High Gloss Storage Units Buying Guide: What to Look for Before You Order

Before ordering a high gloss storage unit, check five things: the quality and depth of the gloss finish, what the carcass is made from, how the doors and drawers open and close, whether the colour suits the light in your room, and whether the dimensions leave enough space around the unit for it to look and work well. A good high gloss piece has a smooth, even surface with no ripples, sealed edges, sturdy hinges and runners, and proportions that suit the wall it sits against.

High gloss sideboards are the most common form of gloss storage in UK living and dining rooms, and our modern high gloss sideboards UK sale range is a useful place to compare styles. The advice below applies equally to media units, chests and bedroom storage.

Why Choose High Gloss Storage

High gloss finishes reflect light, so they can make a room feel brighter and a little more spacious. That makes them a practical choice for smaller UK living rooms and flats, especially those with limited daylight. The smooth surface also gives storage a clean, contemporary look that suits modern interiors and pairs well with minimal decor.

Gloss is easy to wipe clean, which helps in busy rooms, though it does show fingerprints and dust more readily than matt finishes. If you like a crisp, polished look and do not mind a quick wipe now and then, gloss storage can be a very satisfying choice. It works as part of a coordinated living room furniture UK scheme, or as a single reflective piece among wood and fabric.

Understanding Gloss Finishes

Not all high gloss is made the same way, and the method affects appearance and durability.

Lacquered Gloss

Several layers of lacquer are sprayed onto the surface and polished. Done well, this gives a deep, mirror like shine with very smooth edges. Lacquered finishes can be very durable but may chip if struck hard on an edge.

Laminated or Foil Gloss

A gloss film or laminate is bonded to the board. Good quality laminates are tough and consistent, and they resist everyday scratches well. Lower quality versions can show seams at the edges or peel over time, particularly near heat sources.

UV Cured Gloss

Some panels are finished with a lacquer cured under ultraviolet light. This creates a hard, high shine surface that resists yellowing and is common on modern, flat fronted furniture.

What a Good Finish Looks Like

When you are assessing a gloss unit, look along the surface at an angle under good light.

• Reflections should be clear and undistorted. Ripples or an orange peel texture suggest an uneven finish.
• Edges should be neatly sealed. Gaps, lifting or visible joins at the edges can let moisture in.
• Colour should be consistent across doors, drawers and the carcass, with no patchy areas.
• Corners should feel smooth, without sharp burrs or rough patches.

Product photography can only tell you so much, so read the full description carefully, paying attention to the finish type and materials listed.

Choosing a Colour

White Gloss

White gloss is the classic choice. It brightens dark rooms, suits small spaces and works with most colour schemes. It can look stark in very cool light, so warm it up with wood, textiles or plants.

Grey Gloss

Grey gloss is softer than white and hides marks a little better. Lighter greys feel airy, while charcoal greys look rich and modern. Check the undertone against your walls and floor.

Black Gloss

Black gloss is dramatic and sophisticated, especially in larger rooms or as a media unit where it frames the TV. It shows dust and fingerprints most clearly, so it suits tidier households.

Two Tone and Coloured Gloss

Many designs combine gloss fronts with wood effect tops or frames. This softens the look and can bridge the gap between modern and traditional furniture. Coloured gloss in shades such as cream, taupe or soft green is less common but can add personality.

Doors, Drawers and Internal Layout

The working parts of a storage unit matter as much as its finish.

• Push to open doors: keep the front completely handleless for a seamless look. They are convenient but will be pressed often, so a durable finish is important.
• Soft close hinges: prevent doors from banging and protect the finish over time.
• Drawer runners: metal runners, ideally full extension and soft close, give a smoother action than basic slides.
• Adjustable shelves: let you adapt the interior to tall bottles, files or media equipment.
• Cable management: for media units, look for cut outs at the back so wires can pass through neatly.
• LED lighting: some gloss units include integrated lighting, which can create a soft glow in the evening. Check how it is powered and switched.

Sizing and Placement

High gloss units tend to have clean, horizontal lines, so proportion is key.

• Sideboards: in a living or dining room, a sideboard usually looks balanced when it is shorter than the wall it sits against, with some clear space either side.
• Media units: choose a unit wider than your TV so the screen does not overhang. Our high gloss TV stands UK sale include low and wide designs that suit large screens.
• Bedroom storage: gloss chests and bedside cabinets can brighten a bedroom. Our high gloss chest of drawers UK range offers sizes for different rooms.
• Depth: check how far the unit projects into the room and leave space for doors and drawers to open.

Avoid placing gloss units directly in front of radiators or in strong, direct sunlight for long periods, as heat and UV can affect some finishes over time.

Balancing Gloss With Other Materials

A room filled entirely with gloss can feel cold. The most successful schemes mix reflective surfaces with natural and textured materials.

• Pair white gloss with an oak floor or a wooden coffee table.
• Add a textured rug, linen curtains or a boucle chair.
• Use plants and ceramics to bring softness and colour.
• Include warm metal accents such as brass or bronze.

If your gloss storage includes a white media unit, our guide on what goes with a white TV unit in UK living rooms offers more ideas for pairing colours and materials.

Caring for High Gloss Furniture

Gloss is easy to look after with the right approach.

• Dust regularly with a soft microfibre cloth.
• Wipe marks with a slightly damp cloth and dry immediately.
• Avoid abrasive cleaners, scouring pads and solvent based polishes, which can dull or scratch the surface.
• Use coasters and mats to protect against heat and spills.
• Lift objects rather than dragging them across the surface.

With gentle care, a good gloss finish will stay bright and smooth for many years.

What to Look for in the Construction

Beneath the shine, the carcass does the real work. Most gloss storage is built from MDF or particleboard, both of which provide the flat, stable surface a gloss finish needs. MDF tends to give a smoother base and crisper edges, which is why it is often used for doors and drawer fronts. Whichever board is used, check that the back panel is fixed securely and that shelves are thick enough not to bow under the weight of books or electronics.

Look at the feet or plinth too. Raised legs make cleaning underneath easier and give a lighter look, while a plinth base feels more solid and stops dust gathering beneath. Wall hung gloss units float above the floor for a very clean look, but they need a sound wall and fixings rated for the load. If you have pets that like to explore, a plinth base or wall hung design avoids toys and fluff disappearing underneath.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

A few choices tend to cause regret. Buying a black gloss unit for a sunny room means dust will show in every beam of light. Choosing a long gloss sideboard for a short wall can make the room feel cramped, as the reflective surface draws attention to its size. And mixing several slightly different whites, such as a gloss white unit beside cream walls and an ivory sofa, can make each one look a little off. If you want white, keep the shades close or clearly contrasting.

Final Checklist Before You Order

1. Confirm the finish type and read the material description.
2. Choose a colour that suits your light and existing furniture.
3. Check doors, hinges and drawer runners.
4. Measure the wall, the depth and the clearance for opening.
5. Plan how you will balance gloss with wood, textiles or metal.

Once you have your answers, browse our range of gloss storage at Furniture in Fashion. Returns are available up to 30 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does high gloss furniture scratch easily?

Good quality gloss is reasonably resistant to everyday wear, but it can scratch if cleaned with abrasive products or if objects are dragged across it. Use soft cloths and lift items rather than sliding them.

Is high gloss furniture good for small rooms?

Yes. The reflective surface bounces light around, which can help a small or darker room feel brighter and more open.

How do I stop high gloss furniture showing fingerprints?

Fingerprints cannot be avoided completely, but a quick wipe with a dry microfibre cloth removes them easily. Grey and white gloss tend to show marks less than black.

Can high gloss furniture go in a bathroom?

Some gloss furniture is designed for bathrooms, with moisture resistant boards and sealed edges. Standard living room gloss units are not usually suitable for humid spaces.