What is the best way to update kitchen cabinets? The best way to update kitchen cabinets depends on your budget, time, and desired look, but popular options include painting, refinishing kitchen cabinets, or replacing doors for a quick kitchen cabinet makeover.
Giving your kitchen a fresh new look does not always mean spending a lot of money or tearing down walls. Your cabinets take up the most space in the kitchen. So, changing them can make a huge difference. This guide will show you simple, step-by-step ways to achieve a great DIY cabinet upgrade. We focus on methods that are easy for homeowners to do.
Planning Your Kitchen Cabinet Makeover
Before you pick up a paintbrush, good planning saves time and trouble later. Think about what you want the final result to look like.
Setting a Budget for Your Update
Deciding how much you can spend is the first big step. A full replacement is costly. Refinishing kitchen cabinets is much cheaper.
| Update Method | Estimated Cost Range (DIY) | Time Commitment | Impact on Look |
|---|---|---|---|
| Painting kitchen cabinets | Low to Medium | High (Drying time) | Very High |
| Cabinet hardware upgrade | Very Low | Very Low | Medium |
| Kitchen cabinet resurfacing options | Medium | Medium | High |
| Deep Cleaning/Staining | Very Low | Low | Low to Medium |
Choosing the Right Style
Do you want a bright, modern look, or something warm and traditional?
- Modernizing kitchen cabinets often means choosing crisp whites, light grays, or bold, dark colors like navy. Flat-panel doors work well here.
- Budget kitchen cabinet update styles often stick to classic colors that hide minor flaws, like creamy white or medium brown tones.
Step 1: Prepping Cabinets for Success
Proper prep work is the secret to a lasting finish, whether you are painting kitchen cabinets or refinishing kitchen cabinets. Skimping here leads to peeling paint or uneven stain later.
Removing Doors and Hardware
- Take all doors and drawer fronts off the boxes. This makes work easier.
- Label everything! Use sticky notes or tape on the back of each door and drawer. Note where it came from (e.g., “Top Left Upper”).
- Remove all knobs and pulls. Store the hardware safely. If you plan a cabinet hardware upgrade, set the old pieces aside for disposal or donation.
Deep Cleaning is Key
Grease and dirt prevent paint and stain from sticking well. You must clean thoroughly.
- Use a strong degreaser. TSP (Trisodium Phosphate) is great, but milder options like dish soap mixed with hot water or a dedicated cabinet cleaner also work.
- Scrub every surface. Pay close attention to edges and areas around handles where hands touch most.
- Rinse well with clean water. Let the pieces dry completely. Drying can take 24 hours or more.
Sanding for a Smooth Finish
Sanding removes the old glossy topcoat and creates “tooth” so the new finish grips the wood. This is vital for kitchen cabinet refinishing tips.
- For Painted or Varnish Finishes: Start with medium-grit sandpaper (120-grit). Follow up with fine-grit (180 or 220-grit).
- For Bare Wood: Start with 100-grit, move to 150-grit, and finish with 220-grit.
- Door Panels: If your doors have detailed panels, sanding them by hand is best. Use sanding sponges for curves.
- Cabinet Boxes: Use an orbital sander for large, flat areas on the boxes. Work carefully to avoid scratching the wood deeply.
Repairing Flaws
Look for dents, cracks, or holes from old hardware.
- Use wood filler for small nicks and holes. Let it dry fully.
- Sand the filled spots until they are level with the wood surface.
Step 2: Choosing Your Update Path
Your choice here defines the rest of the project. We look at painting, staining, and kitchen cabinet resurfacing options.
Path A: Painting Kitchen Cabinets (The Big Change)
Painting kitchen cabinets is the most popular choice for a major visual shift. It covers imperfections well and offers endless color choices.
Priming is Non-Negotiable
Primer seals the wood and gives the paint a strong base. Do not skip this step, especially when refinishing kitchen cabinets that were previously stained.
- Use a high-quality bonding primer. Oil-based or shellac primers are best for sealing tannins in wood (like oak or cherry) that can bleed through latex paint.
- Apply primer thinly and evenly. Use a high-quality foam roller or a sprayer for the smoothest finish on flat surfaces.
- Lightly sand (scuff sand) the primed surface with 320-grit paper after it dries. This removes any texture the primer created. Wipe clean.
Applying the Paint
For durability, use paint made for cabinets and trim. These paints dry harder than wall paint.
- Application Method: Sprayers give the smoothest factory-like finish. If you brush and roll, use thin coats. Two thin coats are better than one thick coat.
- Drying Time: Allow proper drying time between coats as specified by the paint manufacturer. This is crucial for a lasting finish.
Top Coat for Protection
A clear topcoat adds crucial protection against chips and wear. Polyurethane (water-based is less yellowing) or a specialized cabinet lacquer provides this shield.
Path B: Refinishing Kitchen Cabinets with Stain
If you love the look of real wood grain, staining is the way to go. This works best on solid wood doors without heavy veneer damage. This is true kitchen cabinet refinishing tips.
- Color Test: Always test your stain color on an inconspicuous area or a scrap piece of the same wood.
- Application: Apply the stain generously with a cloth or brush, working with the wood grain.
- Wipe Off Excess: Wait the recommended time (usually 5–15 minutes) and wipe off the excess stain completely. Too much residue leads to a sticky, uneven finish.
- Sealing: Once the stain is totally dry (often 24–48 hours), apply several thin coats of a clear protective finish, like polyurethane or varnish, sanding lightly between coats (320-grit).
Path C: Kitchen Cabinet Resurfacing Options (The Fast Fix)
If your doors are damaged or you want a radical change without deep stripping, resurfacing is an option. This falls under easy kitchen cabinet updates.
- Contact Paper/Vinyl Wrap: These self-adhesive films come in wood looks, matte colors, or even marble effects. They are affordable and stick directly over the old surface. They are a good temporary fix or a great budget kitchen cabinet update.
- Rethink Doors: If the cabinet boxes are good but the doors look dated (like 1980s oak), consider ordering brand new doors in a shaker style. You simply swap the old doors for the new ones. You still paint or stain the new doors, but you skip the difficult removal of old finishes.
Step 3: The Easiest Updates – Hardware and Details
These small changes offer huge visual impact for minimal effort. A cabinet hardware upgrade is a powerful tool for modernizing kitchen cabinets.
Swapping Knobs and Pulls
Changing the metal elements instantly updates the look.
- Style Matching: If you painted cabinets white and sleek, try matte black or brushed gold bar pulls. If you chose a farmhouse look, try oil-rubbed bronze cup pulls.
- Hole Alignment: When buying new hardware, check the center-to-center screw measurement. If you buy hardware with the same measurement, you don’t need to drill new holes. This keeps the project an easy kitchen cabinet update.
Adding Trim or Moulding
Adding simple trim can make stock cabinets look custom-built.
- Crown Moulding: Adding moulding to the top edge of the upper cabinets, going up to the ceiling, adds height and elegance.
- Light Rail Moulding: Attaching a thin strip of wood to the bottom edge of upper cabinets hides under-cabinet lighting fixtures perfectly.
Improving Functionality
While you have the doors off, consider these functional upgrades:
- Install soft-close hinges. These prevent doors from slamming shut. This is a worthwhile investment even in a budget kitchen cabinet update.
- Add roll-out shelves or drawer inserts inside the cabinets.
Step 4: Reassembly and Finishing Touches
Once all paint, stain, and seals are perfectly dry, it is time to put everything back together.
Reattaching Hardware
- Attach the new (or cleaned old) hardware to the doors and drawer fronts before hanging them up. It is much easier to work with the pieces lying flat on a workbench or floor.
Hanging Doors and Adjusting Alignment
Hanging doors is often the trickiest part of the DIY cabinet upgrade. Modern European-style hinges (which most new doors use) are adjustable.
- Side-to-Side: Adjusts how far the door overlaps the cabinet face.
- In and Out: Adjusts how flush the door sits against the frame.
- Up and Down: Adjusts the height alignment.
Take your time adjusting each hinge so the gaps between doors are even and straight. This attention to detail separates a good job from a great kitchen cabinet makeover.
Detailed Look at Kitchen Cabinet Refinishing Tips for Wood Types
Different woods require different approaches when refinishing kitchen cabinets.
Oak Cabinets
Oak has a very open, deep grain. This is challenging for painting because the grain texture can show through thin layers of paint, often requiring extra filler.
- For Staining: Oak takes stain beautifully, but deep sanding is needed to open the pores evenly.
- For Painting: Use a high-build primer or a grain filler specifically designed for oak before painting to achieve a smoother surface for your painting kitchen cabinets project.
Maple Cabinets
Maple is very dense with a tight, subtle grain. It is excellent for painting kitchen cabinets because it accepts paint evenly.
- For Staining: Maple can sometimes look blotchy with oil-based stains. Use a pre-stain conditioner first to ensure even color absorption.
Laminate or Thermofoil Cabinets
Older cabinets often use laminate (plastic coating) or thermofoil (vinyl over MDF). These surfaces are difficult because they are slick and non-porous. Standard sanding is often not enough.
- Best Approach: Use a specialized bonding primer made for slick surfaces (like liquid deglosser or bonding primers). Do not attempt to strip these finishes completely, as you will damage the substrate underneath. These are candidates for vinyl wrapping or a complete door replacement for the best results.
Comparing Kitchen Cabinet Resurfacing Options
When you decide against full refinishing kitchen cabinets, resurfacing gives you options.
| Option | Pros | Cons | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Painting | Total color change; covers minor flaws. | Very labor intensive; long cure time. | High impact, long-term change. |
| Vinyl Wrap | Fast application; wide range of looks. | Can peel or bubble with high heat/steam; less durable than paint. | Renters; quick budget kitchen cabinet update. |
| New Doors | Completely changes the door style (e.g., flat to shaker). | Higher cost than paint; requires precise measuring. | Doors are damaged but boxes are sound. |
Maintenance for Your Updated Cabinets
To keep your investment looking fresh, maintenance matters. This is especially true after intensive refinishing kitchen cabinets work.
- Cleaning: Use only soft cloths and mild, non-abrasive cleaners. Avoid harsh chemicals.
- Moisture Control: Wipe up spills immediately, especially near the sink or dishwasher. Excessive moisture is the enemy of painted wood finishes.
- Check Hardware: Periodically check screws on hinges and pulls to ensure they haven’t vibrated loose.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Updating Cabinets
Should I remove the doors for painting kitchen cabinets?
Yes. Removing the doors allows you to paint the front, back, and edges of the door perfectly flat. Painting them while hanging leads to drips, uneven coverage, and visible brush strokes on the door edges.
Can I stain over existing paint?
Generally, no. Paint seals the wood surface. You must completely remove the paint through chemical stripping or heavy sanding before you can apply a true stain. If you want a new color over paint, you should repaint, not stain.
How long will refinishing kitchen cabinets take me?
If you are fully painting kitchen cabinets (prep, prime, two coats of paint, drying time), expect the project to take a long weekend (3–4 days) minimum, accounting for necessary drying periods between steps. If you are only doing a cabinet hardware upgrade, it might take an afternoon.
Is kitchen cabinet resurfacing options like vinyl wrap durable?
Vinyl wraps offer decent short-term durability. They handle light wiping well. However, they do not hold up as well as professionally applied paint or lacquer against constant heat (like near a stove) or high humidity over many years.
What is the easiest way to achieve modernizing kitchen cabinets?
For the quickest visual change, combine a cabinet hardware upgrade with painting the cabinets a popular modern color like light gray or white. This provides the biggest visual payoff for a DIY effort.