What can I do to update my cabinets on a tight budget?

Lau6219341
by Lau6219341
  14 answers
  • Deborah Deborah on Jun 12, 2017

    paint and new hardware. It's cheap and easy. Quick too! If your budget is really tight, you can sometimes find these items at a thrift store.

  • Lauri Adkins Lauri Adkins on Jun 12, 2017

    Total degreasing, sand prime and pale grey semi-gloss top cabineys, neutral teal on base

  • Paula Densmore Paula Densmore on Jun 12, 2017

    If you're willing to paint them, I would do an antique white color and keep your hardware the same; or be brave and do a color. I have painted cabinets before (deep burnt orange and then antique white); just use a good quality primer beforehand and a semi-gloss paint. It's been a while, but I believe there's paint made for cabinets.

  • Marm Marm on Jun 12, 2017

    If you would like to paint your cabinets you could do a two tone look with a taupe on bottom and cream on top cabinets, photo below to show suggested colours which I think would go well with your counters. Extend the cream paint to the bulkhead also. You could also update window coverings with a fabric roman shade over sink and something that coordinates on other window.


  • Rachel Palmer Rachel Palmer on Jun 12, 2017

    After proper cleaning and degreasing, paint the cabinets a creamy color similar to background field color on your counters. Refresh your knobs and door pulls - it may be that simply cleaning them might do the trick. Otherwise, use a metalilic spray paint to make them look new again. Then paint your backsplash in the deepest color found in your counter to create contrast between the counter and cabinets. It looks like you may have some brownish gray specks in your counter, so coordinate your backsplash to it. Then remove the curtains and valance at the windows, keeping it open and bright. Finally, when you can, paint the kitchen in a nice cool blue-gray, but keep it light, declutter the counter, and add a few herbs in little pots. It will feel like a brand new kitchen. Good luck!

  • Loretta McCullock Loretta McCullock on Jun 12, 2017

    yes, I'd change the hardware on the upper cabinets, but I wouldn't paint the actual cabinets, they're a nice warm honey tone, and they risk looking like a botched job... instead I'd give the plain white walls a splash of colour. Maybe indigo blue like the blue in the coffee maker and bowl. More effective & way less trouble.

  • Becky Partain Becky Partain on Jun 12, 2017

    I would paint the cabinets an antique white. Change the hardware. Have fun

    and post pics when it's completed.

  • Imp22013828 Imp22013828 on Jun 13, 2017

    If you are to paint the cabinets. ? Ammonia is good for wood finishes and a good degreaser. The lemon ammonia . make sure to read instructions and measure. This is before painting. You may also need a brush for the hinges area. And gloves. And a bucket. And a ladder. Then you want have to sand them if you decide to paint them.

  • Brandie Miller Brandie Miller on Jun 13, 2017

    Change the hardware

  • Knelso18 Knelso18 on Jun 13, 2017

    Rustoleum has a cabinet kit. No sanding needed and many colors to choose from. I did my kitchen and it turned out perfect. Easiest product ever, and finished over serval weekends (I did so many cabinets every weekend to break up the job).

    And change out the hardware.

  • Knelso18 Knelso18 on Jun 13, 2017

    Some more before and after pics. We used the color Chocolate with the Rustoleum product. I believe it was $79 per kit. We bought 3 thinking we needed that many, but ended up returning 2 as we only needed one box for our whole kitchen. So, $80 and new handles $200=$280 for a great looking updated kitchen.

  • Jackie Phillips Roberts Jackie Phillips Roberts on Mar 09, 2018

    How is this holding up?

  • Tae Tae on Mar 09, 2018

    Simple approach is paintomg always an option. Also use wood filler on the grooves then sand and paint is an option.

  • Tae Tae on Mar 09, 2018

    Let me update that.. Simple approach is painting or wood filler in the grooves the sand and pain Also stain instead of paint can make a world of difference..