Give your kitchen a refresh without the cost of a full remodel by updating cabinet paint or hardware. You can also add new lighting to brighten a dark room and make seeing inside cabinets easier.
If you’re ready for a more significant change, consider replacing cabinet doors with a unique option like reeded or leaded glass or applying a mullion insert. This simple DIY upgrade will instantly make your kitchen feel more finished and polished.
Paint
A fresh coat of paint is the biggest bang-for-your-buck cabinet upgrade. You’ll likely have to do some prep work — sanding, priming, and using a specialty kitchen-grade paint designed for cabinetry — but it’s an easy DIY that makes a big impact.
Try painting your California kitchen cabinet a darker hue for a modern farmhouse look, or go lighter for a classic, clean feel. If you choose a dark color, use an interior-use primer suitable for the shade to keep discoloration and visible knots at bay.
For a rustic or farmhouse feel, consider adding beadboard to your cabinets.
Hardware
A fresh coat of paint and new cabinet hardware is a budget-friendly way to give your kitchen a major facelift. But even more subtle changes can make a big difference. Try adding under-cabinet lighting to create task lighting for countertops and ambient illumination after dark.
The right hardware can transform the look of your cabinets, and it’s important to choose carefully for aesthetics and function. Consider the natural lines of your cabinets and drawers and how you typically open and close them to determine which location is best for your hardware.
Using a cabinet jig (shop our easy-to-use option here) ensures that your knobs and pulls are positioned evenly across all of your cabinets, but you can also use a plastic template to mark screw holes. Remember that store-bought templates are limited to specific hardware sizes, and the marks can enlarge over time, leading to inaccurate hole placement.
Glass Inserts
If you’re tired of your grease-caked, kid-scratched cabinets but aren’t ready to commit to a major renovation, consider replacing the center panel with a glass insert. Available in various styles and colors, these easy-to-install kitchen cabinet upgrades can add depth, texture and visual interest.
Choose clear glass for a lighter look, frosted options to camouflage mess or seeded versions that provide a modern feel. Many home improvement and glass stores will cut your chosen style to size for a small fee or for free.
To install:
- Run a bead of silicone adhesive ($6, The Home Depot) along the inside of the frame to hold your glass pane in place.
- Wipe away excess silicone as needed.
- If desired, install slow-close hinges to prevent your cabinet doors from slamming shut and creating additional wear over time.
Fill in Empty Space
Adding a shallow utility cabinet to the end of your kitchen cabinets can be a great place to store everyday items like mail, keys and chargers. Choosing a door style that complements the rest of your kitchen cabinets will help create a cohesive look.
Consider a mullion insert or even reeded glass to add a decorative touch to the area. These inserts can also be a great way to let natural light filter into a room without opening the blinds.
Adding feet to your cabinets is another easy and affordable way to fill space. You can find different foot styles to match your design preferences, from bun feet for a classic look to turned legs for modern designs. This is an easy DIY project that can make a big impact.
Add Feet
The feet you choose for your cabinets can add to your kitchen design style. Whether you want to keep it modern with tapered feet or give it an old-world feel with bun feet, this upgrade is simple and inexpensive.
Many cabinets come with integrated feet that blend in with the cabinet frame for a sleek look. If yours don’t have them, purchase furniture feet online or at home improvement stores and fasten them to the bottom of the cabinet with furniture brackets.
Consider upgrading your cabinets with new drawer organizers if a full kitchen remodel is outside the cards. These can help you store items like flat cookware, cutting boards and cookie sheets more easily. You can add vertical storage space for taller items by installing toe-kick drawers in your base cabinets.
Related Posts:
- Reasons to Choose Wholesale Kitchen Cabinets for Your Home Renovation
- Practically Peckish-How To Create A More Functional Kitchen Space
- 6 Tips and Ideas for A Flawless Kitchen Renovation
- The Essential Checklist for a Successful Kitchen Upgrade
- Planning To Renovate Your Kitchen? Here’s Some Important Advice
