When it comes to custom carpentry, most homeowners focus on size, layout, and storage — but one often overlooked factor is laminate finishing.
Laminate is the outer skin of your built-in furniture. It’s what you see, touch, and clean every day. The finish you choose affects not just aesthetics, but also how easy your carpentry is to maintain and how long it stays looking new.
At White Artz Carpentry, we guide clients through the full selection process. Here’s a breakdown of the four most common laminate finishes used in Singapore homes — and how to choose the right one for your lifestyle.
1. Matt Laminate Finish
Matt laminates have a smooth, flat surface that doesn’t reflect much light. They’re great for achieving a clean, soft, and modern look.
✅ Pros:
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Hides fingerprints and light scratches well
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Great for subtle, elegant interiors
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Less reflective, so easier on the eyes
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Wide variety of colors and tones available
🚫 Cons:
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Can show oily marks (especially on dark matt surfaces)
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May look flat or dull in dimly lit spaces
💡 Best Used For:
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Bedroom wardrobes
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Feature panels in living rooms
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TV consoles and study tables
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Homeowners who prefer a minimalist or Scandinavian theme
Matt finishes are often the go-to for those who want easy maintenance without visual distractions. If you want a calming, modern vibe, this is it.
2. Gloss Laminate Finish
Glossy laminates have a high-shine, reflective surface that adds light and depth to a room. It’s popular in modern homes, especially kitchens.
✅ Pros:
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Makes spaces appear bigger and brighter
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Smooth and sleek, with a polished finish
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Easy to clean — one quick wipe and it shines again
🚫 Cons:
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Shows smudges, dust, and scratches more easily
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Needs frequent wiping to maintain the glossy look
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Can produce glare under strong overhead lighting
💡 Best Used For:
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Kitchen cabinet doors
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Smaller rooms that need brightening
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Contemporary interiors with clean lines
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Pairing with woodgrain panels for contrast
Use gloss on overhead kitchen cabinets to bounce light and create a clean, fresh feel. Just note that you’ll need to keep it fingerprint-free — especially in high-touch areas.
3. Anti-Fingerprint (AFP) Laminate
Anti-fingerprint laminates are gaining popularity for their premium feel and super low-maintenance surface. These are often smooth-matt in appearance and feel velvety to the touch.
✅ Pros:
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Resistant to smudges, oil, and fingerprints
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Matte, modern look that feels luxurious
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Easy to clean with just a damp cloth
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Durable surface that stands up to daily use
🚫 Cons:
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Slightly more expensive than regular matt finishes
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Color range is more limited (but growing!)
💡 Best Used For:
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Kitchen drawers and high-touch cabinet doors
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Wardrobes in children’s rooms
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Homes with pets or heavy usage
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Minimalist or high-end interiors
Anti-fingerprint laminates are ideal for homeowners who want the beauty of matt, without the worry of greasy handprints and cleaning headaches.
4. Colour Core Laminate
Colour core laminates are premium laminates where the surface colour runs through the entire material, not just on the top layer. This means even the edges and cuts are the same colour, giving a clean, seamless look — without dark joint lines.
✅ Pros:
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No black or brown edge lines — perfect for minimalist, monolithic designs
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Cleaner finishing at joints, corners, and cut-outs
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Great for modern designs with a “solid block” look
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Ideal for open shelving or areas where edges are visible
🚫 Cons:
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More expensive than standard laminates
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Slightly harder to source; colour range is more limited
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Requires skilled workmanship to fully benefit from the seamless edge effect
💡 Best Used For:
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Open-concept kitchens or island counters
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Floating shelves or exposed edges
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Modern wardrobes and TV consoles with clean lines
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Feature walls with handleless push-open doors
👀 Design Tip:
Use colour core laminate in projects where you want every line and edge to feel refined and invisible. Especially great for white, black, or grey-themed interiors, where dark edges would otherwise stand out.
🎯 Pro Tips from White Artz Carpentry
Here’s how we recommend you mix and match finishes for both function and style:
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Use woodgrain laminates for wardrobe sides or open shelves to add warmth
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Combine matt body panels with glossy top cabinets in kitchens to break up uniformity
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Go for AFP laminates on heavy-use drawers and swing doors
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Choose gloss or light woodgrains in small rooms to make the space feel open
🛠️ Final Thoughts: Function Before Finish
While all finishes can look nice, what matters most is how you live in your home. Families with young kids? Go for low-maintenance matt or AFP. Want something wow-worthy for guests? Gloss may be your best bet.
At White Artz Carpentry, we’ll recommend finishes not just based on design — but also your daily habits, lighting, and space usage.
📩 Ready to build?
Send us a message with your floor plan or inspiration photos — we’ll take care of the rest.
✨ White Artz Carpentry – Beautifully Built, Designed for Living.
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