Temporary fix for mud brown apartment kitchen cabinets ?

  10 answers
  • FL FL on May 19, 2017

    How about some bright silver/metal or colorful porcelain knobs and handles? Maybe even some removable dรฉcor on the caboinets made with Washi tape or decals or a shaped cut-out of contact paper or wallpaper? Good luck!

  • Carol Carol on May 19, 2017

    If you or someone you know has a diecutting machine like a cricut you can use vinyl to cut just about any design to put on the fronts of the cabinets and it can be taken off

  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on May 19, 2017

    Instead of focusing on cabinets that really are not yours redirect your thought and change out accessories.A colorful throw rug,towels etc. I would not spend dollars on a rental.My opinion

  • Lucy Marie Bernier Lucy Marie Bernier on May 19, 2017

    Done it, between the counter tops and mud brown cabinets. Argh!

  • Patricia Probasco Patricia Probasco on May 21, 2017

    If it were me, the first thing I would do is speak to the owner. Explain what you want to do and get a letter of approval. It could prevent problems in the future.

  • Leah Leah on May 21, 2017

    AS a long time apartment/townhome dweller, I actually will spend a few bucks for a huge improvement on the rental. My happiness in my "cheapish" surroundings are worth a buck or two. I always keep things I take down or apart together so that I can replace when I move.

    In order of cost:

    You could take down one or two doors and replace with other doors in a better color or to use a base. Check if you have a Habitat for humanity ReStore in your town, or haunt yard sales. Measure at home and keep notes in your purse for when you find a couple of give- away doors. If you do this, you can, replace the inner panel with glass, or chicken wire, or paint or stamped painted patterns, or stencils. If you donโ€™t want to buy replacement doors, you can just remove doors and insert small spring loaded curtain rods inside, hang with b/w gingham for a rustic look, or toile for a fancier look. Now if either of these ideas are not for you, you can always use trusty contact paper. Dollar Store is a cheapy source. You can cover the ENTIRE cabinet with the fako wood pattern, or whatever you like. Yes, it is an afternoon with an exacto knife but it will look pretty good when you are done if you take care. Iโ€™d also look into changing out the door knobs. LOTS of things can work instead of handles, even hardy stick twigs or threaded through and beaded twine. Just know that the use will be constant so go hardy.

    You can also staple burlap, or some other hardworking material to the doors. You can also apply thinner material with a starch mixture to the facings/front of cabinet. You wonโ€™t be able to wash them, but for a few months they will look spiffy until they donโ€™t but thatโ€™s an easy fix with a quick wet with water, peel off, machine rewash, restarched and up they go again, usually no damage to cheapo plastic cabinets, but as always test a small area to ensure that it will work.

    Two tone is pretty popular right now so you could go that route with black contact paper. Also if you have cabinets not SO close to fire/water, you can use decorative papers, wrapping paper, brown paper either wrapped, stapled or doublesided taped. All of which, can be painted, stamped, stenciled etc.

    Keep all screws and pieces together in a plastic bag taped to the doors, (you can slide and store them under a bed or couch just to get them out of the way) so that you can replace when you move.

    Good Luck!

  • Lucy Marie Bernier Lucy Marie Bernier on May 21, 2017

    They paint them color so you don't see the mess. But I'll ask them. Thanks .. :)

  • Lucy Marie Bernier Lucy Marie Bernier on May 21, 2017

    Wow !!!!! Burlap can't stand the smell . Canvas drop cloth with some stenciling on it. Thanks you gave me a bunch of ideas to work with.

  • Lucy Marie Bernier Lucy Marie Bernier on May 21, 2017

    Great ideas to work off . Thank you Here's what I got to work with.

  • Lucy Marie Bernier Lucy Marie Bernier on May 21, 2017

    Here's 2 pics of the cabinets.