Kitchen cabinets do so much heavy lifting in how your whole kitchen feels—bright, cozy, modern, rustic, or somewhere in between.
Create Deep Drawer Bases Instead of Doors
If you’re refacing cabinets anyway, converting lower door cabinets into big deep drawers is a game-changer for pots and pans. I’ve rebuilt bases like this, and I love how everything becomes grab-and-go instead of a cabinet cave.
Some ideas to consider:
- Heavy-Duty Drawer Slides: Upgrade your storage by installing sturdy slides that support heavy cookware and ensure smooth, reliable drawer operation.
- Matte Black Cabinet Pulls: Refresh your kitchen’s look with sleek hardware that offers a comfortable grip for opening large, heavy drawers.
- Drawer Box Organization Inserts: Keep lids and pots neatly arranged inside your new deep drawers with customizable dividers or organizers.
Swap to Modern Cabinet Hardware
I can’t tell you how many cabinet remodels I’ve “finished” just by switching to fresh cabinet pulls and knobs—it’s the quickest facelift ever. In my own projects, I always mock up a few options with painter’s tape first so the scale feels right.
Products that could assist:
- Brushed Gold Bar Pulls: Instantly modernize your cabinets with sleek, linear hardware that adds a warm, luxurious touch to any kitchen.
- Adjustable Cabinet Hardware Jig: Ensure perfect alignment and eliminate guesswork when installing new handles with this essential, easy-to-use template tool.
- Modern T-Bar Knobs: Update smaller drawers or cabinet doors with these minimalist knobs for a cohesive, contemporary design refresh.
Go Two-Tone With Dark Lowers
One of my go-to kitchen cabinet remodel ideas is two-tone cabinets: lighter uppers and moodier lowers for that grounded, high-end look. I’ve done this in tiny kitchens too, and keeping the uppers light is what prevents the space from feeling boxed in.
Check if these fit your needs:
- Dark Black Wood Peel and Stick Wallpaper: Update your lower cabinets easily with this dark wood texture film to instantly ground your kitchen’s aesthetic.
- Modern Gold Cabinet Pulls: Add a touch of warmth and contrast to dark lowers with these sleek, simple gold hardware pulls.
- Matte Charcoal Furniture Paint: Transform your existing cabinets entirely with a durable matte charcoal finish for that custom high-end look.
Mix Painted Cabinets With Wood Accents
My favorite “best of both worlds” look is painted cabinets paired with a few natural wood moments like an island base or a bank of pantry doors. I’ve found that even one wood section keeps an all-bright kitchen from feeling too stark.
A few relevant products:
- Modern Wooden Cabinet Handles: Update your current cabinetry with sleek wooden pulls to instantly add warmth and contrast to painted surfaces.
- Cream or Off-White Cabinet Paint: Refresh your existing cabinets with a high-quality semi-gloss paint to achieve that clean, modern two-tone look.
- Peel and Stick Wood Veneer or Wallpaper: Apply realistic wood-look contact paper to island panels or trim for an affordable, non-permanent accent upgrade.
Convert One Upper to Glass-Front
Swapping a couple upper cabinet doors to glass-front cabinets makes the kitchen feel lighter without losing storage. I’ve done this with thrifted glass panes, and styling just a few stacks of dishes behind them instantly looks intentional.
A few helpful options:
- Gold Cabinet Knobs: Upgrade your new glass doors with elegant hardware that adds a touch of warmth and sophisticiation to cabinetry.
- Minimalist Dinnerware Set: Style your visible shelves with matching stoneware stacks to create a cohesive, intentional look behind the glass.
- Glass Cabinet Door Inserts: Find the perfect clear or textured glass panels to replace solid wood centers for an airy, open feel.
Add Crown Molding for a Built-In Look
Crown molding on top of cabinets is one of those cabinet remodel details that makes everything look taller and more custom. I’ve installed it with simple trim tricks, and that clean line up at the ceiling is always worth the extra effort.
Possibly helpful picks:
- Brad Nailer Kit: Secure your trim effortlessly with this essential tool, ensuring seamless joints and a professional, clean finish.
- Solid Oak Wood Molding: Choose unfinished solid wood molding to match the natural, warm aesthetic shown in this cabinet inspiration.
- Gold Cabinet Pulls: Upgrade your hardware with modern gold bar pulls to perfectly complement light wood tones and white cabinetry.
Add Pull-Out Trash and Recycling
A pull-out trash setup is my forever favorite “why didn’t I do this sooner” cabinet remodel idea. I’ve built simple pull-out drawers inside a base cabinet, and it keeps the kitchen looking tidy even when life’s chaotic.
Consider these options:
- Pull-Out Trash Cabinet Hardware Kit: Install sliding tracks to transform your existing cabinet into a hidden waste station for a cleaner kitchen.
- Slim Rectangular Plastic Waste Bins: Fit multiple bins into your new drawer layout to easily separate trash from recycling in tight spaces.
- Cabinet Door Interior Mounting Brackets: Securely attach your cabinet door directly to the pull-out mechanism for a seamless, professional-looking slide operation.
Add a Pull-Out Spice Cabinet
That skinny gap beside a range is prime real estate for a pull-out spice rack cabinet during a remodel. I’ve built these narrow pull-outs, and they make a small kitchen feel ridiculously organized.
A few suggestions:
- Narrow Base Cabinet Pull-Out Organizer: Transform sleek narrow gaps into organized storage spaces for easy access to all your favorite spices.
- Glass Spice Jars with Labels: Create a uniform, visually appealing look in your drawers or racks with these clear, refillable glass containers.
- Deep Drawer Slide Rails: Upgrade your cabinet functionality with heavy-duty slides that allow full extension for easy reach to back items.
Build a Hidden Appliance Garage
If your counters are always cluttered, a cabinet remodel that adds an appliance garage keeps mixers and toasters handy but out of sight. I’ve made roll-up or hinged-door versions, and the calm, uncluttered look is immediate.
A few choices to try:
- Pull-Out Cabinet Shelf Organizer: Install sliding shelves to easily access heavy appliances like mixers tucked deep inside your new appliance garage.
- Woven Storage Baskets: Use sturdy, natural woven baskets to conceal smaller gadgets and loose cords while adding warmth to open shelving.
- Retractable Cabinet Door Hardware: Create a seamless look with hardware that allows cabinet doors to slide back and disappear when appliances are in use.
Add Toe-Kick Drawers for Sneaky Storage
Toe-kick drawers are a sneaky cabinet remodel trick that feels like secret storage, and I love using them for trays and linens. I’ve built them into older base cabinets, and guests are always shocked there’s a drawer down there.
Might be a good match:
- Toe Kick Drawer Brackets: Use these specialized brackets to securely mount your new drawers under standard base cabinets for hidden organization.
- Heavy Duty Drawer Slides: Install reliable, full-extension slides to ensure your floor-level drawers open smoothly and handle heavier kitchen items.
- Slim Gold Cabinet Pulls: Match your toe-kick drawer to your existing hardware with sleek, low-profile gold pulls for easy access.
Try Fluted or Reeded Glass Doors
Fluted glass is my favorite way to modernize upper cabinets while still hiding the everyday mess behind the doors. I’ve swapped plain panels for reeded glass, and it adds texture and sparkle without screaming for attention.
These products might help:
- Self-Adhesive Fluted Glass Film: Transform your existing plain glass cabinet doors instantly and affordably by applying this textured, self-adhesive privacy film.
- Minimalist Round Cabinet Knobs: Complete the modern-classic look with these simple round knobs that perfectly complement textured glass and wood finishes.
- Stackable White Dinnerware Sets: Show off organized silhouettes through the semi-sheer glass with crisp white bowls and plates that stack neatly.
Inlay a Wood Mosaic or Resin Accent Panel
For a true conversation-starter cabinet remodel, I’ve inlaid a small wood mosaic or a slim resin inlay into an island door or pantry cabinet face. It’s unexpected in the best way, and it turns ordinary cabinets into a one-of-a-kind focal point.
You might give these a try:
- DIY Wood Inlay Veneer Sheets: Transform your cabinet doors easily by applying these detailed wood veneer sheets for an instant custom look.
- Geometric Wood Wall Tiles: Create a striking texture on recessed cabinet panels using these pre-cut geometric wooden tiles for quick installation.
- Multipurpose Wood Glue: Ensure your new accent panels stay perfectly in place for years with this strong, reliable furniture adhesive.
