The Easiest Way To Make Your Kitchen Look RICH
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When looking at the elements that make up your kitchen, nothing has a bigger impact on the look and functionality of the space than your cabinets. Custom cabinetry is the high-end choice for a kitchen that looks (and performs) exactly to your specifications, but the price can be prohibitive. That's where budget-friendly cabinetry comes into play.
Plenty of people swear by ready-made cabinets, and there are lots of ways to customize these to suit your kitchen's particular needs. But it's hard to deny that less expensive cabinetry options can look, well, cheap. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to make existing or ready-made cabinet options look more luxe. We asked a handful of interior designers and cabinet experts for their tips on how to make cheaper cabinets look rich.
Additional copy by Brittney Morgan.
Try Painting Them
If you want to add some color to your kitchen, paint over those cabinets with a gorgeous hue. Interior designer Victoria Holly points out that much of low-cost cabinetry comes in bright white or gray, so her team opts to simply spray over these current features in a different color. "This allows you to adjust the gloss level but also pick a color that feels custom," she says.
Milly McEwan, the product and design manager at RJ Living, encourages the use of eco-friendly paints in earthy tones like forest green, slate gray, or navy, to bring a sophisticated air to the room.
Switch Out the Doors
A clever way to save money on your cabinets is to choose budget-friendly boxes then spend some extra time and money on your cabinet doors. "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," Teri Simone from Nieu Cabinet Doors says. This works whether you're installing cabinets yourself or inherited them when you bought your house. You can choose custom doors—and hardware and color or stain you want—from a refacing 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.
Install Some Molding
Give flat cabinets a luxurious look by installing molding 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 molding 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 customizable." Don't forget to bring a cabinet door with you to the store to match the color exactly.
Swap Out Hardware
Hardware is the jewelry of your kitchen—the finishing touch to the room. Switching out basic, boring 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," McEwan says. If you change nothing else, swapping your hardware for something that better fits your style—from modern and sleek to warm and homey—can immediately add a layer of luxury to your space.
Change Out the Hinges
New hardware isn't just a style upgrade—it can also enhance your kitchen's 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 (who wants to hear that?), they also extend the life of your cabinets, since they get less wear-and-tear.
Don't Overdo It
"I really stand by the phrase, 'less is more,'" says designer and Queer Eye alum Bobby Berk. "Especially when it comes to kitchen cabinets. Rather than going for a cabinet style that has a lot of detail work or a busy pattern in the wood grain, go for something a little more simple." Berk notes that he usually sticks with flat-front cabinets or panel-style doors, since those are classic and timeless. It's also easier to change these styles later with a coat of paint or new hardware.
End With Lighting
Once your cabinets have been given their facelift, McEwan 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 countertop and any open shelving with gorgeous decorative pieces and accessories that match your refreshed vibe.
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