One of the most pricey parts of home improvements can be getting new kitchen doors. But if the structure of your cabinets is still good, there’s no need to change them all. You can update your cabinets and give your whole kitchen a new look without pulling anything out if you know what you’re doing. You can give your space new style and life on a budget with these ideas, even if the finishes or tools are old.
Clean the Surfaces and Remove Deep Grease
Before you make any changes to the way your cabinets look, you should clean them really well. Kitchen cabinets get dirty, grimy, and fingerprinted over time, which makes them look old. Use a cleaner that gets rid of grease or warm water, dish soap, and vinegar mixed together. Pay extra attention to the edges, corners, cabinet doors, and especially the area around the stove. They will look better after being cleaned, and the surface will be smooth enough to paint or repair.
Add a New Coat of Paint
One of the easiest and least expensive ways to make your cabinets look new again is to paint them. Pick a good paint that will last and is made for painting trim or cabinets. Depending on the look you want, matte, satin, and semi-gloss treatments will all work well. Brighten up a dark kitchen with light colors like white, cream, or soft gray. Make a fashion statement with strong colors like blue or forest green. When you take the cabinet doors off, don’t forget to name them so they are easy to put back on. To get a smooth, professional finish, lightly sand the surface before primer and painting.
Change the handles on the cabinets
Putting on new knobs, pulls, or handles on old cabinets can make them look just like new. The hardware in your kitchen is like jewelry: it’s a small thing that makes a big difference. Pick hardware that goes with the style of your kitchen as a whole. A modern look can be achieved with handles made of brushed silver or matte black. For a touch of old charm, brass or antique finishes can be used. It’s easy to put in new tools; all you need is a key or drill.
Change or add cabinet molding
Crown molding or trim on top of your cabinets makes them look more elegant and polished. For a more personalized look, you can also add trim pieces to the cabinet doors or sides. A lot of places that sell home improvement supplies have molding that is already cut out and ready to be put up with finishing nails or glue. If the trim around your cabinets is old or worn, updating it to a cleaner or more modern style can make the whole room look better.
Put open shelves where some doors used to be
You could make the room feel lighter and more open by taking off a few cabinet doors and putting up open shelves. This method works great for upper closets and lets you show off dishes, glasses, or recipes. To make the cabinets look more interesting, paint the inside a color that is different from the outside, or line them with wallpaper or peel-and-stick tiles. For a stylish and useful look, keep your open shelves clean and well-organized.
Peel-and-stick wallpaper or contact paper should be used
With contact paper or peel-and-stick wallpaper, you can change the way your cabinets look without making any lasting changes. For a pop of design or texture, put it on the inside of glass-front doors, the back panels of cabinets, or even the fronts of drawers. There are many choices that are waterproof and can be taken off, which are great for kitchens. If you are renting or just want a quick change without painting, this is a great job for you.
Put in decorative panels or glass inserts
If you’re up for a little more work, you can take out the center pieces of some cabinet doors and replace them with glass, wire mesh, or pretty inserts. This gives the cabinet a high-end, unique look without having to be replaced. Modern kitchens look great with frosted or twisted glass, while country kitchens look great with chicken wire or punched metal.
Fix up instead of painting
You might want to repair your cabinets instead of painting them if you like the wood grain but they look old. First, sand the surfaces to get rid of the old finish. Next, paint or seal the wood with a clear coat. This method brings out the natural beauty of the wood and gives your kitchen a new, clean look without changing the way your cabinets look.
Put in lighting inside the cabinets
To make your cabinets look more modern and easy to see through, add LED strip lights or puck lights inside them. This works especially well in open or glass-front cabinets where you want to show off dishes or decorations. You can use battery-powered or plug-in lights for this project, so you don’t have to worry about hardwiring it. Lighting in the kitchen makes it more useful and more pleasant to be in.
Add decorative items to make the look better
After you clean and polish your cabinets, add little details that make the room your own. Hang veggies or plants near the corners of your cabinets, put your favorite mugs or bowls on an open shelf, or hang framed kitchen art on the walls of your cabinets. These small touches connect your new cabinets to the rest of the kitchen’s design and make it feel more cozy and planned.
Keep it clean and able to work
One great thing about changing your cabinets instead of removing them is that you can keep your storage space while making them easier to use. Take this chance to clean out and rearrange the inside of your cabinets. To make the most of the room you have, add shelf risers, bins, and closet organizers. Getting rid of anything that isn’t being used or has passed its expiration date will make your new cabinets not only look good, but also work well.
Conclusion: Big Change, Not Much Money Spent
You don’t need a huge budget or skilled help to update your kitchen drawers. Some easy changes, like painting, putting in new hardware, or adding lights, can give your kitchen a new look without all the mess and cost of a full makeover. You can make your kitchen feel more like the heart of your home with these easy do-it-yourself projects. These changes will make a big difference with little work, whether you’re getting ready to sell your home or just want to enjoy your room more.
