Dated kitchen cabinets

Question

How can I update these kitchen cabinets

John @ AZ DIY Guy · Answer

We had cabinets similar to that in our first house. We painted them a light tan color against slightly darker walls and a white tile board back splash. They turned out great. It takes a bit of work to do it right, but it's not too difficult. What we did was: 1) take the doors off and identify them with numbers so they'd go to the same spot. 2) Clean the doors and face frames with TSP 3) repair any scratches or dings with putty / filler. 4) sand it. 5) apply a good quality primer. 6) apply 2 coats of finish paint. We used those little 6' foam rollers for the painting. 7) replace hinges and add some knobs. Done! Good luck.

Lori J · Answer

You could frame out the doors with some quarter round or molding, the paint them like farmhouse kitchens.

Carole · Answer

If you will forgive me for saying so, the area around the stove/cooker looks quite cluttered which I am guessing is due to having not enough bench space or cupboard space. I know what this is like as I lived in rentals for a long while and we always seemed to have small kitchen with insufficient bench and cupboard space. Having said that, I know you need to keep these items close to hand in the kitchen. I also note some items on top of the cabinets, which I am guessing are your less used items or items that are too big to fit into those cupboards. I think as well as repainting the cupboards, you need to rethink your space. I can't see enough of your kitchen to tell the size of it, but if you have space, perhaps a kitchen island (made from an old dresser or set of drawers or something) could give you the extra space and bench space you seem to need. If you put it on casters, it can be moved out of the way when necessary. Second hand dresser painted to match your cupboards once they are made over would be a good idea. For all the little bits you need to keep by the stove, I would suggest the cupboards over the cooker be adapted to make open shelving or use Perspex or chicken wire or similar for the cabinet doors so you can see what is in the cupboards and to make those items more accessible. Opaque Perspex or glass could also work. You could use that opaque film that comes on a roll from the hardware stores for your cupboard doors, it just sticks to the glass or Perspex by using soapy water and smoothing it on. Cheap and could look good. Some paint and fancy handles would go well to update the remaining cupboards. Would love to see what you come up with and hope you will post the results when you have completed your makeover. Good luck!

Carole · Answer

Another fun idea would be to use chalk paint on one or two of the cupboard doors and you can chalk on the doors what is in them or use the doors as a message board or shopping list.

Connie B · Answer

We had the same problems you're having. We added chair rail to our flat door cabinets. Painted the tops w/ a creamy white and the bottom cabinets became chocolate gel stain. I love the contrast.

Becky Wood · Answer

Do a search on this website and Pinterest for suggestion on how to update your kitchen. I have seen some great ideas on both. Paint, hardware, molding among other things can be done. Good luck.

Anna Erishkigal · Answer

You will need to sand and prime the high-polish finish good to make paint stick. Do this first. Once you've got your surface prepped, you can add a variety of stock-trims to make your cabinets pop. Raised trim: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjM7fHXIn0A More raised trim: http://www.myrepurposedlife.com/2013/10/kitchen-cabinets-updated-with-paint-trim.html Shaker trim (more involved): http://homeguides.sfgate.com/make-shaker-trim-cabinet-doors-30933.html Invest in a decent quality nail gun and mitre-saw if you decide to do this. It will make things go much easier. Good luck!

LuLu Dyes-Morris · Answer

Looks like you have quite a few good suggestions. I like the idea of the molding and light color cabinets. Also, just as important,anything not used at least once a month should probably be store in the basement. This will eliminate most of the cutter. Good luck!

Jeanette S · Answer

Redoing a kitchen is either LOTS OF HARD WORK or expensive. Without knowing what you budget is, I would suggest a really good cleaning. Look at these...they are plain which gives them a rather modern look. Why not try to look at some snazzy hardware on them...like those long rod looking handles (some come 6-7' long)? I would try taping one on the cabinet to see how it looks. You can always re-stain or paint later. Do not trade off real wood cabinets for the newer press board kind!

Katie · Answer

I think your cabinets are pretty nice. I would suggest giving them a really good cleaning; Switch out the hinges to the European style interior hinges; re-organize them so you unclutter your counters cabinet tops; paint; new light backsplash and new counter-tops. As @Jeanette S advises, you can put in some very sleek modern hardware. It's all very hard work and can be expensive, but you have pretty nice cabinets from what I can see. It also, of course depends on the look you are going for….

Sheila · Answer

There are lots of things you can do.  You can spend some $$ and get new doors, or you can get some trim and fake it.  Hardware will also dress them up.  I've seen quite a few kitchens with open upper shelves if you have matchy dishes you want to show off.  You will need to sand them down, regardless, and plan on refinishing them.  I would suggest going to lowes and Home Depot and figuring out what you like, then copy it using trim board and stain or paint.  Home Depot offers tutorials on different paint and stain techniques, if you check their calendar.  Whatever you decide, make sure you love it and take the time to do it right.  This is your kitchen, and you will be stuck with what you do for a while!

Gloria Duy · Answer

Cheryl at Artzzle remodeled her flat cabinets and has a couple of posts about it. http://artzzle.com/2014/02/02/afters-results-on-cabinet-project/

Marion Nesbitt · Answer

Very nice cabinets! Look like ash. Please don't paint. Replace countertop & backsplash - they have the same strange pattern that detracts. Paint backsplash if $ is tight. CUT out mid section of pantry cabinet - this will expand counter space and open the space visually. I did this and the results were great. Storage issues - use wasted space - install slide out/roll out drawers to replace the kickback at the bottom of the cabinets. Frees up amazing amount of space - great for storing cookie sheets, cake pans, platters, rarely used spices, etc., etc.

Delores Lasky · Answer

Paint outside border in your kitchen theme color. Inside use chalkboard paint.

Maria Jimenez · Answer

Your cabinets are quite dated, with that in mind, I would remove the doors and hardware then chalk paint the cabinets in a light color - Annie Sloan Paris Grey would be beautiful, Old White or a taupe color. You tube has great how to videos. I would declutter the counters maybe by putting things in matching baskets, if you must keep things, otherwise put them away if you have the space. Clutter can really make a room look small and messy. It looks like your backsplash is wallpaper? If it tacked down really well and you have limited funds, I would experiment with paint and stencils. When there is limited space, I find that only keeping the essentials is important. Most of us have tons of plastic containers - deli, drink, etc. Get rid of them! Too many plates and pots and pans. Now is the time to declutter. Hope this helps.

Tamara McMillan · Answer

One mans trash is anothers treasure. . . your cabinet fronts are exactly what we have been wanting and can not find. You could remove and sell the front doors and just invest in a new front. I wish there were plain doors with hidden handle holds in our area. Good luck.

Rachael · Answer

I think maybe doing some type of design with a scroll cutter or a router on the doors. This will update them and not cost you too much.

Denise Heineken Miller · Answer

Just finished redoing mine with Rustoleum Cabinet Restorations for about $60. I am so pleased with the results!!!!  Check into it!  It really turns out like the pictures on the box!  And there are many color options!  Good luck!

Denise Heineken Miller · Answer

Here's some before/ after pics. We live on a farm so we did cut some doors and add chicken wire.

Carmen · Answer

I like your cabinets! Do think the idea of changinghinges is a good. Add a nice back splash - I love the glass type, and subway tile.. Replacing counter tops would makea radical change. HATE granite – too high maintenance for me. Look into Formica 180fx, can have the look ofgranite with less expense, more durability, and less maintenance.

DeMarie I · Answer

You could put some molding on them to give some definition. Annie Sloan Chalk paint is great to work with. Covers a multitude of sins. All you need to do is rough up the cabinets - don't even need to prime. You can then use her wax. You then could use her dark wax on top of the clear wax, and get in the grooves of the molding then wipe off to give it an antiqued look. You could go white or cream or any colors you may like. Her paint comes in many colors. Just google her paint and then find out who sells it close to your home.

Rlsulli · Answer

Agree with Marion Nesbitt. Please don't paint. Put updated hinges on. Update your backsplash and your countertop. Clean off your countertops and put a few colorful pieces and they will pop.

Pam Bolton · Answer

I can think of lots of ways to spend your time and money.  Let me list from quick, easy and inexpensive to more labor intensive and expensive. 
1.  Give your cabinets a good cleaning with mild soap and water.  Take everything offthe countertops, clean and bring back only things that you use daily.  Consider new knobs and drawer pulls.
2.  Consider taking the doors off the cabinets next to the stove.  Paint or wallpaper the back of cabinets and store your pretties there.
3.  Remove the wallpaper backsplash and either paint, add new wallpaper or tile.  There are some tile backsplashes that come in sheets and need no grout.  Google 'no grout backsplash tile'.
4. All of the above plus paint.  I like chalk type paints but with your dark cabinets I would recommend priming the cabinets to prevent the possibility of bleed through.   Depending on your decor, I would go with an off-white to make the space look larger.
5.  All the above plus replace countertops with new formica or with a hardwood countertop.  Ikea countertops are very reasonable.   Consider painting above the cabinets and ceiling.  Also consider a new light fixture.
Hope that this is helpful.   Please let us know what you decide to do.  Good diying!

Bridget Casey · Answer

How about chalk paint??? Look up Anna Sloan Chalk Paint(created) & not to exspensive once you have the paint, and brushes~Bridget

Terra Gazelle · Answer

Paint, put on some thin molding and some cabinet bling..the handles and knobs.
Adding molding can really add some pizzaz and make old into a higher end, fresher look.

Vanessa Rose · Answer

Molding and paint. I love Crisp white cabinets. but you could use gray off white black or any color or combination.

Carol · Answer

There is a stainless steel metal/plastic wall paper type product to change the color of appliances. I think that would work on the cabinets.  Or buy wood strips to match the wood cabinet doors and restyle the doors by framing them to look like shaker doors or miter then.  If you don't like the color paint them one or two colors (top cabinets one color and bottom cabinets a different color.  Maybe you can get a carpenter to cut the doors to hold a window glass or frosted glass.  You are so lucky they are so plain, so many treatment possibilities.

Linda Woody · Answer

these look just like my kitchen cabinets when we purchase our house. I put moulding around the doors and painted them white

Z · Answer

@Robin, I personally think all you need is some pretty hardware. The style depends on the look you are going for. It would be a shame to paint them. They have such pretty grain.

Margie · Answer

I have the same kitchen cabinets.  I painted mine chocolate brown, added pewter handles, and sprayed the hinges brown.  It really made a beautiful difference.

Dated kitchen cabinets

Suggested Project Book

10 Patriotic Projects Perfect For Your Fourth Of July Party

Other

More

Dated kitchen cabinets

Suggested Project Book