Buyer’s Guide to
Decorative Cabinet Door Glass
Decorative cabinet door glass can transform a piece of furniture or even a room, but this interior design tool is sometimes overlooked. In this buyer’s guide, we’ll cover everything from cabinet glass basics to decorating tips. If you find yourself ready to update part of your home before it’s due for a total renovation, a product like cabinet glass can be just the ticket. Versatile, customizable, and available from glass shops like ABC Glass & Mirror, this decorative glass is suitable for various rooms and situations.
2. What glass styles are possible for cabinet door glass?
3. How is decorative glass used in a kitchen or dining area?
4. Is decorative cabinet glass helpful for a living room update?
5. How about cabinet door glass on bathroom vanities?
6. Can cabinet glass be used in laundry rooms or mudrooms?
7. How should I choose a cabinet glass style?
8. Are there tips for styling a cupboard with clear cabinet door glass?
9. How should decorative cabinet glass be cared for?
10. What are the steps for replacing cupboard door fronts with glass?
1. What is cabinet glass?
The term “cabinet glass” refers to small sections of glass that serve as door panels on cupboards and other cabinetry. For safety and durability, tempered glass is typically used for this application rather than annealed glass, which breaks more easily and forms razor sharp fragments. In situations where there are particular security and/or safety risks, a glass alternative (also referred to as “safety glass”) may be used. These options include acrylic sheeting and polycarbonate sheeting. Decorative cabinet glass can replace wooden door fronts or old glass door fronts that are damaged or out of style. The cabinet doors must be carefully measured and the glass panels cut to fit inside their door frames. Professional installation of this glass is offered by many shops, including ABC.
2. What glass styles are possible for cabinet door glass?
Cabinet glass is available in various clear, patterned, acid-etched, and tinted options.
• Transparent: If you prefer see-through cabinet door fronts, choose either standard clear glazing or ultra-clear glass that has a lower iron content and minimized green coloring around its edges.
• Patterned: Patterned cabinet glass is available with many different textural designs, including fluted, rain, and even patterns inspired by plant life.
• Acid Etched: Acid etching gives glass a frosted look. Glass with a fully etched surface is possible as well as frosted designs.
• Tinted: Glass with a hint of color is right for some home décor schemes, and ABC Glass & Mirror offers both bronze and gray cabinet glass.
3. How is decorative glass used in a kitchen or dining area?
The kitchen and dining room are two favorite locales for decorative cabinet glass. In fact, making this switch is a fantastic way to update your kitchen without totally remodeling it. There are several approaches that homeowners take:
• Transform all the cupboard doors with one style of cabinet glass.
• Add glass to a few select cupboards or to all the upper or all the lower cabinets.
• Have decorative glass installed in all the cabinet doors but use a couple different styles (a clear glass and an obscure glass option are usually chosen).
• Utilize a couple glass styles in select cabinets but leave the rest as they are.
The dining room is related to the kitchen in purpose and the two rooms are often seamlessly joined. In fact, a compact home might have an eat-in kitchen and no separate “dining room” as such. Either way, the dining area is frequently home to a china hutch or other cabinet that provides additional storage space for dishes, glassware, silverware, servingware, and so forth. This piece of furniture can be given a glow up through:
• The addition of cabinet glass on its cupboard doors.
• The replacement of old wood shelves with glass shelves.
• Being refinished with stain and varnish or stripped and painted.
• The swapping out of old pulls and knobs for new hardware.
4. Is decorative cabinet glass helpful for a living room update?
Absolutely! Many living rooms have furniture with cupboard doors, such as bookcases with bottom cupboards. Likewise, you might have a display cabinet for collectibles, artwork, or trophies. Cabinet glass can be used to breathe fresh life into these pieces of furniture. Perhaps you could choose glazing with a striking pattern in harmony with an updated theme for the living area. Let’s look at some FAQs about living room cabinet glass.
Q: On what pieces of living room furniture might decorative door glass be used?
A: Possibilities include wall units, credenzas, bookcases, end tables cabinets, and storage coffee tables.
Q: Is there a benefit to using clear cabinet glass in a living room?
A: Switching to transparent door fronts can create a sense of space and openness.
Q: If I have cabinet glass installed on one set of living room cabinet doors, do I need to use it on all the others, as well.
A: No. Since glass is a classic material that pairs beautifully with wood and metal, it’s just fine to leave some cupboard doors as they are while altering others with decorative glass.
5. How about cabinet door glass on bathroom vanities?
Glass can certainly be used to spruce up a bathroom vanity. In fact, it could be part of a larger project of adding glass to the space – replacing the curtain and rod with glass shower doors, hiding the toilet behind an obscure glass screen, or boosting storage space with glass wall shelves, for example. You may wish to match the style of the vanity’s cabinet glass to that of other glass in the room. For instance, if your shower enclosure is made of acid-etched glass, using this on the vanity can tie it all together. A sink area that you’ve transformed with decorative glass can get a further makeover in one or more of the following ways:
• Declutter the vanity counter and make it easier to keep it this way by adding in-drawer organizers and cute storage bins.
• Upgrade to a custom vanity mirror.
• Get new knobs and handles for your vanity drawers and doors.
• Paint or otherwise refinish the vanity.
• Replace vanity shelving with glass.
6. Can cabinet glass be used in laundry rooms or mudrooms?
Even very utilitarian spaces like laundry rooms and mudrooms can get a boost from decorative door glass. Providing plenty of storage options is key to keeping rooms like these orderly and pleasant to be in. In the laundry room, for example, you may need somewhere to store detergent, fabric softener, and stain removers out of the reach of children and pets. A wall cabinet above the washer and dryer is a handy option, and decorative cabinet glass means that it will also enhance the room’s aesthetic appeal. Mudrooms also need various storage solutions like wall hooks, shelves, and cabinets. Many homeowners are taking a closer look at their mudrooms and making changes:
• Give the mudroom a theme and color scheme just like other parts of the home.
• Add enough storage for the mudroom to be reasonably tidy rather than a hot mess of backpacks, coats, and shoes covering the floor and every other surface.
• Include storage items that are also decorative – like cabinet glass, glass shelving, or unique wall hooks.
• Impart character and charm with whimsical or vintage-style light fixtures.
7. How should I choose a cabinet glass style?
Each style of cabinet glass comes with its pros and cons, so which one is right for your project? The answer depends on many factors including your design goals and practical considerations. Let’s take a closer look at each.
Clear and Ultra-Clear Cabinet Glass Pros
• It’s perfect for displaying beautiful or interesting items.
• Transparent door fronts create a feeling of space and openness.
• The smooth surface is easy to wipe clean.
• The neutral appearance of clear glass matches a wide range of styles and color palettes.
Clear and Ultra-Clear Cabinet Glass Cons
• Since what’s stored behind the glass remains visible, you’ll want to keep the cupboard’s contents tidy at all times.
• For the same reason, cabinets with clear door fronts are not idea for storing less visually attractive items like canned goods or boxes of cereal.
Acid-Etched Cabinet Glass Pros
• Its classic look harmonizes with many bathroom design schemes.
• Obscure glass blurs the view of what’s stored behind it, so you don’t need to worry about always styling the cupboard’s contents.
• The frosted appearance may camouflage spots and smudges.
Acid-Etched Cabinet Glass Cons
• It is not suitable for displaying collectibles or attractive dishware.
• The textured surface can be more difficult to clean.
Patterned Glass Pros
• Diverse patterns are available, making it easy to find something that works with your mode of décor.
• Its obscuring properties make it suitable for cupboards that house less display-worthy items.
Patterned Glass Cons
• It is not suitable for displaying collectibles or attractive dishware.
• The textured surface can be more difficult to clean.
Tinted Glass Pros
• It makes the view of what’s behind it indistinct so that you don’t have to keep things perpetually tidy.
• The smooth surface is easy to wipe clean.
Tinted Glass Cons
• It is not suitable for displaying collectibles or attractive dishware.
• This look is less popular in general than the other types of cabinet glass.
As mentioned earlier, there are situations in which two types of cabinet glass are used within the same space. For instance, if you want to transform all your kitchen cabinets but don’t want to have to keep all the contents organized, you could choose clear or ultra-clear glass for select units but have etched, patterned, or tinted glass installed in the others.
8. Are there tips for styling a cupboard with clear cabinet door glass?
On the subject of clear cabinet door fronts, there are many ways you can make a cupboard’s contents more photo-worthy. Put one or more of the following tips into practice so that whatever is behind your clear cabinet glass adds to the room’s style and beauty.
• Avoid clutter. If you have to pack a cabinet to the gills, let it be one that does not have clear glass door fronts.
• Hide clutter in attractive storage containers. If you can’t pare down the cupboard’s contents, transfer the piles and stacks into matching bins or baskets.
• Try to store visually appealing items in these cabinets like dishes, books, handmade bowls, and so forth.
• Arrange the contents in individual vignettes that each include items of various heights, textures, and colors.
• Change up how you arrange the same item. For instance, in a cupboard with stacks of plates, store one pretty plate upright on a stand. On a bookshelf, you can line up some books vertically while stacking others.
• Finish off stacks with a different item. Possibilities include a mug or pitcher atop a stack of saucers or a vase on a stack of books.
• Decorate the back of the cupboard by painting, stenciling, or covering it with contact paper.
• Add stick-on LED lights inside the cabinet to highlight your display.
• Use a feather duster to quickly clean the items and shelves once a week.
9. How should decorative cabinet glass be cared for?
Of course it’s important to keep the cabinet’s contents clean and tidy, but the glass itself also needs care in order to stay looking its best. Use this handy guide to keep your glass sparkly and fresh.
• Dust the glass frequently, especially if it is in a kitchen where cooking grease can mix with dust and make it difficult to remove.
• Always clean both sides of the glass.
• At regular intervals, clean the cabinet glass with a 50/50 water and vinegar solution or an approved glass cleaner. Use old newspaper or a microfiber cloth to cut down on lint residue.
• Never use harsh cleaners or abrasive materials on your door glass.
• Apply the cleaning solution to the rag or newspaper instead of spraying it on the glass to avoid damage to the wood surrounds.
• Always buff glass dry immediately and repeat the process of cleaning and buffing until no streaks remain.
• Spot clean cabinet glass right away if you notice food splatters, mud, or other debris on its surface.
10. What are the steps for replacing cupboard door fronts with glass?
If you’d like to make cabinet glass a reality in your home, contact ABC Glass & Mirror at (703)257-7150 to schedule a free in-home consultation and estimate. One of our glaziers will visit your home to inspect the cabinet doors, take measurements, and note any special situations. He will also show you product samples and photos and be available to answer any questions you may have about the product or the process. We follow up with an emailed price quote, and once you place your order, your glass is fabricated. The project wraps up with an installation appointment at which a trained team puts the cabinet glass in place. In summary, the general steps to beautifying a room with decorative cabinet door glass are:
• Consultation with a glass specialist
• Measurement
• Estimate
• Order placed
• Glass prepped
• Glass installed
The ABC Glass & Mirror team has been improving local homes with custom glass for over 20 years. We would love the chance to earn your business as well and hope you’ll give us a call to learn more – (703)257-7150.
