Reflective Surfaces & High Gloss Finishes | The Shining Trend in Interiors

Step into a room with high-gloss finishes, and everything changes. From softly gleaming cabinetry to mirror-like finishes that double the sense of space, reflective surfaces and high gloss materials are currently trending but also stand timeless. 

Once associated with opulence, they’ve been reimagined for the modern home with sleek profiles, clever applications, and a sophisticated palette. Their ability to play with light, amplify space, and complement open-plan rooms makes them a powerful design tool, and one that’s trending in interior design projects right now. 

Let’s explore the trend and delve into the way you can elevate your interior design projects with brand partners within our product library.

Design: Mulberry Manor | Photography: Alyne Media  | Style Edit: Mulberry Manor

Design: Alchemists ID | Photography: Arne Studio | Style Edit: Kensington Park

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There’s a natural gravitation towards light in interiors. As homes become more connected to the outdoors through expansive windows and glazed openings, it’s natural to find ways to amplify that natural brightness and create a dynamic interplay of reflection and shadow. High gloss finishes, whether lacquered cabinetry, polished stone, glass, or mirrored furniture, bounce light around a space, transforming even compact rooms into luminous sanctuaries.

Beyond their practical benefits, reflective finishes also tap into a broader cultural mood: one of celebration, sophistication, and a desire for interiors that feel as special as they are functional. Glossy and reflective elements bring a polished edge to the home, really completing the space.

Kitchens as the Modern Showpiece

Few areas showcase the impact of reflective finishes better than the kitchen. Gloss cabinetry, particularly in deep jewel tones or moody neutrals, has become a sought-after way to elevate the heart of the home. The sleek surfaces not only reflect ambient and task lighting, but also create a clean, contemporary look that pairs beautifully with contrasting textures like matte stone or timber.

Glass splashbacks, metallic range hoods, and polished quartz benchtops add further layers of shine. The reflective qualities here aren’t just aesthetic, they’re practical, too. Gloss surfaces are generally easier to wipe clean, making them ideal for a high-traffic, mess-prone space.

If you explore our product library, find Merlino offer a wide range of high gloss finishes across dining tables, while SilkSurface polished quartz surfaces and WK Stone gloss boards continue to be favourites for designers seeking a chic yet hardwearing finish.

Image Credit: Style Sourcebook Partner | WK Stone

Spa-Like Bathrooms

Bathrooms are another natural canvas for shine. Here, gloss tiles, polished tapware, and reflective glass come together to create spa-inspired spaces that feel expansive and luxurious. Large-format gloss tiles are particularly impactful, enhancing light and making even the smallest bathrooms appear larger.

Polished chrome, brushed gold, or champagne tapware further heighten the effect, adding moments of sparkle without overwhelming the space. A mirrored wall cabinet is not just practical but doubles the illusion of depth, perfect for compact ensuites.

Partners like Highgrove Bathrooms, Timberline and ABI Interiors bring gloss to life with ranges of reflective tiles, glistening finishes, and polished fixtures that embody the blend of practicality and indulgence. 

The Shine in Living Spaces

Reflective finishes are no longer confined to kitchens and bathrooms, they’re appearing in living rooms, dining areas, and bedrooms in creative and unexpected ways. Think high gloss lacquered sideboards, glass coffee tables, or mirrored plinths that catch the eye and elevate everyday furniture into statement pieces.

For the mood boards projects that prefer subtlety, layering high gloss with matte finishes creates balance. A glossy sideboard against a textured wall, or a lacquered console beneath a soft linen pendant, achieves harmony while still embracing the trend.

Mirrored furniture, once considered purely glamorous, has also matured into a versatile staple. When used thoughtfully, it can create visual lightness in a room by reflecting flooring or greenery from outside, blending seamlessly into its surroundings while adding a sense of spaciousness.

Image Credit: Style Sourcebook Partner | Highgrove Bathrooms

Image Credit: Style Sourcebook Partner | Timberline

Colour, Texture & Reflection

The power of reflective finishes lies not just in their gloss but in how they interact with colour and texture. Deep hues like navy, forest green, or charcoal come alive when paired with gloss, intensifying the colour while giving it depth and sophistication. Also, pale tones such as cream, blush, or sage take on an ethereal quality when rendered in reflective finishes, imbuing a softness that feels both fresh and timeless.

Pairing gloss with tactile materials like natural timber, boucle, or honed stone creates contrast that is contemporary and layered. It’s this interplay between reflection and texture that defines the new era of high gloss, moving away from all-over shine to a more nuanced, design-led application.

The Art of Balance in Your Mood Boards 

As with any strong trend, balance is key. While reflective finishes can open up a space and bring a premium shine to the space, too much can feel overwhelming. This is why your mood board projects are perfect for designing a space, as you can test the balance and experiment. If you use gloss strategically on cabinetry fronts, splashbacks, or feature furniture while allowing matte finishes to anchor the look. This creates a space that is inviting, tactile, and comfortable while still benefiting from the sophistication of reflection.

Image Credit: East Maitland Project | Muse Built 

Image Credit: Muse Built | Photography: 

Styling with Reflective Surfaces

For those looking to embrace this trend in smaller, accessible ways, styling can play an important role. Glossy ceramic vases, mirrored trays, metallic candleholders, or glass pendant lights can instantly uplift a room without the need for structural changes. Partner brands like Gioia Wall Art also showcase how reflective qualities can be introduced through artwork, whether in glass framing, metallic accents, or glossy finishes that give art pieces an added dimension.

Why This Trend Matters

Reflective surfaces and high gloss finishes are more than just a passing trend. They represent a shift towards interiors that are open and full of energy. Their versatility means they can adapt across styles, from minimalist to maximalist, contemporary to classic, making them an enduring design element. 

By embracing reflective materials, you can offer new ways to manipulate space, light, and mood in interior design projects. In an era of blending functionality with sophistication, gloss finishes deliver by balancing practicality with undeniable elegance within your mood boards. 

Are you looking for the perfect finish for your kitchen and bathroom projects? Find surfaces in our product library and use our mood board tool and Project Studio to create your dream space.