KITCHEN DESIGN GUIDE

Supermatt Kitchen Cabinets: BONDI, FENIX & GEO - The Architecture of Matte Surfaces

A supermatt finish is not simply a matte finish taken further. The distinction is material and technical, not just visual. Standard matte surfaces reduce reflectivity but retain a degree of sheen. Supermatt surfaces absorb light almost entirely - producing a colour depth and tactile softness that reads as genuinely different from anything a lacquered or painted surface can achieve.

The result is a cabinet front that feels architectural rather than decorative - and that performs better in daily use than its refined appearance might suggest.

ALURO-TOPOS-Classic custom modern german kitchen (11).jpg

What Makes a Finish Supermatt?

Supermatt finishes are engineered at a material level to minimise light reflectivity while maximising surface durability. Where a standard matte finish reflects roughly 10-15% of light, supermatt surfaces - particularly those using nanotechnology like FENIX - reflect as little as 2-3%. The visual effect is a colour that appears richer and more saturated, with no glare even under direct artificial lighting.

This matters practically: in kitchens where LED strips or recessed fixtures are positioned above cabinetry, supermatt surfaces produce no hotspots or visible reflections - the surface reads uniformly at every angle. Combined with fingerprint resistance and soft-touch texture, this makes supermatt the finish of choice for kitchens where the design is meant to hold up under scrutiny.

Charcoal supermatt BONDI Leicht kitchen with illuminated drawer interiors and flush tall cabinets

Explore BONDI, F45 FENIX, GEO and MINERA supermatt programs

Fronts & Materials

FENIX: The Technology Behind F45

FENIX is an Italian surface material developed using nanotechnology - specifically, Electron Beam Curing (EBC) - to produce a surface with properties that no standard laminate or lacquer can replicate. Leicht's F45 front uses FENIX material, which delivers:

Thermal self-healing: Light surface scratches can be removed by applying a warm iron through a cloth - the nanoparticles reform under heat. This is not a warranty workaround; it is a designed feature of the material.

Anti-fingerprint performance: The non-porous surface does not hold grease or oils - marks that do appear wipe off completely with a dry cloth, leaving no residue.

Colour depth: FENIX colours appear more saturated than equivalent lacquer tones - the ultra-low reflectivity allows the pigment to read fully without the interference of light bounce.

It has received Dwell's Best Design Material award and the 2017 Iconic Award in Product: Best of the Best - recognitions that reflect its position as a genuinely novel material rather than a marketing designation.

Matte black supermatt Leicht kitchen with LED strip lighting and concrete accent backsplash

Leicht's Supermatt Programs

BONDI - A coloured supermatt laminate with a soft-touch surface and fingerprint-resistant finish. The most accessible entry point into supermatt - available in a wide colour range and suited to both full-kitchen compositions and accent applications. Pairs naturally with handleless cabinetry where the uninterrupted surface reads at its best.

F45 - Made with FENIX material. The highest-performance supermatt option in the Leicht range, with thermal self-healing capability and exceptional colour depth. See the full FENIX description above.

GEO - A supermatt laminate with a geometric surface texture - a fine, structured pattern pressed into the face of the front. The texture adds tactile interest and visual depth while maintaining the matte quality. GEO is the most distinctive of the supermatt programs: suited to kitchens where the surface itself is a design feature.

MINERA - A supermatt textured lacquer with a mineral-like surface quality. Where BONDI and F45 are smooth, MINERA introduces subtle surface texture that adds depth under raking light. A refined choice for kitchens where the matte quality needs additional material character.

Where Supermatt Works Best

Supermatt finishes are particularly effective in kitchens with strong natural or artificial lighting - where a standard gloss or semi-gloss surface would create glare and reflective interference. They work equally well in darker colour palettes, where the matte quality prevents the surface from feeling flat or lifeless - the colour reads with full saturation without needing reflectivity to carry it.

They pair naturally with minimalist kitchen design, contemporary kitchens, and wood veneer combinations - the matte quality of the supermatt surface and the natural texture of wood share the same visual register without competing.

Leicht supermatt kitchen with soft grey BONDI cabinet fronts and ambient under-cabinet lighting

Supermatt vs. Standard Matte: Is It Worth the Difference?

For most kitchens, yes. Standard matte lacquer is a good finish. Supermatt - particularly FENIX and BONDI - is a better one: more resistant, more consistent, and more visually refined. The price difference between standard matte and supermatt is real but not dramatic at Leicht's level of production, and the performance difference over a 10-year period is significant.

Explore Leicht's full cabinet program range, or visit our Queens showroom to experience BONDI, F45, and GEO surfaces in person - the difference between supermatt and standard matte is entirely tactile and does not read on screen.