Honestly, I tried glass uppers once because they looked so nice in the showroom, but I didn’t factor in how much more upkeep they’d be with little fingerprints everywhere. Ended up swapping a couple out for solid doors just to save my sanity (and cleaning budget). I do like the reclaimed glass idea, though—wish I’d thought of that before. It’s a clever way to balance looks and being eco-friendly, but for me, function wins out most days.

Glass uppers really do have that showroom wow factor, but I totally get where you're coming from on the practicality front. I’ve found that unless you’re a super tidy person (or don’t have kids or pets), they can be a pain. That said, mixing in a few solid doors was a smart move—sometimes hybrid solutions just make life easier. And honestly, reclaimed glass is great in theory, but sourcing it can be tricky depending on your area. At the end of the day, function over form is usually the winning call... especially when it keeps your sanity intact.

- I’ve done a few kitchens with glass uppers, and honestly, they look fantastic for about a week—until real life sets in.
- One client had two kids and a dog, and those fingerprints were relentless. We ended up swapping half for solid panels after six months.
- Mixing glass and solid doors is definitely the way to go if you want the look without the constant upkeep.
- Reclaimed glass is a cool idea, but yeah, tracking it down can be more hassle than it’s worth unless you’re in a big city or have connections.
- At the end of the day, if you’re not someone who loves organizing dishes for display, solid doors save a lot of stress... and time.

Glass uppers do have that wow factor, but yeah, unless you’re running a showroom, fingerprints and smudges are just part of the deal. I’ve seen frosted or reeded glass used as a compromise—still lets light in, but hides the chaos inside. Not for everyone, but it’s a bit more forgiving if you want some visual interest without the pressure to keep everything picture-perfect. Mixing door styles really does seem to hit the sweet spot for most families.

Not for everyone, but it’s a bit more forgiving if you want some visual interest without the pressure to keep everything picture-perfect. Mixing door styles really does seem to hit the sweet spot...

Totally agree that mixing door styles is practical, especially for families who actually use their kitchens every day. I’ve done a few builds where we combined solid doors on the lower cabs and reeded glass up top—clients liked having a spot to show off their nicer dishes without stressing about clutter. One thing I’m curious about: has anyone tried those mesh inserts or even metal grids instead of glass? Wondering if they’re easier to keep clean or just end up being dust magnets...