How can I makeover cabinets without painting them?
by
Yolonda
+13
We have painted our cabinets probably 4 -5 times in 21 years. I plan to move the handles to the bottom of the cabinet to update them a little. We would like an alternative to paint and need cheap tips and/or suggestions. Thanks so much!
There is Contact paper available in wide sheets and various designs.
you really only have a few choices... paint them, replace them... or just replace the door and drawer fronts (or retro fit the lowers with drawers) or put an overlay on the door.. perhaps add wood to give them a Shaker look... changing the hardware itself as well as the placement will help too.
When you move the handles you will have to patch the holes, so you could: (a) re-paint, (b)cover with contact paper, or (c) since the handles are so close to the edge of the doors, you could add trim molding, which would greatly enhance their looks, but you would have to paint the trim to match the cabinets. If the cabinets have not been painted in years, the paint won't match and you'll have to repaint anyway. This center cabinet seems to be longer than the ones on either side -- could you remove its doors and use open shelving there?
You could try some contact paper (peel and stick wallpaper). I used some on the edges of drawers for this dresser and I love it. https://www.makingmanzanita.com/peel-and-stick-wallpaper-to-the-sides-of-drawers/
Refacing you cabinet doors would be ideal, but painting is the biggest bang for your buck! Good luck and send pictures!
Why not replace the door fronts?
Yolanda, Wal-mart has begun to carry a nice assortment of patterned contact paper. I imagine Lowe's, Target and Home Depot would probably, also.