9 1/2 Great Ideas for Updating or Installing Kitchen Cabinets

When it comes to their potential uses, kitchen cupboards are quite flexible. With the appropriate hues, patterns, and embellishments, they can also improve the look of your kitchen.

However, after some time, you might determine that your kitchen cabinets could use some updating. You spend a lot of time in your kitchen, and after a while you get tired of staring at the same dull cabinets that contrast with the rest of the décor.

If you've just bought a new house, you might decide to start fresh by installing new kitchen cabinets, or you might even decide to change the kitchen's entire theme.

We'll highlight some doable suggestions to improve the look of your kitchen cupboards. These ideas are simple to put into practice and will make your cupboards a beautiful feature in your kitchen.

1) Replacing Cabinet Doors

Replace your cabinet doors as part of your kitchen renovation endeavor. In terms of both time and money, this is a sizable commitment, but you might find that the result is worthwhile. It might give your kitchen a significant makeover.

Refacing your cabinets may be a good option if you like the general layout and design of your kitchen but it has outdated or damaged doors.

2) Replacing Cabinet Handles

As a component of your kitchen renovation, you might think about installing kitchen cabinet handles. Be sure that you are swapping out like for like when it comes to the holes needed if you'd rather not drill new holes and have to patch the old ones.

It's a great way to modernize your kitchen without having to undertake a major makeover to update your kitchen cabinets with new hardware, such as new handles. Your kitchen will look better and have a sleeker finish if you change the handles on your kitchen cabinets or any other frequently touched items.

3) Install Under-Cabinet Lighting

Here's a fantastic method to modernize your kitchen cabinets without compromising their integrity. For the countertops that are situated beneath your cabinets, you can quickly create task lighting.

The kitchen can be discreetly brightened and given focused light by using under-cabinet lighting. Additionally, it can enhance your kitchen's general appearance.

The finest lighting options are color-changing smart bulbs or smart LED strip lighting. This enables you to adjust the light's brightness and hue to suit your needs while cooking.

When it comes to the lighting under your kitchen cabinets, you have a lot of choices. For instance, you will be able to select from a variety of colors and light shades that you can use to set the atmosphere in the kitchen.

4) Adding Moldings to or Refacing Flat-Fronted Cabinets

For flat-fronted cabinets, adding moldings, details, or trim is a fantastic notion. This can completely change the way your kitchen feels and looks.

With a cupboard refacing, you can choose between using real wood veneer and RTF (Rigid Thermofoil), a melamine-based material. Whether you decide to use wood or MDF (Medium-density fiberboard) for the strips, make sure they are precisely cut, evenly applied, and securely fastened with adhesive and pins.

5) Adding Glass Inserts to Cabinet Doors

You can do this instead of removing the top cabinet doors. You can showcase your favorite dishes while keeping them dust-free by adding glass inserts.

Your current kitchen cupboard doors will need to be modified, and the inner panel will need to be replaced with glass.

Using tinted, leaded, or reeded glass will help you express your artistic side.

With this update, you can play with various glass types and add your own distinctive style to the kitchen.

6) Extending Upper Cabinets to the Ceiling

Extending the upper cabinets to the ceiling is the ideal update if you have a lot of room above your kitchen cabinets. You can immediately make your kitchen appear taller and more finished by closing this gap.

You could start by constructing a frame around the empty area, adding filler material, crown molding, and painting it to match your cabinets.

Another option is to add an open shelf underneath and raise the cabinet boxes for useful storage.

7) Adding Toe-Kick Drawers

Installing toe-kick drawers in your basic kitchen cabinet is a simple update. For flat objects like plates, cutting boards, batteries, flashlights, etc., this will free up more storage room.

8) Adding a Peg Organizer

Peg organizers are a great way to give the bottom cabinet drawers some useful storage. This provides a more convenient organizational system that is more visually attractive than plastic and coated metal organizational systems.

9) Painting Cabinets

A fresh layer of paint can do wonders for bringing new life to your kitchen cabinetry. It is also a low-cost method to improve the appearance of your kitchen. The majority of kitchen cabinets can typically be repainted with a high-quality primer and specialized paint.

9.5) Paint Just a Portion of the Kitchen Cabinets

If you don't want to commit to a total color change, consider painting just the upper, lower, or island cabinets. Adding a second color will add visual interest while also keeping the area from feeling one-dimensional.

Use several shades of lighter or darker paint than your existing kitchen cabinets to achieve a more custom look.

4 Ideas for Kitchen Cabinet Installations 

1) Modern Kitchen Cabinets

Modern kitchen cabinets will dramatically improve the appearance of your kitchen and your complete home. Glass, laminates, and metals such as aluminum may be used in the construction of your cupboards.

2) Classic Kitchen Cabinets

Classic cabinets, also known as conventional cabinets, are almost always fashionable. This style of kitchen cabinet has a casual and comfortable look. They are typically found in natural wood tones such as oak that are neutral in feel and color.

3) Minimalist Kitchen Cabinets

In a small area, minimalist kitchen cabinets emphasize functionality. It will have handle less designs with recessed doors and compartments. They give your kitchen a cleaner, more modern look.

4) Open Concept Kitchen Cabinets

An open-concept kitchen design offers you a lot of creativity.

Benefits of Open Concept Kitchen Cabinets include:

• Opens up your home and improves traffic movement
• Increases the versatility and functionality of your kitchen for both daily tasks and entertaining
• It turns a dark kitchen into a light, open space
• You'll be able to cook while also socializing with family or visitors

Now let's look at the expense involved with these cabinet installations.

Cost of Installing Kitchen Cabinets

The cost of purchasing and installing new kitchen cabinets has a significant effect on the cost of the cabinets. The total cost is primarily determined by the style of cabinetry you select. It's a good idea to set a budget for your kitchen remodel.

Pros and Cons of Cabinet Refacing and Cabinet Replacement

Let's begin with cabinet refacing.

PROS of Cabinet Refacing

• It is less costly than replacing the cabinet.
• Because materials from old cabinets are not sent to landfills, refacing is more environmentally friendly.
• There will be less mess and disturbance.

CONS of Cabinet Refacing

• For the best outcomes when refacing cabinets, boxes must be in perfect condition.
• All of the boxes stay the same size and location.
• The interiors are not refaced.

Here are the pros and cons of cabinet replacement.

PROS of Cabinet Replacement

• Cabinet replacement allows you to rebuild your kitchen from the bottom up.
• You can personalize your design and upgrade finishes to increase the resale value of your house.
• Allows you to add more room if necessary.

CONS of Cabinet Replacement

• More expensive than refacing.
• Can disrupt daily life.
• Could take a lot of time to complete.

Call us today at (503) 363-1059 to get started on your ideal kitchen remodel in Salem!