how do you update old wood cabinets

8 Ways to Update Kitchen Cabinets

Full Answer

How can I make my old kitchen cabinets look new?

How to Make Old Kitchen Cabinets Look New

• Paint Your Old Kitchen Cabinets. If you walk into your kitchen and the atmosphere is gloomy, it’s probably because you need a new, fresh and updated look.
• Add Under-Cabinet Valence Lighting. ...
• Add Cabinet or Crown Moulding. ...
• Update Hardware and Hinges. ...
• Hire a Kitchen Cabinet Refinishing and Painting Professional. ...

How to refinish your old kitchen cabinets?

Tips for Refinishing Kitchen Cabinets

• The “Before”. ...
• Protective Measures. ...
• Preparation Pays Off. ...
• Degrease. ...
• Prep, Part One: SVT. ...
• Prime Time! ...
• Application. ...
• Prep, Part Two: Repeat SVT. ...
• Top It Off. ...
• De-Prep (Almost There!) Once everything has dried to the point where you can handle it, start by removing the tape and plastic from the cabinets.

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How to choose cabinet makeover or new cabinets?

Choose new doors with glass panes. Paint the sides and fronts of the cabinet boxes, or cover them with veneer. Install new hinges. Install additional accessories, like in- or under-cabinet lighting or glass panels. There are several benefits to making over your cabinets rather than installing brand new ones. In addition to costing less than new ...

How to reface your old kitchen cabinets?

• Remove all cabinet doors, drawers and drawer fronts.
• Remove all the hardware from the cabinets and drawer pulls from the drawers.
• Clean the sides and faces of the cabinets and drawers. ...
• Lightly sand all the exposed surfaces with a medium-grit sandpaper.
• Wipe down all surfaces with a tack cloth.

How can I update my cabinets without replacing them?

You can paint kitchen cabinets to change their color or, if they're made from wood you might choose to refinish kitchen cabinets, or stain them. But you could go further....Repaint or stain them. ... Change cabinet handles. ... Replace cabinet doors. ... Add moldings to or reface flat-fronted cabinets. ... Install under-cabinet lighting.

How do you make old wooden cabinets look good?

Saturate a small cloth with the FEED-N-WAX Wood Polish and Conditioner and wipe evenly all over the wood surface. Let wax stand for at least 20 minutes and then wipe off all the excess. There you go, just like brand new!

Are wood cabinets making a comeback 2021?

Adding more cabinet options and features, such as appliances that use cabinet doors as fronts, are ideal for 2021 kitchens. Wooden finishes are also making a return for cabinets, but typically in lighter shades and not the traditional cherry wood of the early 2000s.

How do you make old flat cabinets look modern?

How To Make Old Flat Cabinets Look Modern?Repaint Kitchen Cabinets.Install Under Cabinet Light.Reface Kitchen Cabinetry.Update Hardware.Assemble Sliding Shelves.Add Cabinet Crown Molding.Replace Some Cabinet Doors.Craft Plant Shelves.

Are oak cabinets Coming Back in Style 2022?

NATURAL WOOD KITCHEN CABINETS As far as natural wood cabinet colors go, light and medium oak will still be trending in 2022 … whether it's your full kitchen or just your kitchen island. Either way looks beautiful! And you can't go wrong with beautiful stained (or painted) dark kitchen cabinets.

How do I make my cabinets look modern?

12 DIY Ideas To Modernize Oak CabinetsClean the cabinets. ... Add a modern backsplash and grout color. ... Remove some upper cabinets and replace them with open shelving. ... Change out the hardware. ... Change the faucet hardware. ... Replace the countertops. ... Paint a light color on your kitchen walls. ... Add a new kitchen island.More items...•

What is the most popular kitchen cabinet color for 2022?

WhiteWhite is still the most popular kitchen cabinet color in 2022 and beyond. However, we are seeing a shift towards warmer and more natural tones. We cover the best colors for cabinets from Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams like Simply White, Dove White, and Chantilly Lace.

What are the new kitchen colors for 2022?

For a colorful refresh with both style and staying power, try one of these designer-favorite kitchen color trends for 2022 and beyond....Nature-Inspired Greens. ... Bold Black. ... Warmed-Up Grays. ... Sunny Yellows. ... Rich Earth Tones.

What is the trend for kitchen cabinets in 2022?

'Handleless kitchen cabinets are one of the biggest trends for 2022 for more pared-back, streamlined look. It's all about simplicity and a focus on cabinetry details,' explains Busola Evans, Kitchen and Bathroom Supplement Editor.

How can I make cheap kitchen cabinets look expensive?

Here's some savvy advice from the pros who know, along with excellent cheap and simple cabinet updates you can start—and finish—this weekend.Cabinet upgrade: paint your cabinets a fresh color. ... Cabinet upgrade: install brushed-brass accents. ... Cabinet upgrade: brighten cabinet backs. ... Cabinet upgrade: add temporary wallpaper.More items...•

How can I make my plain cabinets look better?

2:148:5710 Cheap Cabinet Makeover Ideas for Limited Kitchen - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd think that you've just put in new cabinets. Well actually they're just old cabinets that haveMoreAnd think that you've just put in new cabinets. Well actually they're just old cabinets that have been reface with veneer pretty impressive right refacing old cabinets with veneer is the easiest way

How can I update my kitchen cabinets cheap?

Budget kitchen ideasSpray paint hardware on kitchen cabinets.Install vinyl flooring.Consider adding a kitchen rug.Swap cabinets for open shelving.Upcycle an old window frame.Label your containers.Mount baskets on the wall.Add a wooden splashback.More items...•

How do you restore old kitchen cabinets?

0:172:50Home Depot: How To Revive Old Kitchen Cabinetry (English)YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipProject wearing rubber gloves put a generous amount of degausser onto your scrub pad and scour eachMoreProject wearing rubber gloves put a generous amount of degausser onto your scrub pad and scour each cabinet door drawer front and frame for several minutes.

How can I refinish my kitchen cabinets without stripping them?

Applying polyurethane over the stained surface is the easiest part when it comes to refinishing kitchen cabinets without stripping them. What is this? Apply one coat, allow it time to dry, and apply another coat. Repeat this process until you are satisfied with the results.

What to do with old cabinets?

What To Do With Old Kitchen Cabinets: 4 OptionsDonate Them. If they're in good shape, you can donate kitchen cabinets to a local nonprofit organization, such as Habitat For Humanity or Goodwill. ... Sell Them. ... Recycle/Upcycle Them. ... Throw Them Away. ... Find Your New Kitchen Cabinets At Lily Ann Cabinets.

How do you paint wood cabinets without sanding?

If you don't want to sand before you prime, use some mineral spirits and a rough sponge to clean and lightly rough up the cabinet area you're painting. This doesn't open up the wood cabinet material as much as sanding but does get you some additional grippy area for the primer to adhere to.

How many open shelves should I use for a backsplash?

I'd then do 3 open shelves suspended between the center cabinet and the end cabinets on each side, and run the tile backsplash up behind the open shelves. This will give you a lighter, more customized look and really make you feel like you updated your kitchen.

Do you have to change the wood under cabinet pulls?

Even the wood under the cabinet pulls, when you remove them, will be lighter underneath, in that sculpted shape, than on the main part of the door. And yes, those need to be changed and the entire length of the pull covered to avoid that problem.

Do realtors tell you to paint kitchen cabinets?

First of all, a realtor will likely tell you to paint the kitchen cabinets when you go to sell , but we're going to ignore that right now. If you're like me, it's not fun pushing hubby to spend on something like this if he likes it as is. I think we can get an updated look without doing that for now.

Do you need to spend on new appliances?

You need to spend on new appliances. Stainless steel will reflect some light in the space and feel new. It will be fun to have new appliances for you to enjoy in your last years in that house too. Realtors can relate to new buyers that they were all replaced just a few years prior and that will help sell your house. Buyers love new appliances.

Do new appliances freshen up a kitchen?

New appliances always helps freshen up a kitchen!

How Can I Update My Kitchen Cabinets Without Replacing Them?

You can easily update your kitchen cabinets without replacing them (either by painting or refacing them).. It is the cheapest and effective way to change their look from old to modern.

How Can I Make My Old Cabinets Look Better Or Modern?

By coloring the cabinets properly it will change the look to a extend but, if you want something extra or want it to look completely modern, then you will have to make some changes.

How To Make The Kitchen Cabinets From Scratch?

If you want a completely new look then you can make it from scratch. There are three ways to make it from scratch.

Final Thoughts

You can update the old kitchen cabinets to a modern look in three ways:

What can be done about dated, oak kitchen cabinets?

You can call them, “honey” or “golden”, but those cabinets are anything but sweet or perfect. They’re solid wood, they were expensive in the ’80s and ’90s, but now look too yellow, or orange. They’re the bossy, colour element in the space and it’s difficult to know how to tone them down.

What color should I paint behind cabinets?

There are two directions I suggest. The first is Benjamin Moore’s Kendall Charcoal. It’s a great, dark, smoky grey. I’d use accent pieces in pewters, blacks, golds, yellows and a little white.

Why paint wood trim?

Painting wood neutralizes the colour but still accentuates the profile, the craftsmanship of the wood. The results can be quite beautiful.

What is the last option in a kitchen?

The last option is replacement . Maybe it’s time for an upgrade. Take the time to address all the quirky things that make working in your kitchen difficult. Do doors open into each other? It may be a good idea to work with a kitchen designer to help you see areas you can improve.

Can you paint wood cabinets?

You can paint wood cabinets. I have a few solutions. The first can be a DIY project if you’re confident and have a steady hand. Sand and paint all the cabinetry. The wood will take to the paint beautifully, it will last and it’s not an expensive solution.

Can you donate old oak cabinets?

If you can, repurpose those cabinets or donate them if they’re in good shape. And finally, here’s a secret… if you’re patient, hang on to them, golden oak is slowly making its way back in style.

Which side of a door is easier to update?

The door on the top right and left-hand sides are usually the easiest styles to update. The bottom left is a double cathedral and is the MOST difficult. The bottom right is EASIER, but not as fab as the shaker style

How to keep old golden oak?

RESURRECT: To keep the old golden oak and simply refresh it with a fresh coat of golden oak stain and lacquer

Do kitchen cabinets from the 80s and 90s have knobs?

More often than not, cabinets from the 80s and 90s don’t have hardware (handles or knobs). While functionally it’s not a big deal because you can still open them, decoratively it’s like you’re missing the last piece of the puzzle.

Can you paint oak cabinets?

You had to see this one coming…painting your oak cabinets is a great way to update and modernize them. Many men (and some women) will say, ‘but it’s wood, you can’t paint wood !’ and this is where I hand them a scotch on the rocks and calmly repeat…

Is it good to paint wood?

Why is it good to paint wood? Well, it’s good for resale. Generally speaking, traditional oak cabinets appeal to those 70 and older. If that’s your target market then just keep them stained and call it a day. However, if you’re looking to appeal to a younger and more modern crowd (69 years and younger), you’ll want to consider painting them.

Do shaker cabinets have cathedral or arched?

Do they have a cathedral, arched or shaker style? Shaker style is great as the look transitions to modern styles quite easily, but a cathedral or arched style is not so easy . Even if you decide to restain your cabinets a lovely tone stain, they might STILL look outdated as it’s the style that’s dated.

How to add interest to a cabinet door?

Be sure to factor in the size of the four embellishments for the corners. Use a miter box to cut the molding strips to size. Paint the cabinet, molding, and embellishments the same color. When dry, use wood glue to affix the molding and embellishments to the cabinet. Clamp the pieces in place until the glue dries.

How to decorate a cabinet door?

Dress up an ordinary cabinet door with a pretty painted pattern. First, paint the cabinet your desired background color and let dry. Tape a stencil in place on the door. (We used the "You're a Star" tile stencil from Royal Designs .) If you're working with a door that has a recessed panel, you may need to cut the stencil to fit. Using a stencil paint brush, paint the open areas of the stencil with an tapping motion. Peel off the stencil to reveal your painted pattern.

How to add cottage style to kitchen?

Add cottage style to your kitchen with simple embellishments and a little paint. Wooden appliques (available at home improvement centers and crafts stores) can be easily painted and attached to cabinet doors with wood glue. For an antiqued look, mix up a paint wash to create a distressed finish.

How to paint a cabinet door with a stencil?

Dress up an ordinary cabinet door with a pretty painted pattern. First, paint the cabinet your desired background color and let dry. Tape a stencil in place on the door. (We used the "You're a Star" tile stencil from Royal Designs .) If you're working with a door that has a recessed panel, you may need to cut the stencil to fit. Using a stencil paint brush, paint the open areas of the stencil with an tapping motion. Peel off the stencil to reveal your painted pattern.

How to make a bird out of wood doors?

Give old wood doors a makeover, but let a bit of their original character show through. First, apply a coat of polyurethane spray paint to seal the wood. To create this bird, trace your desired shape onto contact paper (we used clip art found online), then cut it out and press it onto the cabinet front. Use your fingernail to seal the edges tightly. Paint the cabinet (we used off-white semigloss interior latex paint ). When dry, carefully remove the contact paper to reveal your design. Use a damp cloth to remove any paint that bleeds under the contact paper.

How to make a copper cabinet?

A simple sheet of copper metal can transform an outdated kitchen cabinet into an eye-catching focal point. Cut the copper to the size of the door's raised panel. Cut narrow wood trim pieces to create a frame around the copper sheet. Use a pin nailer to attach the trim pieces and copper to the cabinet's panel. Tape a printed pattern (we found a simple honeycomb design online) to the copper panel. Use an awl and hammer to punch equally spaced holes into the copper sheet according to the pattern.

How to make a door into a modern masterpiece?

Start by cutting a 1/2-inch board into strips. Paint the door and the strips in the same color and let dry . Lay the strips on the door to create a labyrinth design and nail them in place. Cover up the nailheads with dabs of paint.

How to give a new meaning to custom cabinetry?

Give a whole new meaning to custom cabinetry by lining the sides of drawers with removable wallpaper. Elegantly enhance with subdued patterns, or pick a beautiful, bold motif to add some secret style to simple cabinets.

What to do with boring kitchen cabinets?

Dress up a boring kitchen island or plain cabinet fronts with beadboard. The sophisticated paneling has been used for years to add texture and interest to otherwise plain surfaces and is the perfect way to rethink old, tired cabinets before painting.

How to make a white kitchen look more modern?

Add beauty and colorful contrast to your kitchen by mismatching your upper and lower cabinets. This is a fantastic way to upgrade a white kitchen without biting off more than you can chew. This trendy approach tends to look best with a dark, moody color on the bottom and a white or other neutral on top.

How to maximize storage in kitchen without building more cabinetry?

Want to maximize storage in the kitchen without building more cabinetry? Look to your pantry or cabinet doors as blank canvases for all your hanging storage needs. Put that wasted space to good use and install a small window treatment rod (like this Fintorp Ikea rail and Syrlig curtain clips) to hang spices, potholders and more in reach and out of sight.

What is under cabinet wine storage?

As with under-cabinet shelving, under-cabinet wine storage is a fantastic way to utilize dead space. The storage not only adds to the usability of your cabinets but offers a safe storage solution for wine glasses that allows them to air dry.

What paint did Amy Gregson use on her cabinets?

With some chicken wire and white chalk paint, craft blogger Amy Gregson transformed her builder-grade oak cabinets into her dream farmhouse kitchen. “It really lightened the space up and gave it a ton of personality,” she says. “It makes me smile every time I walk in there!”

What is a good alternative to a bulletin board?

Solution: If you don't want to pin items on your refrigerator or have the wall space for a bulletin board, a base message center cabinet is a good alternative. It gives you an organized spot for the papers, while also providing a great way to end a cabinet run.