Kitchen cabinets from the 70’s

Alice
by Alice

Any suggestions on the updating these 1970’s kitchen cabinet doors without replacing them. I’m not sure what the material is, maybe fiberglass . The wood framed cabinets themselves are in great condition .


  11 answers
  • FrugalFamilyTimes.com FrugalFamilyTimes.com on Sep 13, 2018

    Paint them! Be sure to sand really well, use the best primer you can afford - we like Bull’s Eye. Then buy a very good quality paint -

    enamel holds I really well in a kitchen. :)

  • Terra Terra on Sep 13, 2018

    I agree with Frugal... and maybe also update the pulls/hardware


  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Sep 13, 2018

    If you changed out the pulls and painted the brown to match the white, that would definitely update them.


    Convert to open shelving.


    Contact paper or wall paper over the doors.


    There are a lot of ideas here on hometalk. Put in update kitchen cabinet in the "find your next project" for a ton of idea.s

  • Corrie Corrie on Sep 13, 2018

    Try Kitchen Tune upin Lake Havasu did a great job on mine Awesome and profesional. Very affordable price

  • Ros Male Ros Male on Sep 14, 2018

    Vinyl wrapping must be available in the USA

  • Simply changing the hardware would make a huge difference. Painting them one color is another option. Use a good primer first. I like Zinnser BIN on shiny surfaces.

  • Sue Sue on Sep 14, 2018

    I'm in the process of updating cabinet doors - all 49 of them - with paint and new hardware. HUGE difference.

  • Joy30150932 Joy30150932 on Sep 14, 2018

    Frugal has given you good advice. I would also paint the inside to lighten them. Do change out the hardware as it will make a world of difference. Remove the doors to get a better job and easier access to the inside.

  • Nancy Flemming Nancy Flemming on Sep 14, 2018

    They look like melamine, if so I would just paint the trim and interior to match the cupboards, take one into the paint department and they will match the colour. There are many different whites. Change out your handles and you will have a nice updated look. It is not necessay to paint the whole door they look in good shape and if melamine will be easier to keep clean. Good luck let us know what you do.

  • Sew crazy Sew crazy on Sep 14, 2018

    I have the same doors! You can’t paint them like everyone is saying, the paint will not adhere even with sanding. I have seen iron on wood veneer on web sites, that is what I have been looking at as a solution to our problem. You might try this out on a couple of doors and see if it works, that’s what I’m going to do

  • Ed Ed on Oct 22, 2018

    Add some trim, paint it white, then add some knobs and pulls. I did a similar update to my kitchen recently. It’s easy and inexpensive ($300). Check out my before and after pics. Good luck!

    • Ed Ed on Oct 22, 2018

      This is the wood I used for the trim from Home Depot.