How to Update Kitchen Cabinets Without Replacing Them

Letting your gaze wander around the kitchen, you notice the cabinets are starting to look tired and worn. However, replacing them entirely would be expensive and time consuming, so you need a simple alternative that will breathe new life into your space.

Sitting down at the breakfast bar, you pick up your phone and search for tips on how to update old kitchen cabinets without replacing them. To your delight, there are countless ways to zhuzh up your cabinets, from adding new kitchen door handles to transforming them with cabinet moulding.

Make your old kitchen cabinets look as good as new with these simple ideas for how to update them.

5 ways to update your kitchen cabinets without replacing them

1. Add a fresh coat of paint

One of the easiest ways to update your old cabinets is to apply a fresh coat of paint. This can give faded and worn cabinets a whole new lease of life and change the appearance of your entire kitchen.

Make sure you choose a paint colour that complements the rest of your kitchen so the space looks cohesive. If your cabinets are currently painted a dark colour but your kitchen feels very small and claustrophobic, it’s always a good idea to select a lighter paint colour to make the room feel more spacious and inviting.

Design tip: Kitchens can get messy, so it’s best to use a water and grease resistant paint on your cabinets to prevent any splashes from staining them.

2. Wrap your cabinet doors

Another popular way to update your kitchen cabinets is to wrap them with vinyl. Vinyl wrapped doors are available in a wide range of finishes including high gloss, wood effect, matte, textured, and patterned, allowing you to completely transform the appearance of your cabinets in any way you like.

Vinyl wrapping will also help to preserve the quality of your cabinets, preventing them from being damaged by heat, water, grease, or anything else found in the kitchen that could ruin bare cabinets.

3. Change your cabinet handles

Although it’s a small detail, changing your kitchen cabinet handles and drawer knobs can massively change the appearance of your kitchen. There are a wide variety of different handle styles available that are great for modernising outdated cabinets, and they’re quick and easy to replace even if DIY isn’t usually your thing.

‘Accessorising your kitchen units with beautiful new metal handles is like adding jewellery to an outfit’, says Ally Dowsing-Reynolds, interiors expert and co-founder of Dowsing & Reynolds. ‘They can totally change the overall feel, and the metallic accents shimmer enticingly to elevate everything.’

Design tip: If time and budget allow, consider updating the light switches and sockets in your kitchen to match your new cabinet handles. This is a subtle and easy way to tie the space together and create an inviting atmosphere.

Image courtesy of @renovating_the_house

4. Install under-cabinet lighting

Lighting has the power to completely transform the feel and appearance of a room, so adding LED strip lights under your cabinets is a great way to make your entire kitchen more stylish and inviting.

Use them to add a pop of colour to your kitchen cabinets, turning them into a focal point within the room, or use them in combination with the rest of your kitchen lighting to provide you with the perfect amount of light for any activity, whether cooking, cleaning, or relaxing.

Design tip: In multifunctional spaces like the kitchen, it’s always a good idea to create a layered lighting scheme. By combining different types of lighting, you ensure you’ll always have the right lighting for every time of day.

5. Add cabinet moulding

Moulding is a decorative strip of wood that can be added to the top, sides, or bottom of your kitchen cabinets to enhance their appearance. It’s a great way to update the look of your kitchen without having to completely replace the cabinets, adding eye-catching detailing that can turn them into beautiful focal points.

There are many different styles of moulding to choose from and the strips of wood are usually secured with nails or adhesive. Cabinet moulding is a great choice if you’re looking for a non-permanent cabinet upgrade because it can be removed just as easily as it was installed.

Show us your beautiful kitchen interiors

We’d love to see how you’ve used these ideas for how to update old kitchen cabinets without replacing them to transform your kitchen. Tag us on Instagram @dowsingandreynolds – we can’t wait to see what you’ve come up with!

Related blogs

• 6 Ways To Give Your Kitchen A Makeover On A Budget
• 5 Kitchen Island Lighting Ideas to Illuminate the Hub of Your Home
• 3 Easy Ways To Give Your Flat Panel Doors A Makeover