Budget Kitchen Hack: Remove Doors on Cabinets for Instant Open Shelving
Make over your kitchen in a snap by ditching the doors on your kitchen cabinets ... even if you're renting
There’s no need to empty your savings account to renovate your kitchen, when simply removing the doors on your upper cabinet doors can bring it back to life. Even renters can transform their bland kitchen into a lovely and liveable cooking zone; the doors can simply be replaced when you move out. These tips and tricks will show you how to make the most of your open cabinets – just don’t be surprised if you find yourself reaching for the screwdriver to do the same at your house before the day is out.
Taking off the doors is one thing, but why not take it a step further and fancy up the interiors?
Blogger Brittany Bailey of Pretty Handy Girl used damask fabric to give her kitchen a bright new look. Bailey advises giving the cabinets a good clean once the doors have been removed, and painting the insides if necessary. She measured the backs of these cabinets before cutting out foam board to the same size. Bailey then taped fabric to the foam board and pushed each board to the back of the cabinets. If you get your measurements right, no screwing, taping or gluing will be required to keep them in place.
Blogger Brittany Bailey of Pretty Handy Girl used damask fabric to give her kitchen a bright new look. Bailey advises giving the cabinets a good clean once the doors have been removed, and painting the insides if necessary. She measured the backs of these cabinets before cutting out foam board to the same size. Bailey then taped fabric to the foam board and pushed each board to the back of the cabinets. If you get your measurements right, no screwing, taping or gluing will be required to keep them in place.
A lick of paint is enough to transform even the daggiest of kitchens. “For kitchens that can’t be changed too much, I take upper cupboard doors off, paint the insides a dramatic colour and style everything like crazy,” says Houzz New Zealand writer Catherine Smith. “I’ve done that for practically every friend and relative I’ve helped move house.”
TIP: Add hanging rods, racks, shelves or hooks for pots and pans and to create extra storage.
TIP: Add hanging rods, racks, shelves or hooks for pots and pans and to create extra storage.
This is what the kitchen looked like before the transformation!
Coordinating the new paint colour with kitchen stools, appliances or accessories – or all of the above – can be a nice touch.
TIP: Instead of paint, use wallpaper to bring colour and life to cabinet interiors, or paint and install beadboard (grooved panelling) to the backs of cabinets to add extra character.
TIP: Instead of paint, use wallpaper to bring colour and life to cabinet interiors, or paint and install beadboard (grooved panelling) to the backs of cabinets to add extra character.
If you’re not sure where to start, begin by unscrewing the hinges from the bottom first. The very top screw should be the last one you remove.
TIP: Place all removed screws into a labelled plastic bag and tape the bag to the doors for storage in case you want to replace them later.
Rental-friendly hacks for a homey kitchen
TIP: Place all removed screws into a labelled plastic bag and tape the bag to the doors for storage in case you want to replace them later.
Rental-friendly hacks for a homey kitchen
Fill any holes with putty and, when dry, give them a quick sand and touch up the sanded areas with paint. There, you’re done.
Styling the contents of your now open shelving will pay off if you want to give your kitchen a polished look. Coordinating items by type and colour is a good place to start.
And don’t be afraid to try the same trick with some of your lower cabinets. But be warned: once you start removing doors, you may not be able to stop.
YOUR TURN
Have you tried this trick at your house? We’d love to see the results! Post a pic in the Comments below.
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Browse eclectic kitchen ideas
YOUR TURN
Have you tried this trick at your house? We’d love to see the results! Post a pic in the Comments below.
MORE
Browse eclectic kitchen ideas
TIP: Removing cabinet doors is the path to take if you’d love cabinets with glass doors, but your budget doesn’t quite stretch that far.
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