Updating your kitchen cabinets: A how to guide

Your kitchen may be looking less than fresh, but renovating the whole thing is costly and very inconvenient. Replacing or renovating your kitchen cabinets can refresh the look of the whole room, as well as improving the functional storage space.

How to update your kitchen cabinets

Updating your kitchen cabinets is a DIY job that can be done by anyone with a bit of know how, some basic tools and someone to help out. Plan first!

• Work out your budget as accurately as you can. Allowing about 10% for a contingency fund is usually a good idea
• Once you have the budget, you can decide on the changes you want - from entirely new cabinets professionally installed, to simply re detailing them yourself for a fresh look
• Choose new materials on the basis of your budget, their ease of installation, and your kitchen's practical needs
• Consult the list of possibilities below to help you decide on what your cabinets need

Whether your kitchen cabinets need replacing or simply revitalising, giving them a facelift is something that most people can do themselves.

Revitalising your kitchen cabinets

Some options for revitalising your cabinets without totally replacing them include:

• Paint! Choose a colour that complements the rest of your kitchen (either one that blends in or one that creates contrast and a point of interest) and get to it! Remember to protect floors with a sheet, and consider gloss paint for a retro look and longevity
• Replacing fittings like hinges and handles can make a world of difference. Have an assistant on hand to hang hinges to ensure they are straight. Looks vary from sleek modern silver to antique, or retro
• Add mouldings. Wooden trim can be purchased from your hardware shop, and attached using wood glue and nails. Integrate the new mouldings by caulking the gaps, then covering with two coats of paint. Paint the entire cabinet door at the same time to ensure the finish looks integrated
• Poorly hanging or shutting doors may just need a screw on the hinges tightened, or the door rehung to straighten it. Fill old holes with white glue and toothpicks planed flush when dry, then re-drilled
• Drawers that don't shut properly can be mended by reattaching the drawer's glide. Remove the glide carefully from under the drawer, carefully measure, and re attach with wood glue and screws

A simple repaint, rehanging of poorly shutting doors or attaching of some decorative mouldings can entirely change the look and utility of your kitchen cabinets.

Updating your kitchen cabinets

The easiest and cheapest way of revitalising your kitchen may simply be to give your kitchen cabinets a facelift. Replacing doors or fittings, repairing or replacing hinges, adding decorative mouldings or simply repainting the lot with a fresh colour can be all that's needed, and they are all easy for anyone to do.