If you're wanting to create an updated, customized look to your kitchen cabinets without going over your budget, you might want to try DIY kitchen cabinets.

Redoing the cabinetry in your home is an exciting way to transform your kitchen! It allows you to redesign your kitchen just the way you’ve always dreamed.

The only disadvantage to replacing your kitchen cabinets is it’s expensive. The costs only add up when you buy new cabinetry and have a professional install it.

With DIY kitchen cabinets, you can cut costs and enjoy a new beautiful kitchen. You’ll be able to take your current kitchen cabinetry and transform it into something completely original!

Redoing your cabinets by yourself may take some time and a little elbow grease but the results are well worth the work. Not to mention the money you’ll save!

Are you looking for creative ways to redo your kitchen cabinet? Check out these great DIY kitchen cabinets ideas to get inspired!

Benefits of DIY Kitchen Cabinets

The biggest benefit of a DIY kitchen cabinet makeover is you have control of the entire process. You don’t have to feel limited to certain cabinetry designs. You also don’t have to worry about a crew of carpenters invading your home to install your new cabinets.

Most DIY kitchen cabinets ideas reuse your current cabinets. This saves you money on buying new cabinets and it's environmentally friendly. Transforming your current cabinets will bring them back to life and keep them out of the landfill.

Many DIY kitchen makeovers are quick and easy. Adding a fresh coat of paint to your cabinets is easy and can completely transform the look and feel of your kitchen.

DIY Kitchen Cabinet Ideas

A DIY kitchen cabinets makeover will require some labor and tools. Before you begin, you may want to get the following items ready:

  • Screwdriver
  • Drill
  • Extra screws
  • New cabinet hardware
  • Paintbrushes
  • Paint
  • Hammer
  • Saw
  • Painter’s tape
  • Staple gun
  • Sawhorses
  • Drop cloths
  • Sandpaper or a hand sander

Having these items on hand will make your DIY kitchen transformation a much faster and easier process.

Another tip worth mentioning is you will want to remove the cabinet doors from the shelves when you work on them. This will make sanding, painting, or replacing the doors easier and prevent you from damaging your kitchen.

With that in mind, check out these great DIY kitchen cabinet ideas.

Painting Ideas

DIY kitchen cabinets painting is one of the easiest ways to upgrade the look of your kitchen. To ensure the best results, you’ll need to remove the cabinet doors from the cabinets and remove the hardware. Before painting, you should sand the surface of the cabinets and doors to remove old paint and improve the paint’s adhesion to the surface.

You can repaint the cabinets to match any kitchen style.

Stick to white, grays, or slate colors for a clean modern look. You can distress your painted cabinets with sandpaper to give them a vintage charm. Use contrasting colors on the doors and shelves to make a statement.

Don’t be afraid to try bright colors, like yellows and pastels to brighten your kitchen. The only limit is your imagination.

Two-Toned Cabinets

Growing in popularity is the two-toned cabinet paint trend. This trend uses two colors, one light, and one dark. This style adds a touch of understand elegance to your kitchen.

The lighter color will cover the top portion of the kitchen cabinet, about 3/4 of the cabinet or more. The darker color covers the bottom portion. For best results, use dark paint to cover the bottom six inches.

If your walls are paintable, paint them to match the two-tone style of the cabinets. This will create an even tide line that spans across the cabinets and the walls.

Painting your cabinets with this two-tone style will elevate your kitchen style and take it beyond the ordinary.

Chicken Wire Doors

Do you like the look of open kitchen shelves but want some form of a barrier between your dishes and the rest of the kitchen? Chicken wire makes a great choice in place of glass or wood panels. You’ll still be able to see your dishes and create a quaint rustic feel in your kitchen.

Adding chicken wire to your cabinet doors is easy. If your doors have a frame around the edge, you can remove the center panels or glass and replace it with chicken wire.

Simply remove the cabinet door from the cabinet. Cut the chicken wire to fit the door and stretch it onto the back of the cabinet frame. Staple it into place and enjoy!

Barn-Wood Cabinets

Create a warm rustic feel in your kitchen with reclaimed barn-wood cabinets. You can find old reclaimed barn wood for sale in some rural communities or online.

Depending on your carpentry skills, you can do a DIY build of the cabinet doors using the old barn wood. This gives you the freedom the style them however you’d like. Another option is to buy pre-built doors made from barn wood or faux barn wood.

Remove your old cabinet doors and replace them with your reclaimed barn-wood pieces. You’ll absolutely love the quaint vintage feel they’ll add to your kitchen.

Remove the Doors

Those who are proud of their dishes may want to show them off. If this is the case, you can simply remove the doors from your cabinets.

By removing the doors, you can brighten the shelves. Add a splash of color to the back of the cabinet by painting it a different color or using fabric.

The advantage of fabric is you can use it to cover a fitted foam board that slides into the back of the cabinet. You can change up the look by swapping out different colored fabrics to keep your kitchen looking fresh and modern.

Make It Unexpected

Add the element of surprise by brightening the toe-kick! You can paint this area or cover it with contact paper for something less permanent.

Do your cabinets have uninspiring handles? Try mixing up the look by adding a fresh set of kitchen cabinet handles.

Transform Your Kitchen Cabinets

DIY kitchen cabinets are a great way to spruce up your drab kitchen. You’ll have the freedom to create a uniquely original design that fits your style. Besides saving money, you’ll feel proud knowing you transformed your kitchen by yourself.

Are you looking for DIY kitchen cabinet plans but don't know where to start? Request a free kitchen design and we'll help you design the kitchen of your dreams!