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Home House & Components Rooms Kitchen Kitchen Cabinets


MAKE YOUR KITCHEN CABINETS LOOK BRAND NEW WITHOUT REPLACING THEM

Alex RennieUpdated: May 31, 2023
Johner Images/Getty Images


REPLACING OUTDATED KITCHEN CABINETS IS EXPENSIVE AND TIME-CONSUMING. THESE
PROJECTS GIVE YOUR CABINETS A LOWER-COST UPGRADE IN A LOT LESS TIME.

Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a
commission from your purchases.

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The cabinets are likely the first thing people notice when entering your
kitchen, so it’s important to keep them updated and looking good. Luckily, that
doesn’t have to mean total replacement. I’ve seen homeowners choose much cheaper
and less time-consuming ways to refresh their kitchen cabinets.

Here are eight of those DIY options for updating kitchen cabinets.

On This Page

 * Replace Hardware
 * Complete Refinish
 * Wallpaper the Interior
 * Convert Wood Doors to Glass
 * Add Lighting
 * Switch to Open Shelving
 * Add Crown Molding
 * Reface Cabinets


REPLACE HARDWARE

Replacing outdated handles and hinges can dramatically change the look and style
of your cabinets, with minimal work. Choose new handles and knobs that
coordinate with updated finishes or add a welcome pop of color.

Hinge replacement is a favorite cabinet update of Jeff Shipwash, owner of
Shipwash Contracting. He recommends replacing old hinges with soft close-style
hinges, a project that takes less than a day. It involves a lot of unscrewing
and re-screwing, but depending on your new hardware can cost less than $100 for
an average kitchen.

Replacing outdated handles and knobs can cost even less, unless you choose
high-end hardware. This is one of the best low-budget kitchen cabinet upgrades
you can make.

ⓘ








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COMPLETE REFINISH

Refinishing, re-staining or painting kitchen cabinets can give them a new look
without total replacement. For refinishing kitchen cabinets, Shipwash says, “The
key is to do it slow, and do it right. Refinishing cabinets is not a difficult
job, but it does require some tedious work in order to get a great finish.”

You’ll need a drill, wood filler or putty, a palm sander, paint sprayer and
plastic drop cloths, as well as your stain or paint.

Whether you’re staining or painting the cabinets, start by removing all the
cabinet doors, drawers and hardware. Then Shipwash recommends making any
necessary repairs to the cabinets, like covering scratches or chips with wood
filler. Use the palm sander to remove any buildup and achieve a smooth finish.

Thoroughly vacuum any dust and clean all the cabinet components. Shipwash
recommends using a high-quality paint sprayer and covering surrounding areas in
plastic. This project should take two to four days and cost $100 to $500,
depending on materials.




WALLPAPER THE INTERIOR

If you have glass cabinet doors, adding patterned wallpaper to the interior
gives a pop of color to your kitchen without much work or mess. We’d recommend
peel-and-stick wallpaper for this because it’s easy to install and removable, a
great option for rental properties. You’ll need scissors, a tape measure, X-Acto
knife and plastic wallpaper smoother.

First, take out the removable shelves and measure the interior spaces. Cut
wallpaper to size, leaving an extra inch or two for trimming. Pay attention to
the pattern and match the edges accordingly. Use a wallpaper spreader to ensure
a smooth finish and prevent air bubbles. Press gently so you don’t stretch the
paper.

Price per roll for peel-and-stick wallpaper varies from $10 to $100, depending
on the quality and manufacturer.


CONVERT WOOD DOORS TO GLASS

Changing your wood cabinet doors to glass can make a small kitchen feel less
cramped. Plus it lets you showcase your favorite dishes and glassware.

You can order the glass panels from a hardware store. You’ll also need a router,
drill, clamps, scrap plywood, glass clips and utility knife.

After removing the doors, create a guide with clamps and plywood and use the
router to cut out the center panel of the door. Then lay the glass in place and
secure it with glass clips.

If you own a router, the entire project should cost around $25 per door. A
router and bit will add another $100 to $200. Give yourself a full day to
complete this task.


ADD LIGHTING

Shipwash says adding lighting underneath your existing cabinetry gives it an
upscale appearance. And since it doesn’t require any electrical work, it’s easy
to DIY. We’ve used LED strips like these with great success. Simply plug them
into an existing outlet and attach the lights to the bottom of your cabinets
with adhesive or clip mounts.



Measure your cabinets so you purchase the right length. And be sure there’s an
outlet nearby to plug in your lights, unless you choose a battery-powered
option. In an average kitchen it should cost less than $100.

If you’re confident enough to hard-wire lights yourself, this handy guide can
explain how it’s done.


SWITCH TO OPEN SHELVING

With a few modifications, you can transform upper cabinets into open shelving,
allowing easy access and modern style to your kitchen. Start by switching a few
cabinets, and add more if you decide you like it. You’ll need a pull saw to
create flat, smooth cuts; sandpaper; wood putty; a drill; and your choice of
paint or wallpaper for the interiors.

First, remove the existing doors and hinges. Use the pull saw to remove the
center stile. Sand and putty any screw holes and rough edges. Then cover the
interior however you like — paint, wallpaper, be creative!.

This project can take a day or a weekend, depending on how many cabinets you’re
converting. The cost is low, especially if you have all of the necessary tools .


ADD CROWN MOLDING

If your kitchen cabinets stop abruptly above the doors, the addition of crown
molding can give them a new, more elegant look. You’ll need a finish nailer,
18-gauge brad nails, a miter saw, wood filler, trim caulk, wood glue and the
crown molding itself.

Measure around the tops of your cabinets to determine how many feet of molding
you need. Choose crown molding that blends in best in your kitchen.

Use a miter saw to cut the corners and the finish nailer to secure the molding
in place. Plug the nail holes with wood filler and corners with trim caulk,
allow them to dry, then paint or stain. Crown molding can cost $1 to $40 per
linear foot depending on the material, with prices varying greatly by region.




REFACE CABINETS

Refacing your kitchen cabinets is yet another way to dramatically update them.
This involves keeping the cabinet boxes, covering the exterior surfaces with a
self-sticking wood veneer and replacing the doors and draw fronts to match. This
is a big project, but if you’re up for the challenge, refacing results in
cabinets that look like new.

Besides the veneer, new doors and drawer fronts, you’ll need a laminate
splitter, paper cutter, veneer roller and a sanding sponge.

First, clean the cabinets with denatured alcohol and sand them just enough to
create a scuff for the veneer to attach. With a laminate splitter, cut the
veneer into strips. Then use the paper cutter to trim those strips to the proper
length.

Next, apply the veneer to the cabinet frames, pressing it into place with the
roller. Hang the new doors and install the drawer faces according to their
instructions. Depending on the number of cabinets you are refacing and the
quality of door and drawer fronts and veneer you choose, this project can cost
around $6,000 for an average size kitchen.



Originally Published: October 24, 2022




Alex Rennie
Alex Rennie is a freelance writer who specializes in the home improvement, DIY,
and appliance space. Having spent more than five years as a residential and
commercial carpenter in NYC–specializing in custom furniture construction and
installation–Alex uses his hands-on experience and expert insight to craft
product reviews, buying guides, and how-to articles. He has previously written
for CNN Underscored, Business Insider, and Popular Mechanics, in addition to
Family Handyman. He currently lives in Los Angeles, CA, where he spends his free
time hiking and relaxing on the beach with his wife and their two dogs, Louie
and Iggy.


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