thanks Austere, we costed custom cut new door fronts and hinges and it will set us back about $3k, which is a lot more tolerable than $25-40k.

we think it was a custom job because the original owner was also the builder, so he did everything himself. In the case of the kitchen, its not just the widths that are non standard, but the heights are way off (about 100mm or more higher than standard kitchen benches. hence why if we start fiddling with the cabinets themselves, its a full gut job on the kitchen.

$3000 for new doors sound like a bargain but if that doesn't include installation i would strongly recommend that you invest in professional installation (at a fixed price) as replacing old hinges can be very challenging for the inexperienced and we've patched a 40 year old kitchen with very thin sheets of melamine placed over damaged shelves, renewed sagging doors by filling up old screw holes and tightened hinges, replaced damaged edges using a roll of iron on edge stripping tape but, the minor damage on your edges and the backless cabinets could easily be disguised with some paint but i have say that our now patched kitchen was designed and built for an architect, various other kitchen we've built or renovated and my newest kitchen also custom made at very high cost have all been made out of a variation of a laminated board ..luckily you love the "very expensive to replace" counters but i would also consider investing in new kickboards to get rid of the quad edges around the floor and a better location for your microwave..and look forward to seeing your results

I'd be inclined if it was me to live with it longer while saving you do the whole kitchen.
I think replacing doors really only works if carcasses, layout and everything else is great. Given that there are some structural issues I don't think the cosmetic fix is worth it.
There looks to be minimal useable bench space so I would question whether it's the best layout for you as well.

You need to also replace kickboard and any visible parts of frame such as around microwave if you change colour. If you are going black doors could try painting the bits and grabbing a aluminium look kickboard from Bunnings.
Get the installer to change the edge strip on the shelf

Bunnings have iron on melamin3 edge strip $10. Try it yourself.

Wow Kate. Game changing! ThAts our pantry!

You seem to have a lot of cupboards, where draws would be the go now. I have struggled with the same problem. The price of kitchens r crazy.
I think if u spend a few thousand it would be wasted, you won’t be happy with the end result and will have to do it over.
The kitchen does seem too damaged..
Go new I think.
Don’t spend any more, live with it until..$$

Adding aluminium kickboard as Kate suggested would look great, does your microwave fit under your shelves, de clutter bench tops, restyle shelves, there are companies that replace cupboard doors , from your photos it looks like a nice kitchen, why not repair faults as oklouise suggested, , restyle, step back and look again, you might be surprised.

To me , the door fronts look okay , even the handles in black suit , there is a bit of character in the relief lines , and the white , grey and black works .

I'd remove the handles , sand any imperfections , repaint in white , as others have said maybe go for new skirting/kickboard ( or paint in black/charcoal ) , and personally I'd go warmer and more colourful with the 2 blinds -- go an apricot or light red or teal or whatever blends into the rest of your house if you are timid ; bright colour if you want to stand out !

Hi, I would

1. add a wood square to cover the cut out detail and make shaker style.

2. remove laminate covering with heat gun

3. repaint doors black bottom white top.

4. replace doors handles with squarish shaped matt black running horizonally,

5. paint insides, dowel and inside all white, get some iron on tape to fix the edges.

Cheers Julie.,

$3000 for new doors definitely sounds like a bargain, especially being custom cut, the boards for your job alone should cost more so they aren't making anything cutting up your job. Jump on that bargain just make sure you know exactly what your buying. The drawers under the oven with the handles hanging vertically look so weird.

I would save the money and get a new kitchen so you can at least have an appliance garage to house all the small appliances and they have their own plugs. Also can rearrange the cabinets to suit your needs if they are not functioning.

Push to open would look good or you could just cut an angle in the top of the doors for a fingerpull effect. Push catchers do wear over time especially if you have kids who like to play around with those types of doors.