Asked on Feb 05, 2014
What can I do instead of replacing cabinets
+48
I rent the appartment I live in and do not want to spend a lot of money to spruce up the kitchen. I want to know how a curtain would look as a replacement for the two bottom cabinet doors in the kitchen. The hinges are old and worn out and the doors don't close evenly anymore. I've seen cute curtains for this in other magazines, but since I have been reading hometalk ideas, I am hoping I can get some ideas more to my liking.
Old and worn out hinges prevents these doors from closing. Gathered curtains might look perfect.
42 answers
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Karen,I too am renting and hope that someone posts some great fix for both of us :)
Cynthia H
on Feb 06, 2014
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Why not? Use a spring tension curtain rod in the opening. Depending on your decor, you could do any type of printed fabric you like, whether it be chickens or checks! If you have a window, you could coordinate with a valance or curtain too. If you buy ready made curtains and you don't sew; you can always hem them up using iron on tape.
Dana
on Feb 06, 2014
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The landlord should fix the doors and any other things that need fixed. I would contact him to fix them because he can put new hinges on them so they work properly and maybe even new magnetic closures to keep them shut. Then you do not have spend any money trying to cover up what a landlord is responsible for and save your money for decorating your space. Good luck
The Garden Frog with C Renee
on Feb 06, 2014
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Thank you Cynthia,
Karen Trizano
on Feb 06, 2014
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Thank you Dana, I think that's a good idea. There is so much fabric to chose from, I know I will find something that will go with my kitchen, As a last resort I will look at curtains, another creative idea. I am anxious to take on this mini project now.
Karen Trizano
on Feb 06, 2014
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Thank you Renee, I will try that before I start the project.
Karen Trizano
on Feb 06, 2014
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Thanks for the answers, but I'm still hoping for more ideas.
Karen Trizano
on Feb 06, 2014
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I am an apartment owner an you need to talk to the landlord about this, we really want to know when things go wrong an fix it before it becomes more costly,
Shirley Hendrix Weber
on Feb 06, 2014
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I also agree about asking the landlord first despite what you do. Then after that step, if you like the look of a curtain on a spring rod, then go for it. You can get a coordination print, color burlap, or natural with trim to it, etc. Or hit a thrift store for a gem piece of fabric, etc. Good luck.
Anna Ibarra
on Feb 06, 2014
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You can get cheap hinges and fix the doors...curtains sound cute though if you prefer.
Moxie
on Feb 06, 2014
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I have done the curtain thing, and really, I'm not so impressed with the function, though I do love the decorating options. I would suggest you try one first, just to see how it will work for you. Other thoughts... I'm thinking of putting the bottom doors back on my cabinets and cover them with fabric, holding in place with sticky velcro on the back of the doors.. http://www.exquisitelyunremarkable.com/2013/05/decorating-cheats.html
Nancy Spencer Carlson
on Feb 06, 2014
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I just bought a foreclosure and don't like curtain rods, but need to fix up the kitchen cabinets and am going to sand them down and repaint them for the time being, have done this before with landlords permission. He checked out the paint color and ok'd the project and let me deduct it from the rent.
Carol Shade
on Feb 06, 2014
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Are you looking for Other options to curtains? You mentioned your in an apartment do you know what your limitations are? Some places let you do whatever as long as it's returned to the state in which it was rented others won't allow anything to be done, and not all landlords are able to make repairs as quickly as we'd like & others just don't care. 1) pull the doors & see why they are failing... They may just need a little wood glue (in the predrilled holes) or the adjustable hinges are out of alignment. 2) you can reuse the doors & spray them white to match what is already there, Just changing out your pull knobs or changing the hardware all together can change the look. 3) there are decals that are cling forms, they stick to painted & glas services and leave nothing behind when taken down. (mine held very well, paid .99 a sheet) That add details like flowers or chickens, and are non-permanent. 4) Stolen from another post, wrap the doors with a water resistant paper or cloth that can be removed if you move. With this the options are endless (Think grade school book covers).5) you can create bifold doors out of cardboard or styrofoam poster board covered with cloth, contact paper or paper. lite easy to make & inexpensive. 6) Pulling from the curtain notion; beaded drop curtain, pull down shade, horizontal strip blind style, roamin shade.... 7) picture frames with hinges, would look like window. And can be made to look like stained glass. not that you asked but my favorite alternative to bulk fabric is Bed sheets, flexibility in style, quality and size of the cloth, and these day's can be cheaper than buying by the yard. I hope some of these prompt other ideas for you.
Annette C
on Feb 06, 2014
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Thank you Annete, Your ideas are very clever and can be done in my kitchen. I'm sure it would be a big improvement.
Karen Trizano
on Feb 06, 2014
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Thank you Carol, I have already drafted a note to the landlord. If he pays for the mini fix er up the happier I will be. Good luck in your new home.
Karen Trizano
on Feb 06, 2014
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If you take the doors down, keep them someplace so they can be put back up when you move. Curtains instead of doors are more cute than functional. I'd try to get the landlord to fix the doors and then if I wanted to change the look a bit I'd use removable wall decals.
KathrynElizabeth Etier
on Feb 06, 2014
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Replace the knobs and pulls, but hang on to the old ones so you can reverse the process should you move.
Lori J
on Feb 06, 2014
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Thank you Lori
Karen Trizano
on Feb 07, 2014
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Thank you for your suggestion Kathryn. I am going to remind my landlord again.
Karen Trizano
on Feb 07, 2014
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Sometimes you can counter a stubborn hinge with a stronger system of catching the door. If a stronger magnet doesn't work, there are catches that snap a metal loop of sorts between two rollers.
Lori J
on Feb 07, 2014
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Karen, If you are allowed to paint the cabinets you will find a very dark color would work. The reason a dark color works is the gaps between the doors visually disappear and become part of the dark cabinet color. It certainly would take more time and money than the curtains, but if you are staying in the apartment a long time this idea would work and be more functional than the curtains would be. Yours in art, Pamela
Sweet Pea Studio
on Feb 07, 2014
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Remove the doors and store them, so they can be replaced when you move. Paint the inside of the cabinet and add large wicker baskets. I love storing things in large baskets. to cover the pipes, make a fabric surround, or fit a large basket around them. You could add greenery or something to the top to finish covering the pipes if needed.
Frankieh
on Feb 07, 2014
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Thank you Pamela, your comments are appreciated.
Karen Trizano
on Feb 07, 2014
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Thank you Fankieh, I will consider the baskets under the sink.
Karen Trizano
on Feb 07, 2014
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Thank you Lori, I will visit Home Depot to see if they have what you described.
Karen Trizano
on Feb 07, 2014
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I would try to re-hang the doors. Maybe buying a different hinge will get the door to lift up and close. Just an idea.
Rebecca Guidry
on Feb 07, 2014
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I've lived in rentals for quite some time now - usually the hinge problem is the worn screw holes & magnet closures. 1. No More Nails comes in a tube and can be squeezed into holes let it set up per instructions and insert the screws...be sure to leave them alone during the drying time or better yet overnight. Clean off magnetic pieces with SOS, steel wool or spray oven cleaner onto a cloth and use that to clean off the buildup of household residues. Then you may even get approval to paint the doors and change the pulls...Good Luck :)
Judi Doherty
on Feb 07, 2014
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I would add several things: For enlarged screw holes, try wood toothpicks and glue. For magnetic closure not working, try loosening screws and moving closer til it catches. And I don't use curtains on lower cabinets because of my cats (and their fur) getting inside. Same goes for small kids and chemicals. To dress up cabinet doors, try molding or wood pieces from hobby stores.
Jeanne888
on Feb 07, 2014
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Cupboard hinges are fairly inexpensive & not at all difficult to install.....
Judy
on Feb 07, 2014
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What about using some decorative decals that can be removed when you move.
Robin Miller Cresci
on Feb 07, 2014
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a quick fix is use a rubber band across the two knobs, until you decide, this will keep the doors shut.
Carolyn Hoxton
on Feb 07, 2014
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Most landlords don't appreciate someone painting cabinets, let alone walls, but I don't think they would mind if you would remove the doors, putting them aside to reattach later. If you have the urge to paint, remember to ask first. Pick a curtain of a certain color to match any small appliances or decorative storage jars you may have. Plaid is always nice, but you can use anything. You can use either a shower curtain rod if you can find the right length or use a spring curtain hanger by attaching the spring to screws on both sides of the opening. Just head to the fabric store and find a piece that will be just a bit bigger than the space and hem the edges and make a place for the rod or spring to run thru. For a few bucks, depending on how many knobs you have, you can replace them with ones to match the curtain you decide upon. (Just keep the old one is a can to put them back on later and take the new ones with you when you leave.) You can also find vinyl stickers to place on the backsplash or peel off vinyl wall paper that can be easily removed later. Try some decorative picture frames with the theme you go with to use on the walls. On one wall in my kitchen I have put up a vinyl wallpaper that looks like menus and a running border paper that has kind of a french cafe theme until I decide what I am going to do with my kitchen. Both are vinyl and wipe clean easily. I also have one of those padded mats that has a print on it and towels that match. Above the border on the wall are picture frames that look like the shops in the pictures, but you can go with any type of theme. My daughter is a professional baker and she has baker men jars and towels and things, but there are a lot of cute things out there you can find in stores.
Jill
on Feb 07, 2014
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@Karen - I do feel empathetic to your kitchen dilemma, sharing same problem myself as a tenant. My cabinets are actually much older inside as they were refaced prior to my leasing. I would love to rehab my entire uglier then ugly kitchen, if the landlord would return some of the thousands of dollars I've paid in rent over 18 yrs! He's not done much to improve my humble abode, and now he's trying to sell this house (he lives downstairs). Hoping new owner will take pity and do some badly needed work.
Mary Davin
on Feb 09, 2014
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first I would replace the knobs on the doors, highlight the outlined edging with another color or maybe beading, be sure to repaint first maybe a dark brown on the bottom with lighter colored upper cabinets. To keep doors closed, either replace the closing implements (magnets, pressure clips, etc) and if you can't or choose not to change the hinges, you can tighten the holes the screws holding the hinges by mixing sawdust with wood glue to thicken the glue, push it into the whole and allow to dry before reinserting screws and hinges. if no sawdust available, pencil shavings will work in a fix!
Olga C
on Feb 09, 2014
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I've seen similar doors done with a fine molding in a square on surface, giving some texture and interest...those moldings are pretty cheap, your challenge would be to miter them, just buy a miter box and back saw (also cheap) then paint the whole thing a neutral colour that the landlord agrees with. Conversely, our old cottage that we tore down two years ago had the most adorable curtains instead of doors....little red apples on a white background. I miss those, but the danger is you HAVE to make sure to close them all the time or your kitchen will look lots worse that it does now! also, just follow all the previous comments about new hinges and knobs if you go that route! good luck and let us see what you do1
Bananas!
on Feb 10, 2014
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FABRIC! You can change the whole kitchen dramatically in just a day, and it is easily REMOVEABLE! 1. prewash fabric to avoid shrinkage, then cut to size 2. while fabric is wet or very damp, saturate with liquid laundry starch, especially on the back (you can brush it on or dip and wring) 3. apply to door and smooth with a sponge 4. let dry to remove it, just loosen a corner and pull it off, then wipe down the door with water.
Wendyl
on Mar 24, 2015
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Go to ebay and buy hinges. They are cheaper than fabric material. Go to general finishes website for more ideas. I redid my cabinets in java gel. I replaced only the broken hinges. My kitchen looks brand new!
Beth Gee
on May 28, 2015
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Well, I do like the fabric idea but maybe some baskets to fit each slot. Use colors or neutral depending on your preference of colors. Baskets really aren't cheap, so maybe start with a few? Taking the cabinet doors off of course and storing them somewhere until you move. Put them back on when you move. The plus to this would be your stuff is already packed in baskets when you are ready to move!
Barbara Valenti
on Aug 08, 2015
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Curtain cupboard fronts look cheap. You can buy magnet cupboard latches, like a buck each, at any hardware store.
Judy
on Aug 09, 2015
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TRY VELCROS!
Marlene Wilson
on Sep 15, 2015
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Your landlord would probably reimburse you for new hinges if you offer to put them on. You could get new hardware or just ask if you could spray paint them a dark bronze or similar. If you buy your own, get something really cheap and paint them if necessary, but keep the old to reinstall when you move. I would also do this, which is a bit riskier, but i think it would look great: use a paint pen in the grooves of the door fronts. You could try a white paint first (to check colour match), then use black or any colour that you like. It would add definition. Whatever you decide, post an after picture for us!
Kathleen
on Feb 29, 2016
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Well I would sooner ask landlord to replace hinges then spend your own money on a space that doesn't belong to you. Otherwise I would install a small piece of wood that you CA turn to hold doors closed. Shaker style I have a linen counter I bought like that and that's decrative but I would not remove doors without permission and as last option unless you enjoy country style kitchens and plan on staying there for a few years.
Eroque022810
on Sep 09, 2016
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