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Replacing outdated kitchen cabinetry can be expensive. In fact, HomeAdvisor estimates that the average cabinet installation costs $5,000. However, the exact amounts depend on various factors. These factors include materials, labor time, and square footage. You’re probably wondering how to update kitchen cabinets without replacing them.
Luckily, there are plenty of ways to add a bit of spice to the cabinets that you’re tired of looking at – without ripping them out.
You’ll find dozens of popular cabinetry trends and, although they look tempting now, you need to consider whether they’ll still hold the same appeal in a few years. Before you jump into a complete overhaul, it can be a good idea to make small DIY updates as your tastes change.
Here are a few great ways to transform your builder grade cabinets into something that lifts you up and shows off your personality.
How to Update Kitchen Cabinets Without Replacing Them: 13 Great Ways to Restyle on a Budget
Get Creative with Wallpaper
Image source: Enclosures Architects
As you probably know, wallpaper is a great way to update any room of the house – but did you know that it’s also a fantastic way to update old cabinets?
The ever-convenient peel-and-stick variety of wallpaper is especially useful when it comes to giving new life to a set of builder cabinets. Neutral colored wallpapers are ideal as a base for splashes of brightly colored accessories. Colorful wallpapers, on the other hand, look stylish with darker kitchen backsplashes.
When you’re figuring out how to update kitchen cabinets without replacing them, adding a new layer of wallpaper is one of the easiest ways to do it. If you’re renting, this option becomes particularly enticing, as it doesn’t damage the rental property and can be removed with ease.
Add A Hint of Spice to Your Doors
Image source: Powell Construction
The backside of doors is often overlooked during the renovation or redecoration process. However, these unassuming and generously sizes spaces hold a lot of potential.
They can be used for a variety of useful purposes, one of which is as the home for the spice rack. It’s easy to set up wire shelving on the back of the door, so why not use the space for something that not only frees up cupboard space but looks modern, too?
Remove the Doors from Upper Cabinets
Image source: Studio Sarah Willmer Architecture
Achieving affordably updated cabinets can be as simple as removing a few doors. Removing the doors of your upper cabinets instantly gives the space an open-air feel.
You can remove the doors of the cabinets above the fridge or dishwasher, or the ones that hang awkwardly over your tall broom closet. Then, all you have to do is fill the shelves with everyday items that you reach for regularly.
If you want to get fancy, though, you could also consider adding a piece of stick-on wallpaper to the back wall of your newly opened cabinet. This is a quick and easy way to get a head start when you’re making a project out of updating your builders grade kitchen.
Swap Out the Countertops
Image source: Peter Q Brown Innovative Design
Contractor grade kitchen cabinets often come complete with dull, lifeless countertops – but the two don’t have to be a lifelong pair.
If your countertops look like they’re straight out of a 90’s movie – matching backsplash included – this job can be a little tedious. Laminate, which is a popular countertop and backsplash material, can be almost as pricey as granite or real stone after labour is factored in.
Be sure to go countertop shopping with an open mind and don’t be afraid to take a minimalist approach. Your countertop doesn’t have to be the focal point of your kitchen!
Unless you’re going for an early 90’s look, remember to skip the backsplash and keep the edges of your countertops simple. Taking the business out of the backsplash and countertop edges works in your favor by reducing labor and material costs.
Give Your Base Cabinet “Feet”
Image source: Elite Remodeling
“How to update kitchen cabinets without replacing them” is a commonly asked question on many search engines. But by adding something as simple as feet to your base cabinet, you can answer it all by yourself.
The addition of cabinet feet, which are just DIYed chair legs, can give your cabinetry an instant upgrade. While the feet look great once they’re added and painted to match the cabinets, they’re also handy because they can be made from recycled materials.
Install Highly Fashionable Glass Doors
Image source: Jones Design Build
If you’re not a fan of the open-air idea mentioned above, there’s another kitchen cabinet update that you can do instead. You can add glass doors to your cabinetry unit.
Glass doors blend seamlessly into any décor while protecting dishes and collectibles from layers of dust and pet dander. They come in several stylish options including sliding and handled, with each option giving off a certain look.
When paired with the right décor, your glass doors can look modern, rustic, or even vintage – the options are endless with this feature.
Add Tasteful Hardware
Image source: Kitchen Planners
Many standard builder cabinets don’t come with hardware. If they do, this hardware is often time drab, dull, and generally unappealing.
Adding hardware to a kitchen that doesn’t have any is an easy way to take the life of the room up a notch. Changes as small as adding new knobs on your cabinet drawers or changing a doorknob are often enough to change the entire aesthetic of a space. Use a cabinet hardware jig to install the knobs/handles easy and precise. Here’s a list of the best cabinet hardware jig.
When it comes to choosing the right hardware, there is no shortage of options. You can choose from rustic, modern, funky and fashionable, classic, or vintage among many other kinds of hardware. Going even further into your options, you can choose from pulls, knobs, handles, or a combination of any of the three. You can also choose from specific styles like pewter, polished brass, or black glass.
Paint Your Cabinetry
Image source: Marrokal Design & Remodeling
Painting builder grade kitchen cabinets is one of the first things that probably comes to mind when you want to make any cabinet upgrades. This is for good reason, though, as painting cabinets are affordable and effective.
If you’re worried about destroying the original cabinetry, don’t be. Most cabinets are made of MDF and covered in wood or finished with a durable laminate veneer.
To make sure you choose the right color, consider making larger swatches of your favorite colors using a white foam board. This way, you can compare and contrast your colors on a larger scale.
Give Your Builder Cabinets Height
Image source: Studio Geiger Architecture
There is a surprising number of cabinets that don’t reach the ceiling. While we don’t know why exactly this is, it has been said that the taller your cabinets are, the bigger and more spacious a room looks.
If your cabinets don’t reach the ceiling and you’re looking to add a bit of height, you can simply close off the extra space above the cabinets. This can be done by placing a piece of wood that matches your cabinets and then going in and adding trim.
Alternatively, you could also add height by installing a row of thin cabinets above the original ones and painting them to match.
Make Use of Under-Cabinet Shelves
Image source: Kayron Brewer, CMKBD / Studio K B
The little bit of extra space below your upper shelves can be repurposed and put to use. You can use this space to store compact kitchen items like dessert plates, baking sheets, and cooling racks.
To get the most out of this redo, though, be sure not to crowd the space. Doing so will make it look messy.
Enhance the Texture of A Shaker
Image source: lisa furey interiors
Traditional shaker cabinets are gorgeous but they’re also outdated for anyone who wants a modern look in their kitchen. If this sounds like you, try adding a bit of extra texture to your shaker cabinets.
One simple way to do this is by installing wicker sections. You can add these sections by soaking the wicker in water and nailing it to the cabinets while it is still wet. Pull the material tight and allow it dry.
Once it’s done drying, it will be taught and your cabinet will have a focal point that’s easy for the eye to rest on.
Get to Finishing
Image source: MasterBrand Cabinets, Inc.
Many cupboards are done but not finished. By this, we mean that they are perfectly functional but haven’t been given the extra attention that’s needed to truly call them “finished”.
Regardless of your cabinet’s size or shape, adding a finish around the edge can make the whole cabinetry unit appear unified and put together. Crown molding a popular finish that looks great on almost any cabinet, making them look larger and filling in excess space.
Utilize Under-cabinet Lighting
Image source: Super Bright LEDs
Under-cabinet lighting not only adds value to your cabinets but also your property. This type of lighting makes a room look more inviting.
When you’re installing under-cabinet lighting, you can opt for LEDs or incandescent lights – both of which have their own appeal and effect.
Giving your cabinets an upgrade doesn’t have to be difficult. With a bit of time and patience, it’s quite easy. Once you’re done, you’ll be wondering why you asked the question “how to update kitchen cabinets without replacing them”
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