15 Low-Effort, High-Impact Updates for Kitchen Cupboards
The simplest of changes can be all it takes to give your kitchen a whole new and exciting look
This much-used room of the house can date faster than you can say, “What was I thinking when I chose that for my kitchen?” But the good news is that giving cupboards a face lift can be all that’s needed to turn your kitchen from ho-hum to heavenly.
Here are some ideas for inspiration.
Here are some ideas for inspiration.
2. Add a drinks fridge
If you entertain friends and family at home with any sort of frequency, you’ll know about the challenge of having people traipse through the kitchen looking for a top-up while you’re trying to cook or clean up. An under-island fridge such as this one makes drinks accessible and will add an up-to-the-minute edge to any kitchen.
If you entertain friends and family at home with any sort of frequency, you’ll know about the challenge of having people traipse through the kitchen looking for a top-up while you’re trying to cook or clean up. An under-island fridge such as this one makes drinks accessible and will add an up-to-the-minute edge to any kitchen.
3. Step back in time
Wear and tear can take their toll on cupboard finishes and hardware to the point that some are simply beyond repair. This cottage-style kitchen makes use of floaty fabric, lace and gingham to add old-fashioned flair where the cupboard door used to be. Easy.
Wear and tear can take their toll on cupboard finishes and hardware to the point that some are simply beyond repair. This cottage-style kitchen makes use of floaty fabric, lace and gingham to add old-fashioned flair where the cupboard door used to be. Easy.
4. Consider shelves
Open shelving is a trend that’s taking kitchens by storm, but if you don’t like the idea of shelves above your kitchen benchtop, think about how they could be incorporated underneath. Using shelves in a kitchen island can work to connect the living or dining area with the kitchen in an open-plan space. If the dining area is right next to your kitchen, open shelving could be the place for salt and pepper, placemats and other tableware that would otherwise clutter up your kitchen cupboards.
Open shelving is a trend that’s taking kitchens by storm, but if you don’t like the idea of shelves above your kitchen benchtop, think about how they could be incorporated underneath. Using shelves in a kitchen island can work to connect the living or dining area with the kitchen in an open-plan space. If the dining area is right next to your kitchen, open shelving could be the place for salt and pepper, placemats and other tableware that would otherwise clutter up your kitchen cupboards.
5. See through it
Semi-transparent cupboards and drawers can add interest and modernise a kitchen. Breaking up an expanse of the same colour adds an unexpected edge that could be just the thing your kitchen is missing.
Semi-transparent cupboards and drawers can add interest and modernise a kitchen. Breaking up an expanse of the same colour adds an unexpected edge that could be just the thing your kitchen is missing.
6. Disguise the dishwasher
Dishwashers may make life easier, but they can interrupt the visual flow in an otherwise beautiful kitchen. A cabinet maker can advise on the best way to make your dishwasher blend in with existing cabinetry and it may be cheaper than you think.
Dishwashers may make life easier, but they can interrupt the visual flow in an otherwise beautiful kitchen. A cabinet maker can advise on the best way to make your dishwasher blend in with existing cabinetry and it may be cheaper than you think.
7. Replace the handles
This beach house kitchen would lose some of its appeal without those eye-catching starfish handles. Give your kitchen a theme with quirky handles or update its look with some sleek, new additions.
This beach house kitchen would lose some of its appeal without those eye-catching starfish handles. Give your kitchen a theme with quirky handles or update its look with some sleek, new additions.
8. Brighten it up
This gorgeous blue creates a dramatic impact. Switching from a plain timber or neutral tone to a colour as irresistible as this can turn a dowdy kitchen into one you can’t help but want to show off. Echo the colour elsewhere in the space if it’s part of an open plan. The decorative blue items in the shelves facing this kitchen tie the two spaces together.
This gorgeous blue creates a dramatic impact. Switching from a plain timber or neutral tone to a colour as irresistible as this can turn a dowdy kitchen into one you can’t help but want to show off. Echo the colour elsewhere in the space if it’s part of an open plan. The decorative blue items in the shelves facing this kitchen tie the two spaces together.
9. Go without handles
Smooth-fronted cupboards and drawers without visible handles mean your eye flows from one end to the other without distraction. In a streamlined kitchen, such as this, the appliances will be the attention getters.
Smooth-fronted cupboards and drawers without visible handles mean your eye flows from one end to the other without distraction. In a streamlined kitchen, such as this, the appliances will be the attention getters.
10. Dare to be different
This happy, bright red kitchen is nothing if not eye-catching. Be bold in your colour choice if you really want to transform your kitchen – you’ll never know what it could look like if you don’t give it a go. Painting cupboards again is always an option if you get sick of it or feel like a change down the track.
This happy, bright red kitchen is nothing if not eye-catching. Be bold in your colour choice if you really want to transform your kitchen – you’ll never know what it could look like if you don’t give it a go. Painting cupboards again is always an option if you get sick of it or feel like a change down the track.
11. Make use of glass
Replacing your kitchen’s upper cupboard doors with glass can turn them into display cases for all your favourite kitchenware. Whether you choose an all-white theme as in this kitchen, or go for a more eclectic look with a variety of colours is up to you.
Replacing your kitchen’s upper cupboard doors with glass can turn them into display cases for all your favourite kitchenware. Whether you choose an all-white theme as in this kitchen, or go for a more eclectic look with a variety of colours is up to you.
12. Replace cupboards with shelving
Instead of cabinets high on the walls, this kitchen’s open shelving with decorative brackets adds both personality and extra storage capacity. Use shelves to display vases, glasses and utenils, or whatever it is you reach for most often when you’re cooking.
Instead of cabinets high on the walls, this kitchen’s open shelving with decorative brackets adds both personality and extra storage capacity. Use shelves to display vases, glasses and utenils, or whatever it is you reach for most often when you’re cooking.
13. Go for drama
Can you imagine what a different effect this kitchen would have with off-white cupboards? Black adds theatrical impact to kitchens and pairs well with stainless steel. And this kitchen’s white walls and abundant light means the black isn’t overpowering.
Can you imagine what a different effect this kitchen would have with off-white cupboards? Black adds theatrical impact to kitchens and pairs well with stainless steel. And this kitchen’s white walls and abundant light means the black isn’t overpowering.
15. Add some age
Taking to the raised edges of your cupboard doors with some fine sandpaper to lightly distress them will give the kitchen that worn-in look that makes a house feel like a home. Guests won’t be able to quite put their finger on what’s different about your kitchen; it will just look and feel delightful.
Taking to the raised edges of your cupboard doors with some fine sandpaper to lightly distress them will give the kitchen that worn-in look that makes a house feel like a home. Guests won’t be able to quite put their finger on what’s different about your kitchen; it will just look and feel delightful.
Mismatched cabinets are a popular way to modernise and inject a little pizzazz, no matter what your kitchen style. Painting the island cabinets a bold hue and leaving the rest neutral turns the island into an eye-catching centrepiece.