Want See-Through Cabinets? Glass Is Not Your Only Choice
Posted on: 7 April 2015
When most people think of cabinets that they can see into, glass is the first material that comes to mind. However, it is far from the only choice for see-through cabinet doors. If you want to display your fine china, cookware, or other interesting kitchen gadgets in a see-though cabinet, be sure to consider these other choices, too.
Wire Mesh
Similar to the screens on your windows, wire mesh cabinet doors let you see into the cabinet, but they aren't totally transparent. They are rapidly gaining popularity as more homeowners embrace the industrial kitchen style. They can also be integrated into a country-style kitchen, especially when mesh with large, diamond-shaped spaces between the wires is used.
Wire mesh-front cabinets might be a good choice if you want to be able to see the contents of your cabinets, but don't necessarily want to worry that guests are going to peer through and notice that your dishes or utensils aren't spotless. Their one major downfall is that since they're not completely solid, dust can blow through them and onto the contents of your cabinets.
Plexiglass
Do you love the look of glass, but worry about what will happen if your toddler or dog accidentally crashes into the cabinet door? Plexiglass allows you to have the look of glass without the danger. It won't shatter like glass. It's also a lot lighter than glass, which makes it a good choice if you're considering replacing the glass in old kitchen cabinet doors that you're concerned can no longer support the weight of glass.
Since they are clear and simple, plexiglass cabinet doors can be used in any style of kitchen. The downfall of plexiglass is that it can become scratched if you nick it with a knife or another sharp object.
Picket-Style Wood
A truly unique cabinet door style to consider is picket-style wood. Much like a picket fence, it consists of narrow, criss-crossed pieces of wood. You can find picket-front cabinets with both narrow and wide slats. If you want to barely be able to catch a glimpse of the items inside a cabinet, wider wood slats are a good choice. They're also a better option if you have a lot of small items in your cupboards, since there are not big spaces for the items to fall through. Smaller slates with more space between them let you show off special items, such as a china set.
Picket-style wood cabinet doors have a very country look. They're perfect for traditional, rustic kitchens and add an element of coziness to your space. Their downfall is that they can be tough to clean -- you have to individually dust all of the slats.
Punched Metal
Perhaps you want only to catch a glimpse of the items inside of your cabinet when you look at the door. Punched metal inlays are perfect for this. Typically, this style of cabinet door consists of a wooden frame with a metal center. There is a carefully shaped hole or holes punched in the center of the metal piece, allowing you to barely see into the cabinet. Often, this hole has a special shape, such as that of a rooster or flower.
Punched metal cabinet doors can have a country appeal if they feature a punched image reminiscent of the country. However, they can also be used in artistic and vintage-chic style kitchens. They are not usually as see-though as the other options, and they can sometimes become tarnished, depending on what type of metal they are made from.
If you'd rather not completely hide your kitchen items behind cabinet doors, then keep the options above in mind. They're less common and less well-known than glass, so they're sure to earn you some complements and questions from guests.
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