How to revamp kitchen units without replacing them

Replacing kitchen units can be notoriously expensive, not to mention all the hassle, disruption and mess that goes hand in hand with installing new ones.

The good news is that existing kitchen cabinets don’t need to be replaced, as with a little know-how, creativity, and flair, they can look as good as new for a fraction of the cost.

Take a look at the following tips on how to revamp kitchen units without replacing them.

Paint them!

One of the most obvious, effective, and inexpensive ways to breathe new life into existing units is to paint them. If your kitchen is on the dark side and lacks natural light, paint over darker cabinets with a brighter, lighter tone.

Bright white kitchen cabinets craft a clean, hygienic look, while radiating sophistication and style. Opting for a high gloss white paint will make the cabinets easier to wipe down and clean.

Create a distressed look

For a rustic, farmhouse style kitchen, creating a deliberately ‘stressed’ look can transform the overall look of the kitchen and bring it into the 21^st century without having to re-mortgage your home.

Destressed-style kitchens never seem to go out of fashion and are always trending on the likes of Instagram and Pinterest.

Kitchen cabinets can be ‘distressed’ fairly easily, involving little more than strategically sanding the paint off the cabinets and spatting a different colour paint or paints on the surface. When the paint is dry, the cabinets can be distressed by giving them a light sanding to reveal the colours underneath, so the finish is made up of layered colours for a beaten-up, worn-out look.

Reface old cabinets

You might be surprised at the impact and cost saving benefits a little veneer and some new doors will have an on ageing kitchen. Some manufacturers offer peel-and-stick veneer to make the job even easier. Be sure to measure the cabinets carefully before cutting the veneer. Once you’ve mastered the challenge, you’ll have a brand-new looking kitchen without the eye-watering expense.

Install undercabinet lighting

Lighting plays a vital role, not only in the functionality of a kitchen, but in the overall style and look. You may be surprised at the impact installed undercabinet lighting will have on your kitchen.

Undercabinet lighting is fairly easy to fit beneath upper wall cabinets. In bathing worktops in a soothing light, this type of lighting will have a dramatic impact on a kitchen, not to mention make reading recipes significantly easier.