Breathe new life into old kitchen cabinets with these clever DIY solutions—no full replacements required.
Skip the demolition and see these easy, ingenious ways to update tired cabinets. From paint to trim, inserts to hardware, these solutions are simple to do and affordable—and work just as well for bathroom cabinets as well!
1. Add a Decorative Edge
Transform your cabinet door into a 1-inch wood ball knob and recessed panel. Evenly space the balls around the inner edges of the panel and glue using heavy-duty glue. Let it dry, then prime and paint the door with the color of your choice. Reattach the hardware to complete.
2. DIY Glass Cabinet Front
Bring a sense of lightness to your cabinets with the addition of glass panels. Router out the center panel, sand and paint the door, and insert glass (clear, frosted, or ribbed) with a half-inch buffer around all edges. Secure with clips bought at a glass shop or DIY kit.
3. Caned Cabinet Combo
Repeat the above steps, but add cane webbing at the rear of the glass for texture. Back it with a painted 1/4-inch wood panel to obscure light. Stack the cane, panel, and glass, and secure using small square dowels and a pin nailer.
4. Starry Stenciled Detail
Paint cabinet the base color and allow to dry. Place your stencil, cutting it if necessary for recessed panels. Tap paint on with a stencil brush, then remove the stencil to see your pattern—no design degree necessary!
5. Barn-Style Cabinet Makeover
Add a farmhouse twist with trim that looks like barn doors. Cut and attach trim pieces in an « X » or cross pattern over the panel. Spackle holes, then sand, prime, and paint for a country update.
6. Wallpaper-Paneled Cabinets
Bring drama with wall decal wallpaper. Measure to fit inside the recessed area, peel off 2 inches of backing, line up, then stick the rest on slowly, smoothing as you go. Instant eye candy!
7. Herringbone Slab Door
Split a flat cabinet into four sections with pencil lines. Add angled edge banding strips of assorted wood colors, alternating direction in a herringbone pattern. Iron or affix them, then seal with a polyurethane finish.
8. Copper Sheet Accent
Mount a sheet of copper in the raised panel of a door for a high-end, rustic appearance. Frame it with narrow wood trim, secure with a pin nailer, and add texture with a hammered pattern made using an awl and pattern template.
9. Buffalo Check Cabinet Paint
Paint a 2-inch square grid, alternating gray and black with tape between coats. Paint in layers over a white background, removing tape between coats, to form a bold buffalo check pattern.
10. Trim-Layered Slab Door
Create a rich look by building up layers of detail in the trim. Baseboard trim creates a thick frame, and smaller decorative trims are added inside. Finish with paint and a glaze combination to create shadow and detail for a classic look.
11. Install Faux Shutter Panels
Mimic shutter slats with craft boards installed at an angle within a recessed panel. Layer boards slightly as you go. Frame all in narrow trim, then paint for a rustic cottage appearance. Sand between coats for a worn look.
12. The Paint Basics
Before getting elaborate, a fresh coat of paint can perform wonders. Take a crash course and learn how to prep, prime, and paint your cabinets like a pro for a finished look.
13. Wallpapered Insert
Bring pattern to cabinet doors using remnants of wallpaper. Paint first, then apply cut wallpaper using spray adhesive. Coat the whole surface with decoupage medium for sheen and durability.
14. Bird Silhouette Cabinet
Preserve the natural beauty of the wood but add whimsy with a contact-paper stencil. Paint with polyurethane, add the shape of the bird, paint over, and remove the stencil to reveal the design. Touch up where needed.
15. Decorative Molding Upgrade
Grant cabinet doors the look of lovely molding and corner decorations. Paint and cut all the pieces, then glue and clamp them on the door. The result? Instantaneously sophisticated style with minimal effort.
16. Antique Sheet Metal Insert
Add antique charm with decorative sheet metal. Cut out the panel with a jigsaw, paint the frame, and back it with painted wood strips prior to gluing the metal mesh into position.
17. Beaded-Board Charm
Swap out a cabinet’s center panel with beaded-board for a warm farmhouse appearance. Personalize the finish with paint, stain, or glaze to match your space.
18. Appliqué Accents
Paint wooden appliqués with glue on cabinet doors for classic cottage charm. Add a distressed wash or antique glaze for extra character.
19. Chalkboard Door Panel
Turn your cabinet into a message center! Tape off the panel, spray with chalkboard paint, and dry. Leave notes, reminders, or your favorite quotes.
20. DIY Lattice in Bold Color
Use electrical tape in a whimsical lattice pattern on a white ground. Paint over the tape with a vibrant hue like aqua, then remove the tape to leave sharp, graphic lines.
21. Corkboard Panel
Swap out old cabinet panels with sheets of cork for a functional and stylish fix. Use adhesive-backed cork to keep it easy, and pin up recipes or reminders.
22. Tin Ceiling Tile Doors
Cut out the panel and insert painted tin ceiling tiles for gloss and texture. Attach them inside the frame for a detailed, classic appearance.
23. Patterned Drill Detail
Drill a pattern, like a bird, into your cabinet door. Paint over using glossy paint for a decorative, easy-to-clean finish.
24. Fabric-Filled Cabinet
Wrap fabric around wood backing and insert it behind a cut-out panel. Paint the frame, and you’ve got a soft, tactile update that adds texture and warmth.
25. Labyrinth Design
Create a geometric masterpiece with thin molding strips. Lay out a pattern on the door, nail it in place, and dab the nailheads with matching paint.
26. Framed Photo Finish
Add personality with door-framed photos. Glue a small frame to the door, add a snapshot, and finish it off with a new knob for a custom, sentimental touch.
