When it comes to the elements that shape a kitchen, few have as much impact as the cabinetry. Bespoke designs, however, remain one of the most expensive kitchen luxuries, and for many of us, simply aren't within budget.
Ready-made cabinets can be a brilliant alternative, but they sometimes lack the polish and refinement we're after. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to customise them for a more elevated finish.
We asked a handful of interior designers and kitchen experts for their tips on how to make cheaper cabinets look high-end.
1. Add a lick of paint
If you want to add some colour to your kitchen and just generally make the cabinets feel a bit more 'you', paint over them in a gorgeous hue you'll love for years.
Interior designer Victoria Holly notes that much of the cabinetry found in budget and rental kitchens tends to come in stark white or grey. Her team often takes a different approach, opting to respray these existing units in a completely new colour. 'This allows you to adjust the gloss level, but also pick a colour that feels custom,' she says.
For those of us without a pro team, painting kitchen cabinets involves meticulous preparation. Use a thorough guide from a trusted brand (ideally specific to your chosen paint), cleaning with degreaser, sanding, priming and applying the paint using a brush, roller or sprayer. To ensure a lasting, professional finish, remove doors and hardware, sand thoroughly, apply two coats of paint and allow them to cure for several days.
2. Switch out the doors for fronts
A clever way to save money on your cabinets is to choose budget-friendly 'carcasses' – from the likes of IKEA or Howdens – then spend the real money on fronts to cover them.
'Focus more of your spend on those show-stopping doors that will get all of the attention and elevate your space to a more luxurious level,' says Teri Simone from Nieu Cabinet Doors.
This works whether you're installing cabinets yourself or inheriting them from your home's previous owners. You can choose custom doors – and hardware and colour or stain you want – from a specialist company, then choose to install them yourself or hire a contractor to do it for you. This will give the illusion of custom cabinetry without the matching price.
Milly McEwan, product and design manager at RJ Living, encourages the use of eco-friendly paints in earthy tones such as forest green, slate grey or navy, to bring a sophisticated feel to the room.
3. Install mouldings
Give flat cabinets a luxurious look by installing moulding to the doors to create depth and a built-in appearance. Holly suggests doing this to Shaker cabinets too, for a more unique, less builder-grade look.
Holly also likes installing crown moulding or baseboards around the cabinets to make them look even more built-in. 'We especially love to do this if the cabinets don’t quite go all the way to the ceiling or the cabinets have a toe kick that looks a little low budget,' she adds. 'This addition transforms inexpensive cabinets and instantly makes them feel customisable.' Don't forget to bring a cabinet door with you to the store to match the colour.
For Katherine Ormerod, who's on a one-woman mission to help renters embrace their 'not forever' home, the modern cabinets in her rented home weren't cutting it. To achieve a Shaker-style look to her cabinetry, she fixed pre-cut MDF strips to each door, before painting them in Rust-Oleum's inky Evening Blue.
4. Replace some cabinet fronts with curtains
Removing one or two cabinet doors and replacing them with fabric is a charming way to soften a run of hard cabinetry.
Under-sink cabinets are the obvious candidate, as are lower cupboards used for bulkier items. A café-style curtain fixed to a slim tension rod is one of the easiest options and can often be installed without drilling. For a more tailored finish, a small brass or painted rod looks especially smart.
Choose a washable fabric with a little body and weight so it hangs neatly – linen blends or cotton ticking both work well – and for sufficient fullness, a curtain around double the width of the cupboard opening is a useful starting point.
5. Change the hinges
When upgrading your kitchen cabinets, think too about functionality. 'Always opt for the slow-close hinge – you won't regret it!' advises Raymond Boozer, principal designer at Apartment48.
Not only do they keep your cabinet doors from slamming shut and disturbing the whole household, they also reduce the risk of chips and general wear and tear thanks to the soft close.
6. Swap out the hardware
Hardware is like the jewellery of your kitchen – a lovely bit of glitz to complete and accessorise the final look. Switching out basic cabinet pulls or handles for something more unique can change not only the look of your cabinets, but the overall vibe of your kitchen.
'I often recommend looking for vintage or artisan-made pulls and handles, as these small, handcrafted details create character and a sense of quality,' Milly says. If you change nothing else, swapping your hardware for something that better fits your style can immediately add a layer of luxury to your space.
7. Disguise glass doors with window film
If your kitchen already has glazed cabinet doors, window film can be a very effective shortcut to a more bespoke look. Reeded, fluted and frosted finishes are especially useful because they soften the view of whatever is stored behind the glass – which means less time arranging your mugs into an aesthetically pleasing pile.
Fine ribbing tends to suit smaller cabinet doors, while wider fluting can look slightly more architectural on larger panes.
8. Make the interiors beautiful
The inside of a cupboard is one of those places where a small amount of effort can have a surprisingly satisfying payoff. Painting the interior in a contrasting colour, lining shelves with patterned paper or adding wallpaper to the back panel can give basic cabinetry a more individual finish.
This works especially well inside glass-fronted cupboards, pantry cabinets and open cupboards where the interior is visible throughout the day.
If you're using wallpaper or decorative paper, choose something wipeable or seal it if necessary – kitchens are not especially kind to delicate finishes.
9. Complete with lighting
Once your cabinets have been given their facelift, Milly suggests finishing the look with warm lighting. This doesn't have to be expensive.
'Under-cabinet LED strip lights add a warm glow and can highlight the cabinetry beautifully,' she says. Then, you can style your worktops and any open shelving with gorgeous decorative pieces and accessories that match your refreshed vibe – or simply find rummaging in the pantry for breakfast a little bit easier.
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The Kitchen Edit
