze to wooden cabinets can give a home a more traditional look. A glaze can be applied to your original cabinets or it can be applied on top of stain, if you’re looking to change the color of your cabinets. When adding a glaze to wooden cabinets, it is recommended to pick a color or shade that is darker than the wood color. This way, the fine lines caused by the glaze add depth to your cabinets. It can also be recommended to glaze with a darker color that may compliment your countertops or backsplash. Adding matching hardware can tie the whole look together and make your kitchen look amazing!
- Pencil Glaze
A pencil glaze is a form of glazing that is far more precise than the traditional methods. A traditional glaze would typically be applied with a rag or thich brush, all over the cabinet and then excess glaze is removed. With a pencil glaze, the coating will be applied with a smaller brush or other tools, to only the areas where the glaze will be, rather than the whole cabinet. A pencil glaze is applied in short strokes to be more precise and give more fine lines.
The pencil glaze is the perfect option for anyone who wants to keep their home looking modern. This type of glaze is typically less dramatic but more sharp than a traditional glaze. Due to the fine lines, the pencil glaze can sometimes look more elegant and expensive, if you’re looking to level-up the look of your home.
- Glazing White Cabinets
Adding a glaze on top of a white cabinet is one of the most popular styles for glazing kitchen cabinets! Many homeowners add a glaze to their white cabinets because without it, white cabinets can look very plain and may not give off the cozy feel that they’re looking for.
Adding a glaze to white cabinets can be very versatile, you can add a lighter glaze to just add some dimension depth, or add a darker glaze to add some edge and color to your kitchen. Picking a darker glaze will accentuate and show more details in the wood, this is a great option if you have any trimming or carved detailing in your cabinets. Adding a glaze to white cabinets is popular because it’s the most visible and it makes a huge difference in styling your kitchen!
Should You Glaze Your Cabinets?
If you’re debating on whether or not you should glaze your cabinets, it’s all up to your personal style! Glazing your cabinets can add more personality to your home, while also giving it a more “lived-in” and “homey” feeling. Cabinet glazing is an easy way to change your home’s look, without having to deal with the stress of a renovation or installing new cabinets.
Shop At The Top Kitchen Cabinet Retailers in New Jersey and Florida
If you’re looking to add a unique touch to your kitchen or bathroom cabinets, Cabinets Direct USA are your local experts! For more information on cabinet glazing, we have another article on how to get started with glazing here. For additional design inspiration on how to update your cabinets, be sure to visit our idea gallery. If you decide to incorporate new countertops or your old cabinets aren’t refurbishable, we have 6 convenient showrooms around New Jersey and several locations throughout Florida. Contact us today to learn more, or just stop by your nearest showroom!