10 DIY Projects for Your Cabinet Doors

The holidays can be a great time to work on DIY projects, as many people have time off work. DIY projects are typically cheaper than most home improvement projects. This is because you will be doing most, if not all, of the work and these DIY ideas do not require a lot of material or upfront cost.

In this article, we are going to take a look at 10 DIY projects you can do to give your kitchen a new look for the new year. These projects range from a few hours to a couple of days. However, these should all be projects that can be accomplished with a little bit of research and effort.

Disclaimer: This blog post contains affiliate links and we may receive a small commission for purchases made. These are products we highly recommend.

1. Paint Your Cabinets

One of the quickest and easiest ways to completely change your kitchen is to paint your cabinet doors a new color. Bright whites are always a great choice, as these colors will help your cabinet doors reflect light throughout the room. If you are looking for a trendy direction, two-tone kitchen cabinets are a great way to create stunning and unique spaces. To paint your cabinet doors, follow these steps:

1. Remove the cabinet door.
2. Remove any dirt and grease with trisodium phosphate (TSP), and sand away any nicks and cracks.
3. Prime your cabinets and let them dry.
4. Paint your cabinets.

2. Wallpaper Your Cabinet Doors

Instead of painting, you can use  wallpaper to decorate your cabinets. With the wide variety of styles available, you will have no problem finding the right fit for your kitchen design. Whether you choose a retro vibe or a trendy modern color, you can add wallpaper to your cabinet doors by following these steps:

1. Paint your doors with a semi gloss interior latex paint and let it dry.
2. Cut a piece of wallpaper to fit the recessed panel of your cabinet door.
3. Apply a spray adhesive to the back of the wallpaper. Carefully smooth it onto the recessed panel.
4. You can now use a paintbrush to apply a thin coat of decoupage medium over both the wallpaper and the rest of the door.

3. Add A Beautiful Cabinet Door Trim

If you are looking to elevate your kitchen design, then you should consider adding trim to your cabinet doors. Pieces of trim can be purchased at your local hardware store, and you can then cut it to size. To add trim to your cabinet doors, you will need to do the following:

• Measure your cabinet doors to determine how much trim you'll need.
• Use a miter box to cut your trim strips to size.
• Paint the cabinets and trim the same color and then let it dry.
• Use wood glue to glue the trim to the cabinet and clamp it in place. Let the glue dry.

4. Remove Your Cabinet Doors

Instead of adding something to your cabinet doors, try removing your kitchen cabinet doors. This can help your space feel larger, since you will extend the sight-lines. If you do choose to remove your cabinet doors, you will want to be sure to keep the inside of your cabinets clean. Pair this project with painting the inside and outside of your cabinet boxes to enhance this transformation.

5. Personalize Your Cabinets

Stencils can be an innovative way to add personal elements to your kitchen design. One example of this is to use a monogram stencil with some paint on select cabinet doors. There are a wide variety of stencils available that can be repurposed for your cabinets, so creating a unique kitchen design won’t be difficult.

6. Get Creative With Cork

If you are constantly running out of space to hang cards and recipes on your refrigerator, then you might consider adding a cork panel to a couple of your cabinet doors. Adding cork can create a bulletin board for your home, which can help organize a chaotic household. In addition, adding cork is also an easy and cheap way to cover up any imperfections on your cabinet doors. To add cork to your cabinets, follow these steps:

• Remove the cabinet doors and measure the door face.
• Cut the cork according to measurements.
• Use wood glue to glue the cork to the cabinet door face and clamp it in place.
• Let the glue dry.

7. Add Wire to Cabinet Doors

If you are looking to add an industrial feel to your kitchen, then you should consider replacing your cabinet door panels with chicken wire. Adding chicken wire to your cabinets will have a similar effect to removing the doors or adding glass panels, which is to extend the sight-lines in your kitchen. You can also use clips to hang pictures or recipes on the chicken wire, which can be another great opportunity for your creative expression. To add chicken wire to your cabinet doors, you will need to do the following:

• Remove the door face.
• Replace it with chicken wire cut to size.
• You can attach the chicken wire with a staple gun.

8. Add Unique Hardware

One project you can accomplish in an afternoon is replacing your kitchen cabinet hardware. Adding the right hardware to your kitchen cabinet doors and drawer fronts can be a great way to make your design come to life. One trend we are seeing, and loving, with kitchen hardware is the pairing of matte black knobs and pulls with bright white painted cabinet doors. This combination creates stunning lines and is perfect for contemporary minimalism.

9. Paint The Inside Of Your Cabinets

When it comes to painting kitchen cabinets, many people skip out on painting the inside of the cabinet box. If you are choosing to remove your cabinet doors, then you should definitely give your cabinet box interiors a fresh coat of paint. Otherwise, painting the inside of your cabinets can create surprising interest for those opening up the cabinet doors unaware of the painted interior. Whether you choose a matching color or a bright pop, painting the inside of your kitchen cabinet boxes is a fast and easy way to add another layer to your kitchen design.

10. Use Chalkboard Paint

Similar to adding cork, using chalkboard paint on select cabinet doors can be a great way to create a communications center in your kitchen. This is a great project for those with children in the house, as it can help you keep track of everyone’s busy schedules. If you choose this project, take a moment to think about where the chalkboard will be most efficient in your kitchen.

Finishing Up

DIY projects can range in both cost and duration. Our cabinetry experts recommend taking time to research and plan your projects before getting started. Knowing exactly what you plan to do ahead of time can help you reduce delays and costs by getting it right the first time.

If you are ready to start ordering or if you need assistance, please feel free to call us at 1-855-669-5222 or send us an email at info@cabinetnow.com. Our team of cabinet experts is here to help with everything from measuring to ordering.