How to Update Kitchen Cabinets Without Replacing Them

The cabinets are likely the first thing people notice when entering your kitchen, so it’s important to keep them updated and looking good. Luckily, that doesn’t have to mean total replacement. I’ve seen homeowners choose much cheaper and less time-consuming ways to refresh their kitchen cabinets.

Here are eight of those DIY options for updating kitchen cabinets.

Replace Hardware

Replacing outdated handles and hinges can dramatically change the look and style of your cabinets, with minimal work. Choose new handles and knobs that coordinate with updated finishes or add a welcome pop of color.

Hinge replacement is a favorite cabinet update of Jeff Shipwash, owner of Shipwash Contracting. He recommends replacing old hinges with soft close-style hinges, a project that takes less than a day. It involves a lot of unscrewing and re-screwing, but depending on your new hardware can cost less than $100 for an average kitchen.

Replacing outdated handles and knobs can cost even less, unless you choose high-end hardware. This is one of the best low-budget kitchen cabinet upgrades you can make.

Complete Refinish

Refinishing, re-staining or painting kitchen cabinets can give them a new look without total replacement. For refinishing kitchen cabinets, Shipwash says, “The key is to do it slow, and do it right. Refinishing cabinets is not a difficult job, but it does require some tedious work in order to get a great finish.”

You’ll need a drill, wood filler or putty, a palm sander, paint sprayer and plastic drop cloths, as well as your stain or paint.

Whether you’re staining or painting the cabinets, start by removing all the cabinet doors, drawers and hardware. Then Shipwash recommends making any necessary repairs to the cabinets, like covering scratches or chips with wood filler. Use the palm sander to remove any buildup and achieve a smooth finish.

Thoroughly vacuum any dust and clean all the cabinet components. Shipwash recommends using a high-quality paint sprayer and covering surrounding areas in plastic. This project should take two to four days and cost $100 to $500, depending on materials.