To update your kitchen cabinets without replacing them, consider these creative DIY ideas:
- Replacing outdated handles and hinges with new ones to create a new look and style.
- Completely refinishing, re-staining, or painting kitchen cabinets can give them a new look without total replacement.
- Wallpaper the interior, convert wood doors to glass, add lighting, switch to open shelving, add crown molding, and paint existing cabinets.
- Swapping out old door and drawer fronts for new ones.
- Painting cabinets to give new life to old cabinets.
- Distressing the cabinets with whitewash, two-tone, two-tone, two-tone, whitewash, two-tone, two-tone, change cabinet handles, add molding, change kitchen door fronts, and install under-cabinet lighting.
- Refacing cabinets by repainting them, adding new hardware, replacing cabinet doors, and adding new hardware.
- Repainting the cabinets with peel and stick wallpaper, replacing doors, and adding new hardware.
- Replacing angled cabinets or corner cabinets with a clean, classic white backsplash like subway tile or a new stainless steel hood vent can modernize the space.
- Painting cabinets is one of the easiest, least expensive, and most effective ways to update the look of a kitchen.
In summary, updating your kitchen cabinets without replacing them is possible through various DIY ideas, such as painting, distressing, refinishing, replacing doors, and adding new hardware. These DIY projects can help you modernize your kitchen without breaking the bank.
📹 4 Ways to Update Kitchen Cabinets Without Replacing Them (Part 1: Overview)
Looking to update kitchen cabinets on a budget? Refresh your cabinets without replacing them by using paint, crown moulding, …
Is it cheaper to reface cabinets or repaint them?
The decision-making process for painting, replacing, or refacing kitchen cabinets involves considering factors such as budget, cabinet condition, and style and aesthetics. Painting is the most cost-effective option, while refacing is mid-range and expensive. Assessing the condition of cabinet frames and boxes is crucial, as well as determining if a fresh coat or new doors align with your desired kitchen style.
Is it cheaper to repair or replace cabinets?
Refinishing or refacing wood cabinets can be an economically viable option for those who are dissatisfied with their existing layout or style. The financial implications of these two options are as follows: refinishing costs approximately two-thirds of the cost of refacing, while refacing costs 70-80% of the cost of installing replacement cabinets. For those with limited financial resources, resurfacing is often the more economical choice.
Is it cheaper to reface cabinets or replace?
Cabinet refacing is a cost-effective way to change the look of cabinets without replacing them. It involves removing cabinet doors and drawer fronts, applying a new veneer, replacing door hinges, handles, and drawer pulls, and replacing the existing surface of the cabinet body or boxes. Professional cabinet refacing costs 30- to 50-percent less than custom cabinet replacement, with costs ranging from $100 to $200 per linear foot for laminate finishes to $455 per linear foot for real wood veneers.
How can I update my cabinets without replacing them?
Refinishing kitchen cabinets can give them a new look without total replacement. To achieve a great finish, it’s important to do it slowly and right. Tools needed include a drill, wood filler, a palm sander, paint sprayer, plastic drop cloths, stain or paint, and a paint or stain. To start, remove cabinet doors, drawers, and hardware. Shipwash recommends making necessary repairs, such as covering scratches or chips with wood filler, and using a palm sander to remove buildup for a smooth finish.
Can you reconfigure existing kitchen cabinets?
It is possible to reconfigure existing cabinets, but the range of available designs is restricted. In the event of a comprehensive kitchen renovation, the installation of new cabinetry may prove to be a requisite investment.
How to inexpensively update your kitchen?
To makeover a kitchen on a budget, consider painting cabinets, updating handles and pulls, replacing countertops, upgrading lighting, updating flooring, replacing old appliances, and shopping around. Kitchens have evolved over the years, and updating them can be essential for selling a home. However, funding for a kitchen remodel can be challenging due to the substantial cost. The best way to do a kitchen makeover on a budget is to do a quick refresh instead of a full remodel.
A refresh involves smaller cosmetic updates that don’t require permits, keeping project costs low and allowing for necessary kitchen updates without requiring permits. This approach can still yield a high return on investment. By following these tips, you can make the most of your kitchen renovation budget and achieve a modern, functional kitchen that appeals to your target audience.
How to bring old cabinets back to life?
- Remove hardware by looking for good quality cabinets on Craigslist. Avoid cabinets with glued-on hardware as it can save time and money in the future.
- Strip stain with cheap paint stripper, brushing on with an old crap paint brush and leaving it on for 25-30 minutes. Apply generously, but don’t be stingy with the amount. After the cabinet has sat for a while, use a scraper to remove the gunk, being careful not to scrape too hard as the wood is fragile at this point.
- Sand the cabinet to remove any loose debris. Sand the cabinet with a sandpaper, then apply a coat of paint stripper. Brush and restain the cabinet with a brush and restain it with a brush and restain. Clean the cabinet with a clean cloth and reinstall the hardware or cabinets.
How can I make my kitchen cabinets look new again?
This list of 10 kitchen cabinet makeover ideas includes painting, refacing, installing a pull-out cabinet shelf, installing undercabinet lighting, building a butcher block island, building a sideboard, building a built-in cabinet window seat, and adding a plate rack. These ideas can be done without the need for a complete overhaul, and can be done in various ways, such as simple paint jobs or more involved DIY projects. Painting cabinets can significantly alter the look and feel of the kitchen, especially if the current cabinets are dark and cramped.
To ensure the best results, it is essential to ensure the cabinets are structurally sound, clean thoroughly, and follow proper painting techniques. For more information on painting kitchen cabinets, refer to the comprehensive guide on how to paint them.
How do you restore wood cabinets without refinishing?
This article provides a simple and cost-effective solution to refinish wooden cabinets without the need for actual refinishing. The process involves cleaning the cabinets, purchasing Restor-A-Finish, Super Fine Steel Wool, and Howard Feed-N-Wax from Home Depot, applying the Restor-A-Finish, and applying Howard Feed-N-Wax. The cabinet refinishing process can be completed in just two steps, saving the homeowner about $20. 00.
The article also mentions using old flannel sheets as cloth pads, which can be used to create a new look for the cabinets. This simple and cost-effective solution can be a cost-effective and visually appealing solution for old wooden cabinets.
What is the cheapest way to redo kitchen cabinets?
In order to update the appearance of existing cabinets in a cost-effective manner, it is recommended that they be refaced. This can be achieved by stripping the existing stain or paint and applying a new stain, varnish, or paint. In some cases, refinishing with a stick-on veneer may also be an appropriate solution.
📹 How I Updated My Oak Cabinets Without Paint by Using Briwax! Easy Budget Kitchen Makeover! Only $24
In this video, I show you how to update oak cabinets without paint by using Briwax! This is an easy and inexpensive DIY kitchen …
Thank you all for the support on this article! I’m a tiny YouTuber who simply wanted to share a frugal DIY project that worked well for my home. However, there have been a few concerns that aren’t mentioned in the article. Please read the notes below before deciding if this is right for you and your home. PLEASE NOTE 1. This is my personal experience. You may get different results. I’m not a professional. 2. Briwax has a VERY strong odor! 3. As others have pointed out, it does NOT work on wood that has a polyurethane finish to it. The Briwax will not stick. 4. I suggest trying it on the back of a cabinet door first to see if you get the results you want. 5. If you have specific questions, you can contact Briwax on their website: briwax.com/contact/
The Briwax really made the wood grain come out in the oak cabinets to give them a different look without painting them. To replace kitchen cabinets can be expensive and sometimes the cabinets that are in the kitchen are good quality and solid wood. I like the knobs and pull handles that you put on the cabinets. They give a more modern look to the cabinets. I like the new kitchen sink faucet too. A good use of money to update your kitchen without construction mess and spending thousands and thousands of dollars. Great job!
Guys, I got sucked in by this article. It doesn’t work if your cabinets have any finish whatsoever. This will NOT STAIN POLYURETHANE, it will only change the color if you sand off most of the finish. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but I tried it. Absolutely no change whatsoever (except to the worn areas) and I used BLACK!
Thanks for this. I have honey oak cabinets that I don’t love, and I’ve been trying to decide what to do with them. I can understand why a lot of people would really love this look, and I appreciate your posting this article… because it’s confirming that what I really hate about the cabinets is not so much the warm honey color, but the heavy distinctive oak grain. An update that highlights the grain would, I think, just make me hate them more. (This is my preference, y’all. Please don’t take it personally.) There’s no money in the budget for cabinet replacement and my early-2000s cabinets are pretty sturdy anyway. So I think I’m going to be filling the grain, sanding, priming, and painting — not that I’m looking forward to that, but I’m convinced it’s the way for me to go. Again, I really appreciate seeing what you’ve done with your cabinets because it’s been so helpful to me in knowing what I do and do not want.
Wow. Never heard of this product. Emily, this was amazing to see how you transformed your cabinets. Mine are about 40 years old and I’ve been wanting to find some way to brighten them up without a major paint project (not me doing it) or replacing. I found a article also on how to de-gunk them with Tire and Wheel Cleaner, so after I eventually do that, I just might give this a try. Thank you for sharing.
My experience with Briwax on golden/yellow oak cabinets: 1) Washed with drill brush (green) and dish soap then dried. 2) Scuffed with scuff pad and wiped down with microfiber cloth. 3) De-glossed (Krud Kutter) and dried with microfiber cloth. Let stand for 10 minutes. 4) Applied Briwax (Tudor brown as well) with caulk paint/wax brush. Let stand for 10 minutes. 5) Buffed out with microfiber cloth. This takes a lot of time. Labor intensive. Wood grain is very dark, the rest more brown/less yellow. 7/10, pretty good. I really appreciate the article.
I owe Emily a huge apology. I blamed the process and the product on my lack of success, when in reality it was my own inexperience and impatience that caused my poor result. I kept trying and finally got the hang of it! My results were not as good as Emily’s, but that is mainly because the finish on many of my cabinets was in pretty rough shape. But! On the areas where the finish was fairly intact, my results were good. I also used Dark Brown, as opposed to the Tudor Brown, and I think that was also an issue. The darker wax got into those places where the finished was trashed, and made those spots MUCH darker than the other areas. I think with the Tudor, the contrast would have been less obvious. Couple things I learned that gave me much better results – first, use the smallest amount of wax that you can. Second, don’t buff too hard! Gently, just enough to give it a nice luster. And third….if you really need to go over an area more than once, use a tiny amount of wax and just barely touch your previous coat. New wax dissolves old wax! I’ve done all the wood in the house (kitchen, 2 bathrooms, and a linen closet) on 1 and a half cans of Briwax. I think that if I were to do it again, I could probably do it in one can because I wasted a LOT. Emily, THANK YOU for this article….and don’t listen to idiots like me who blame you for their own incompetence, LOL.
Emily, I am literally blown away! We moved into our home three years ago and every time I walk into the kitchen, I contemplate painting the awful oak cabinets. I’ve seen a few articles on Pinterest about the briwax but not a lot of instruct or tutorials. This was exactly what I needed to convince me! I can’t wait, thank you!!! P.S. how many briwax containers did you go through during the project?
Very nice😊👌. I just barely finished our cabinets as well, they were the exact same color, same design. Only mine got painted grey with a light hint of blue. Now we’re getting ready to do epoxy on the countertops. I’m very nervous about that one😱. I’ve painted many cabinets before but never did counters lol. Ahhhhh…. 🙀🙀🙀🙀. We’ll see🤞
Hi Emily….. great project…… I just wanted to let you know, though, for future articles…… you don’t need to crank up your music when you are not talking………. it just forces the viewer to turn down the volume on your article and then back up and back down……. you should aim for a nice constant sound level whether talking or music. That is the key to not aggravating the viewer.
I’m currently gel staining a bathroom vanity and stopped to take a break & watch YouTube articles on cabinet staining. I also have the honey oak cabinets and have been wanting to stain my kitchen cabinets darker, but it’s a huge project for me & I’ve been a little nervous about doing it. I ran across your article and will definitely do the Briwax method for my kitchen. Great job on your update!! I love seeing other moms doing DIY projects! The feeling of accomplishment & seeing the results afterward are always so rewarding!! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing this. I’m so sick of the orange-ish hue on my oak cabs but have so many other projects to do I have put off doing something about them. I’m guessing this stuff would work on trim and doors, too!. p.s./I had that same laminate on the ends of my cabs, too, but I had my husband get some thin actual wood (comes in sheets) to install. Gave them a really nice touch.
After perusal other articles where colored wax was used to change the look of wood, I wondered if it would work to change the color of my “orangey” oak cabinets without having to sand. I googled that question and your article popped up. Not only was my life changed, but you have my exact kitchen!!!! I was able to learn how to execute exactly what I was hoping to be able to do with my cabinets, PLUS I already know what it will look like!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH for the time you spent making this article and giving others the confidence to see that, like you, we really can do most projects ourselves….we just need to be shown how.
This is very encouraging! I have the same orangy/yellow oak look and even though I picked it out almost 25 years ago, I am so over that look. Thanks for the tip on the smell and polyurethane finish…..I don’t think I will attempt this inside….as time consuming as it will be I think I should take all the fronts off and do it outside….I dread the work and time commitment….but I really think I should try what u did! Thanks 👍👍
Oh so happy to find this. My husband won’t paint or replace our 40 year old oak cabinets and they look horrible. I will try this in our bathroom first. My question is does it smell bad? I have asthma and sensory issues so need to know how strong an odor this has. If you doubt countertops I will be perusal or searching for that too. We need new ones and he won’t do that either. Thanks….
Wow I’ve been trying to make a decision to paint our 1950s maple cabinets. I like them but someone painted the ones across from them and were selling the house. The placement of these cabinets are not well thought out. Thankyou. I’ll match the briwax on the maple cabinets to the wooden pulls on the painted ones.
Yeah I think there is a bit more to it than that. My problem with my oak cabinets is I hate the grain oak has passionately. We actual filled the grain with wood filler diluted with water before priming and painting. Used an airless sprayer and wet sanded with 600 grit between the 4 coats of paint. They have a sheen from the semi gloss urethane alkyd enamel and no grain shows. They look gorgeous!
So interesting, we have this honey oak all over our house and hate it. Is there a way to know if there is polyeurothane on the cabinets? We actually met with a cabinet refacing company a few months ago but then found a few not so great reviews and got busy with other stuff. I’m guessing if I use this wax, it could interfere with what the refacing company does with the areas between the doors which they paint. But then of course our range exhaust vent which is an insert built into a wood cabinet doesn’t come in a high enough CFM rate to do the proper job when I’m cooking. Just the other day I was discussing with my husband what would be involved in removing that range hood cabinet to put in a better exhause, and my husband was like well maybe we should replace the all the kitchen cabinets but I don’t want to take on that level of project, and of course if I’m going to replace all the kitchen cabinets, then maybe we should be doing a full overall of the kitchen… Argh!
When drilling cabinets, run the drill in reverse right when you start the hole and right before you go through the back. The hole will be cleaner and not splinter. Also, you can get a wax brush for application that might be easier to use and use less product. Ive been a woodworker for a little bit of time, and these are things that help me, they might help you. Great article.
Wow looks great! Awesome idea! Q: Did your original cabinets have a gloss over them? And Q: this product is like a stain and wax so if you rubbed the cabinets with your hands (after cabinets are completely done) does the waxy stain transfer off onto your hand? Thanks! This is the easiest fastest way I’ve seen to get that updated look with your cabinets 🤗
I watched this article and ordered everything used. I had 1950 kitchen cabinets with useless brass ornate center pulls. Removed all 20 from drawers and cupboards. Cleaned, Bri wax ( used a paint brush), wood filler in two holes of each cupboard, added new modern bar handles to each corner and all drawers. Had hubby involved to drill holes. I can’t stop admiring our work. Cost me around $80.00 total and they look WONDERFUL! Thank you. The Brie wax soaked into worn areas around the corners of frequently used cupboards since the middle pulls were useless, making the cupboards look new. They are walnut, but I used the same color as you since they was out of the darkest color.
Wow! I can’t believe all of the unsolicited comments lately, Emily!! People seem to think their opinion is fact. Gotta love it 🤣 You did a great job. I do have a question. So my cabinets are from 2002, very similar to yours. But how did you know there was no finish on your cabinets? Most wood cabinets come with a finish, even if it’s mild. Mine do seem to have a satin sheen. But I can only gauge that with my eyes, of course. I’m just curious to how you knew yours had no existing finish.
Beautiful!❤. Wish I would have found this article earlier. We are rebuilding our cabinets, getting new sink and countertop so I’ve decided to revive my wood cabinets. I am using re-store and than wax so hopefully they turn out as beautiful as yours. I don’t think ours are sealed, a neighbor who was a carpenter made the fronts and doors for my parents 30+ years ago.
I have wooden Cabinets in my kitchen…. with old Fruit wallpaper..lol Dark grey countertops and center counter……which is horrible. I covered all counter surfaces with nice Peel and Stick Tiles. I’m painting a Graceful Blue over the wallpaper….and adding a Blue and White Pastoral Toile Backsplash. French Country is what I am going for. Baskets, Cutting boards, Wooden Spoons, Wooden Risers, Plants, Old Pasterol Prints etc….. I’m going to put curtains around the center counter too… It’s a project in progress…. but I am loving.
Love the job on your kitchen! It does look so much better! Great way to save time and money on cabinet re-do! I’m doing this now to using dark brown Briwax on our honey oak cabinets and love how it looks so far!!! I used liquid sand paper to strip laminate off (do not wipe in circles as instructions say or you will have circular patterns showing up after applying Briwax) I used rubbing alcohol to clean cabinets first. Vinegar is suppose to work well to clean cabinets too. (I’ll try that next). Wear a mask, gloves, and have ventilation. Smells goes away in about 2 hours. Good Luck 🍀
I bet if you scuff sanded that veneer around the window it would have taken the wax much better. Also, I’d use a liquid prep to remove the original clear coat so that the wax would apply better. Then I would seal everything with either a clear wax sealant or a clear spray coating. Wax applied correctly will eventually harden to a durable finish.
Thank you for not destroying your wood cabinets. If a person has the budget I’d use modern finishes (dark counters, contrasting backsplash and flooring and black stainless steel appliances rather than ruin natural oak cabinets with paint. That really sets golden oak cabinets off and modernizes the look.
It looks great! I would love to do this, but only my cabinet doors are actual stainable, waxable wood. The boards the doors hang in are just particle board with basically a wallpaper with wood print. It’s the same on the sides of the cabinets and the island. There’s just too much of that type of stuff. Sometimes I consider just painting all those areas, like black, or grey or something, and then staining the doors. It’s rough being a renter and a homemaker.
Great article, this is exactly what I’m hoping to do with mine so I’m glad it was recommended. I find it funny that you say “update” since I’m wanting to actually “downdate” mine to look more antique, which I feel is sort of what you accomplished, which is a good thing. It really shows the wood grain better. I’m glad you even mentioned the laminate piece on the side which I have as well and it looks like that piece turned out fine for you.
Looks very nice & What a difference! Wish I could have done that. But Unfortunately the old original kitchen cabinets that were in the condo I purchased recently were not in good enough condition to even think about this kind of technique. So for me the next best thing was to just do a reno by having my cabinets refaced.
I had white cabinets, then installed oak just like these. Later moved to a house with white cabinets (again) and have had them for 30 years. Believe it or not, both were easy to care for, even with kids. This technique is a great option to revitalize tired looking cabinets without costly renovations. Thank you for sharing!
I’ve always used Old English. Started out using the light color with lemon oil, then found the OE for dark woods. I liked the way it turned out, but am so excited to try the Briwax. With it getting warmer weather though, I may need to wait till fall. I love the black knobs you used!! I have black appliances & sink so it would really be an awesome update. God Bless you for sharing this; you’ve helped many 🥰
Great job. I have the same golden oak cabinets in my bathroom. Being a child of the 80’s I don’t mind the color, but have some areas where the finish has worn off, with the grey ( oxidized?) wood shows. Did you have any areas where the old finish was worn, and did these areas take the new finish differently?
Last year, I actually purchased the same color of Briwax for the same type of 90’s era cabinets. I tried it on one cabinet and didn’t really notice a difference, it also had a very strong smell. So I never followed thru. Painting them is really not inspiring to me so I was seeking out other options when I came across your article. Now I’m inspired again! It’s possible I didn’t apply enough, as I was trying to be safe. So I will try it again on a day when I can open all the windows. Thank you for posting and sharing your process! The only caveat would be that mineral spirits or paint thinner is the only way to remove it, if needed.