Guest Blogger: 3 Simple Ways to Revamp Old Kitchen Cabinets

Guest Blogger #617, Entry #1466, August 15, 2012

Paint Conquers All

Kitchen cabinets are the most striking feature in any kitchen. They are also the most difficult and expensive to replace. There are ways to revive your tired, dingy cabinets and make them look like new kitchen cabinets from RONA. Bring new life to your kitchen without straining your finances with these affordable, do-it-yourself solutions.

Select from an array of colors for your kitchen cabinets

 Image via

The easiest and most affordable way to update kitchen cabinets is to paint them in a new, vibrant color. Classic white works with any décor and adds light and dimension to a room. Modern spaces invite experimentation with bright tropical colors or industrial grays.

Try painting lower cabinets a darker color than upper cabinets. The lower cabinets will recede into the background, giving the illusion of more floor space, while the bright upper cabinets will draw the eye up and away from a narrow kitchen.

Manufacturers have developed faux finishes to enhance every style, from formal to country casual. Home improvement stores occasionally offer classes for these products, and video tutorials are available online as well.

Use quality, high-gloss paint and primer for a durable, professional finish that is easy to maintain. Remember to clean cabinetry with a grease-cutting cleanser before painting.

Change out the doors

Change out cabinet doors for a new look.

Image via

The basic shapes of many kitchen cabinets are clean and angular, but the cabinet doors may have fussy, ornate panels that are at odds with your modern decor. Completely removing the cabinet doors gives a casual, contemporary feel and allows you to show off your beautiful dishes and glassware.

If open cabinets are not your style, consider replacing old doors with new glass paneled doors. Glass can be clear, etched or leaded and is available in any number of colors and patterns. You may be able to remove the panels of your existing doors and replace them with beadboard, pressed tin or sheet metal.

Upgrade the Hardware 

Choose hardware that is unique!

Image via

The shape and finish of the hardware on your cabinets may be telling their age. Replacing old, dated hardware with newer contemporary handles and hinges could be all that is needed to refresh your kitchen. Fun, whimsical and colorful choices abound and add a personal element to your home.

If you love your knobs, handles and hinges but the finish is worn, consider repainting them. Paints are available to mimic all kinds of metal finishes, including cast iron, brushed nickel and hammered steel. Another option is to install concealed hinges and remove handles and knobs altogether for a clean, updated look.

Embellishments Galore

Adding architectural interest to your cabinets can take a low-budget kitchen to a custom masterpiece. Use purchased, pre-cut moldings around the top of untrimmed cabinets to help define the style of your kitchen. Small additions like decorative wooden appliqués, stencils and decals add dimension and personality to plain doors.

Easy ideas for revamping your kitchen cabinets

Image via

Replace Everything But the Cabinets

The age and deterioration of other kitchen fixtures could be ruining the look of otherwise beautiful cabinets. Replacing worn counters, chipped sinks, and rusty faucets will refocus attention on attractive, classic cabinetry. Dull wood finishes can be restored with cleansers, furniture oils and other treatments available at your home improvement store.
With a little attention and imagination, your old kitchen cabinets can become the most stunning feature in your kitchen and your home.

For more kitchen & bath ideas on Stagetecture, click here.