Your kitchen is among the most important spaces in your house –if not "the" most important one. In fact, in the world of real estate, buyers give more weight to a home's kitchen when deciding to buy a property.

 

A functional and lovely kitchen is a blessing that keeps on giving, whether you're an aspiring chef or just someone who enjoys preparing nice meals for your family during the holidays. Interior design goes through various phases, much like any other kind of art or fashion. However, designing a kitchen means more than just merely following popular trends. There are many ways and options for you to give your kitchen a lovely, distinctive personal touch. As you may already know, any kitchen update starts with cabinets.

Now there are various elements to consider when talking about a kitchen makeover, such as:

• Upper cabinets
• Lower kitchen cabinetry
• Countertops
• Kitchen backsplash
• Kitchen Island
• Rangehood
• Paint colors for the walls
• Flooring
• Stove / Oven
• Different assorted appliances
• Kitchen decor

As you've noticed, kitchen storage is divided into upper and lower cabinets. And, no, there's no mistake there. That's how essential finishing and detailing is in your kitchen cabinetry. You can't implement identical design ideas for both sections (upper and lower) as each one has specific purposes, and they add a distinct aesthetic appeal to your kitchen's look.

Hence, we're now going to take the time to feature easy kitchen cabinet upgrade ideas. The reason? We aim to help you achieve a stunning new look for your kitchen that brings you joy, embodies functionality, and gives you inspiration to prepare mouthwatering meals for your loved ones.

Of course, the kitchen cabinet is where it all begins...

Talk to JarvisInteriors experts today to help you update and design your interior spaces!

Read related: 11 China Cabinet Makeovers That Are Thrifty and Chic

 

How to Freshen up Kitchen Cabinets Without Replacing Them

Kitchen cabinet designs can be updated in a variety of ways, some more costly and taking longer than others. So, let's begin with options that are easy on the pocket.

1- Stain or Repaint Them

Painting or staining kitchen cabinets is one of the best ways (and most affordable, if you're considering the cost of kitchen cabinet restoration) to give them a fresh look. It's easy to complete over the weekend. And for optimum results, use chalk paint and cover it with wax or lacquer the following day.

Bolder color choices work well in lively, busy spaces like kitchens. Rich spice colors will reflect flavorful food and cause mouths to water even before food prep has started.

2- Replace Cabinet Handles

Installing new, stylish kitchen cabinet handles is another effective way for refacing cabinets. If you don't want to have to drill new holes, make sure you are switching like-for-like in terms of the hole size and shape. You can order handles from hardware stores or online.

When selecting frequently used items, such as handles, it is necessary to choose quality as this will ensure a longer lifespan and elevate the look and feel of your kitchen, giving it a crisp finish.

Finishing touches are essential and these include hardware. The demand for patterned or knurled designs is growing. These patterns give you a more understated and subtle way to add a touch of playfulness to your home.

3- Change Cabinet Doors

Replacing the kitchen cabinet doors is a budget-friendly solution for a complete kitchen remodel and provides a quick way to enhance a room's appearance.

Though external fixtures often take the main priority, don't forget to factor in the practical aspects as well. If your current storage doesn't suit your needs, consider your pull outs, shelf arrangements, and drawer organizers. It's worth giving attention to how you can update the inside fixtures –in addition to the overall aesthetic.

4- Reface Flat-Fronted Cabinets or Add Moldings

You can use RTF (Rigid Thermofoil), a melamine-based compound, or real wood veneer to completely reface kitchen cabinets.

You may add moldings, trim, or other embellishments on flat-fronted cabinets to create a completely fresh look for your kitchen. Whether you choose to use wood or MDF for the strips, make sure they are precisely cut, evenly applied, and securely attached with pins and adhesive.

Remember to clean and lightly sand the surface of your existing cabinetry before refacing.

5- Install Lighting in Under-Cabinets

Without having to touch-up your kitchen cabinets, you can install under-cabinet lights - as part of your kitchen lighting ideas - so you can easily create task lighting for countertops below, as well as ambient illumination at night.

Under cabinet lighting is a practical way to softly brighten your kitchen, achieve focused light, and enhance the overall look and feel of your kitchen.

On top of that, using smart lighting can quickly introduce color to neutral kitchens and create a charming effect, bringing warmth and texture to even the emptiest surfaces.

Depending on your mood or the type of "scenes" you wish to create in your kitchen space, you can play with various colors and shades of light. This is made even easier with our access to hundreds of lighting colors.

Watch: Ultra Spacious Tiny House With Media Room & Kitchen To Die For!

 

The Best Way to Update Kitchen Cabinets Without Replacing Them

To update kitchen cabinets without replacing them, you can swap worn-out door and drawer fronts with new ones that were specifically measured and built to fit your cabinetry.

If your budget, however, does not permit this, the next best way to update kitchen cabinets without replacing them is to search for expert advice on painting kitchen cabinets –if the fronts are sound and undamaged or to reface them if they are in disrepair.

Here are 25 Easy Ways to Upgrade Basic Kitchen Cabinets. Visit the link to see the photo gallery of these kitchen cabinet upgrades:

1- Harness the power of paint

2- Try Removable Wallpaper

3- Install Crown Molding

4- Swap Out Boring Hardware

5- Install Sliding Shelves

6- Get Organized with Drawer Dividers

7- Remove Some Cabinet Doors

8- Add Glass Door Inserts

9- Beautify with Beadboard

10- Hang Storage Bars Inside Doors

11- Add Interest with Furniture Legs & Feet

12- Try Open Shelving

13- Add Toe Kick Drawers

14- Make Room for Wine (thin cubby shelf)

15- Add A Peg Organizer

16- Replace Door Fronts with Chicken Wire

17- Create Lid Storage

18- Light It Up Under the Cabinets

19- Built-In Message Center Cabinet

20- Handy Spice Storage

21- Mismatch Upper and Lower Cabinets

22- Play with Pops of Pattern

23- Add Under-Cabinet Shelving

24- Under-Shelf Wine Glass Holders

25- Craft a Plant Shelf

 

For more photo inspirations, check out:

26 DIY Kitchen Cabinet Updates So You Don't Have to Replace Them

Read also: Step-by-Step Guide on How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets

 

Do you have a tired looking kitchen cabinet? Give it a new touch and enjoy how it magically elevates your overall kitchen space. If you need expert design advice and help for your kitchen, or other spaces in your house, call JarvisInteriors today!

To get more interior decorating ideas from JarvisInteriors, check out this article: Nature-Inspired Spaces: Timeless Biophilic Trend in Interior Home Designs.

 

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CONTENT Credits

8 Best Designs to Upgrade Your Kitchen Cabinets

How to update kitchen cabinets without replacing them

Photo Credits:

26 DIY Kitchen Cabinet Updates So You Don't Have to Replace Them