How to choose the right kitchen fronts

When people imagine their ideal kitchen, they're usually imagining the fronts. The colour, the material, the profile – these are the elements that define the character of the space. Getting them right is worth spending time on.

The main material options

Lacquered MDF is the most versatile and most popular choice. MDF takes paint exceptionally well, giving a uniform, smooth surface in virtually any colour. Matt lacquer is the current preference for most kitchens – it's forgiving, contemporary and ages well. Silk-matt adds a little more depth and refinement. Full gloss is striking but demanding to keep clean.

Solid timber fronts – typically oak, walnut, ash or pine – bring genuine warmth and a natural quality that lacquered surfaces can't replicate. Each front has its own grain pattern. They require a little more care (avoid extended contact with water) but will outlast almost any other option and can be refinished if they're damaged.

Veneer gives the natural appearance of timber at a lower cost and with better dimensional stability. A veneer front won't expand and contract with humidity the way solid timber can.

Laminate is extremely durable, highly resistant to heat and moisture, and available in a wide range of colours and textures including convincing timber and stone effects. It's an excellent choice for high-use kitchens.

Flat, lightly profiled or richly profiled?

Flat fronts (also called slab fronts) are the defining feature of contemporary Scandinavian kitchen design. Clean, simple, easy to wipe down.

Lightly profiled fronts – typically a simple routed groove – add depth and shadow without going fully traditional. Popular for kitchens that want warmth without period styling.

Shaker fronts have a recessed centre panel within a solid frame. Timeless, works equally well in traditional and contemporary settings.

Richly profiled fronts – with multiple mouldings – suit period homes, country kitchens and interiors where character is the priority.

Colour

We can lacquer fronts in any RAL or NCS colour. The most enduring choices tend to be whites and off-whites, warm greys, deep greens and mid-toned blues. Strong colours work well as accent elements – island fronts, a single run of lower cabinets – while more neutral tones tend to work for the majority of the cabinetry.

Whatever colour you choose, we recommend seeing a large-format sample in your actual space before committing. Colours look very different under artificial light than natural, and very different at full scale compared to a small chip.