Help with kitchen cabinets?

Question

What can I do to update kitchen cabinets. They are old, and the wood is really dark colored. I need inexpensive ideas please.

Answer 1

Old and dark pretty much limits you to caulk and paint.  If they are old and light, you can stain over them with a darker color.

Answer 2

You can paint the base units and replace only the doors and drawers for alot less.

Answer 3

I have a website http://livelovelaughdesign.blogspot.com/

my next article will be on cabinets and storage in the kitchen,

check it out by saturday it should be up.

Answer 4

clean them REALLY well.  go the lowes paint department and ask them for suggestions (there's a cleaner that works excellent but can't recall the name).  if painting the cabinets remove them and the hardware.  sand everything w/ a fine-medium grit.  prime...if painting them a medium to dark color (including red) use gray primer.  otherwise white should be fine.  after that's dry paint w/ a satin or semi-gloss paint.  don't use flat paint as they'll look dirty and show fingerprints.  update w/ new hardware.  check out lowes selection then go on ebay and find what you want much cheaper. check the measurements against your current holes to make sure you're getting what you need.  good luck!

Answer 5

You can "antique" them.  Pick a light color for the base, (like cream or white or a soft yellow)  then apply an ink wash ( wiping on a darker colored ink or stain with a rag to create streaks)

I did mine with cream and dark blue, it looked fabulous!

Another suggestion would be to paint, then stencil a border or decoration on the door.  New hardware can make a big difference too!

Good luck!