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10 Ways to Totally Transform Your Kitchen Cabinets Without Replacing Them
If you’re looking to update your kitchen cabinets but don’t have the bandwidth (or flush bank account) to outright replace them, there are some more frugal options. With a little bit of creativity, preplanning and elbow grease, you can give your cabinets a facelift without too much hassle.
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Light it Up
1/10Light it Up
1/10Photo Credit: Behr: Optimum Blue M540-7, Polar Bear 75, Classic Silver PPU18-11, Buzz-In P300-6
Installing under cabinet lighting doesn’t take too long and doesn’t cost a fortune, but the benefits of adding these little lights are huge. Not only does it make chopping or reading a recipe that much easier, but they also add an attractive atmospheric glow to the room.<br><br>Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/paint/photos/top-kitchen-colour-trends-2019-1926435/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">10 Kitchen Colour Trends You’ll Want to Know About in 2019</a>Paint10 Ways to Totally Transform Your Kitchen Cabinets Without Replacing ThemLight it Up
PHOTO 1 of 10READ LESS -Installing under cabinet lighting doesn’t take too long and doesn’t cost a fortune, but the benefits of adding these little lights are huge. Not only does it make chopping or reading a recipe that much easier, but they also add an attractive atmospheric glow to the room.<br><br>Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/paint/photos/top-kitchen-colour-trends-2019-1926435/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">10 Kitchen Colour Trends You’ll Want to Know About in 2019</a>Photo Credit: Behr: Optimum Blue M540-7, Polar Bear 75, Classic Silver PPU18-11, Buzz-In P300-6
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Match Point
2/10Match Point
2/10Photo Credit: Behr: Dressed To Impress MQ1-19, Minimalistic PPU25-12, Mined Coal PPU18-18
If you have an open-concept living space, consider creating cohesiveness by matching the colour of your cabinets to an accent wall. The oxblood shade of <a href="https://www.behr.ca/consumer/products/interior-paint-and-primer/behr-marquee-interior/behr-marquee-matte" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BEHR MARQUEE® Interior Matte</a> in <a href="https://www.behr.ca/consumer/ColorDetailView/MQ1-19" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BEHR Dressed To Impress</a> (MQ1-19) certainly makes a statement.Paint10 Ways to Totally Transform Your Kitchen Cabinets Without Replacing ThemMatch Point
PHOTO 2 of 10READ LESS -If you have an open-concept living space, consider creating cohesiveness by matching the colour of your cabinets to an accent wall. The oxblood shade of <a href="https://www.behr.ca/consumer/products/interior-paint-and-primer/behr-marquee-interior/behr-marquee-matte" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BEHR MARQUEE® Interior Matte</a> in <a href="https://www.behr.ca/consumer/ColorDetailView/MQ1-19" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BEHR Dressed To Impress</a> (MQ1-19) certainly makes a statement.Photo Credit: Behr: Dressed To Impress MQ1-19, Minimalistic PPU25-12, Mined Coal PPU18-18
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Don’t Break the Mould
3/10Don’t Break the Mould
3/10Photo Credit: Behr: Harmonious Gold M300-3, Ultra Pure White 1850
To add a layer of interest to simple white shaker cabinets, install crown mouldings along the top. They’ll instantly make a kitchen feel more traditional.Paint10 Ways to Totally Transform Your Kitchen Cabinets Without Replacing ThemDon’t Break the Mould
PHOTO 3 of 10READ LESS -To add a layer of interest to simple white shaker cabinets, install crown mouldings along the top. They’ll instantly make a kitchen feel more traditional.Photo Credit: Behr: Harmonious Gold M300-3, Ultra Pure White 1850
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Black Magic
4/10Black Magic
4/10Photo Credit: Behr: Free Green M420-5, Carbon N520-7, Painter's White PPU18-08
Since black paint would cover up any other original cabinet colour with fewer coats, opting for a chic, high-gloss black paint (<a href="https://www.behr.ca/consumer/ColorDetailView/N520-7" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BEHR Carbon N520-7</a>) is a time (and paint) saver. <a href="https://www.behr.ca/consumer/products/interior-paint-and-primer/premium-plus-ultra-interior/premium-plus-ultra-interior-hi-gloss" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BEHR ULTRA® Interior Hi-Gloss Enamel</a> is ideal for high-use surfaces (read: kitchen cabinets).Paint10 Ways to Totally Transform Your Kitchen Cabinets Without Replacing ThemBlack Magic
PHOTO 4 of 10READ LESS -Since black paint would cover up any other original cabinet colour with fewer coats, opting for a chic, high-gloss black paint (<a href="https://www.behr.ca/consumer/ColorDetailView/N520-7" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BEHR Carbon N520-7</a>) is a time (and paint) saver. <a href="https://www.behr.ca/consumer/products/interior-paint-and-primer/premium-plus-ultra-interior/premium-plus-ultra-interior-hi-gloss" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BEHR ULTRA® Interior Hi-Gloss Enamel</a> is ideal for high-use surfaces (read: kitchen cabinets).Photo Credit: Behr: Free Green M420-5, Carbon N520-7, Painter's White PPU18-08
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Open Up
5/10Open Up
5/10Photo Credit: Behr: Intercoastal Gray MQ5-23, Polar Bear 75, Silky White PPU7-12
If you’ve been dreaming about adding another set of cabinets to an empty wall in the kitchen, but haven’t been able to stomach the price, shelf it (literally). Adding a couple of open shelves provides that extra storage without a massive install.Paint10 Ways to Totally Transform Your Kitchen Cabinets Without Replacing ThemOpen Up
PHOTO 5 of 10READ LESS -If you’ve been dreaming about adding another set of cabinets to an empty wall in the kitchen, but haven’t been able to stomach the price, shelf it (literally). Adding a couple of open shelves provides that extra storage without a massive install.Photo Credit: Behr: Intercoastal Gray MQ5-23, Polar Bear 75, Silky White PPU7-12
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Stain Remover
6/10Stain Remover
6/10Photo Credit: Behr: Mushroom Bisque PPU4-07, Mocha Latte PPU5-04, Ultra Pure White 1850, Extreme S530-6
If your wood-face cabinets are in good shape, but the stain colour is feeling a little tired, consider restaining them yourself in a more modern finish. With a good stain stripper, the job could be done in a day.Paint10 Ways to Totally Transform Your Kitchen Cabinets Without Replacing ThemStain Remover
PHOTO 6 of 10READ LESS -If your wood-face cabinets are in good shape, but the stain colour is feeling a little tired, consider restaining them yourself in a more modern finish. With a good stain stripper, the job could be done in a day.Photo Credit: Behr: Mushroom Bisque PPU4-07, Mocha Latte PPU5-04, Ultra Pure White 1850, Extreme S530-6
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Hard Wear
7/10Hard Wear
7/10Photo Credit: Behr: Hayloft MQ2-22, Swiss Coffee 12
One of the easiest, but most effective ways to update kitchen cabinets is to switch out the hardware. Black handles are en vogue right now but there’s a whole bevy of options, from matte gold to hand-painted ceramic pulls.Paint10 Ways to Totally Transform Your Kitchen Cabinets Without Replacing ThemHard Wear
PHOTO 7 of 10READ LESS -One of the easiest, but most effective ways to update kitchen cabinets is to switch out the hardware. Black handles are en vogue right now but there’s a whole bevy of options, from matte gold to hand-painted ceramic pulls.Photo Credit: Behr: Hayloft MQ2-22, Swiss Coffee 12
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Chalk it up to Chalk Paint
8/10Chalk it up to Chalk Paint
8/10Photo Credit: Behr: Fresh Artichoke M340-5, Digital N530-6, Eon N370-2
The beauty of <a href="https://www.behr.ca/consumer/products/decorative-finishes/chalk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BEHR® Chalk Decorative Paint</a> is that very little prep is needed to get a smooth matte effect. Painting a small set of upper cabinets in a <a href="https://www.behr.ca/consumer/ColorDetailView/N530-6" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">chic smoky grey</a> would only take a couple of hours, but still get you big results. Make use of Behr’s custom colour-matching service and mix up a can with a colour from their broader range, such as <a href="https://www.behr.ca/consumer/ColorDetailView/N530-6" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BEHR Digital N530-6</a>.Paint10 Ways to Totally Transform Your Kitchen Cabinets Without Replacing ThemChalk it up to Chalk Paint
PHOTO 8 of 10READ LESS -The beauty of <a href="https://www.behr.ca/consumer/products/decorative-finishes/chalk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BEHR® Chalk Decorative Paint</a> is that very little prep is needed to get a smooth matte effect. Painting a small set of upper cabinets in a <a href="https://www.behr.ca/consumer/ColorDetailView/N530-6" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">chic smoky grey</a> would only take a couple of hours, but still get you big results. Make use of Behr’s custom colour-matching service and mix up a can with a colour from their broader range, such as <a href="https://www.behr.ca/consumer/ColorDetailView/N530-6" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BEHR Digital N530-6</a>.Photo Credit: Behr: Fresh Artichoke M340-5, Digital N530-6, Eon N370-2
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Upper the Ante
9/10Upper the Ante
9/10Photo Credit: Behr: Silky White PPU7-12, Rainy Season MQ5-27
Rather than kitting out the kitchen with a <em>whole</em> set of new cabinets, opt for adding half of one. Installing new upper cabinets that tie in with the original set provides more storage and unifies the kitchen design.Paint10 Ways to Totally Transform Your Kitchen Cabinets Without Replacing ThemUpper the Ante
PHOTO 9 of 10READ LESS -Rather than kitting out the kitchen with a <em>whole</em> set of new cabinets, opt for adding half of one. Installing new upper cabinets that tie in with the original set provides more storage and unifies the kitchen design.Photo Credit: Behr: Silky White PPU7-12, Rainy Season MQ5-27
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Bold Colour
10/10Bold Colour
10/10Photo Credit: Behr: Raffia Ribbon PPU7-20, Cameo White MQ3-32, Nypd N480-6
While some would baulk at moving away from neutrals in the kitchen, bold-coloured cabinets are right on trend for 2019. A gritty grey-blue, a bright sunshine-yellow or even emerald green: this year, anything goes.Paint10 Ways to Totally Transform Your Kitchen Cabinets Without Replacing ThemBold Colour
PHOTO 10 of 10READ LESS -While some would baulk at moving away from neutrals in the kitchen, bold-coloured cabinets are right on trend for 2019. A gritty grey-blue, a bright sunshine-yellow or even emerald green: this year, anything goes.Photo Credit: Behr: Raffia Ribbon PPU7-20, Cameo White MQ3-32, Nypd N480-6
