CAN’T STAND THE sight of pine any longer? Hate those chrome handles? Ideally your kitchen should be somewhere you enjoy spending time, but once you’ve decided you’re not a fan of the fittings, it can be hard to go back.

Every fortnight, Laura de Barra brings her lifestyle and home maintenance expertise to the Glenveagh Home Magazine on TheJournal.ie – and this week she’s sharing her advice for transforming kitchen cabinets without gutting the whole space.

IF YOU LONG for a kitchen cupboard update but can’t afford (or don’t want the hassle of) a total refit, I have some solutions for you.

A total kitchen renovation is bound to be costly, but you’ll also be without a kitchen for a period of time, which isn’t exactly something to look forward to. Instead, you might find that all it takes to give your kitchen a new lease on life is a replacing a few handles, adding a lick of paint, or replacing the cabinet doors. These ideas can save you money while injecting style into a dated or dull kitchen space. 

Here are some easy ways to update your cupboards and drawers to improve your kitchen and give it either a little refresh or a totally new look…

Swapping out handles can be a simple fix

If your cupboards are looking a little dated, it’s usually the hardware on them that is the biggest offender. Replacing them can be a cheap and easy way to bring your kitchen up to date. There are so many options available online these days, it’s easy to snap up an updated set for a low price. Replacing black spiral handles with something a little more streamlined or in a trendy metallic finish is a great option if you want a quick result. 

Removing the handles should only require a screwdriver; just remember to store the originals to pop them back on if you ever need to.

Shutterstock / Africa Studio Shutterstock / Africa Studio / Africa Studio

But remember to measure first

Knobs that use just a single screw are pretty easy to find replacements for, as it is usually the same thickness of screw used. Just don’t forget to double check before you buy, just in case.

If your current handles are bar handles, like most kitchen units these days, they’ll be attached by two screws. Be sure to measure the distance between the holes for these screws; this is called the hole spacing measurement. The delightful news is that there are around ten standard industry measurements for bar handles, which means it’s pretty easy to find the right size replacement for yours.

You could paint the cupboard doors for a new look: 

For under €100, you can change the look of your cupboards entirely by painting them yourself. Painting cupboard doors usually takes a few days due to drying time between coats, so make sure you give yourself enough time to do it well. 

Here are a few painting tips to ensure you 

• Priming: Don’t worry if your cupboards or vinyl and not real wood, they can still be painted. You just need to make sure there is a primer layered between the faux wood and the paint. Most DIY stores will be more than happy to chat through what primer is best for your kitchen.

• Prepping: Doors should be removed for this job – no matter how careful you are, you will never get the best finish if they are hanging during prep and painting. Be careful here: have someone hold them while you unscrew the door from the hinge. Preparing the surface for priming is vital so make sure you follow all directions on the tin, including ‘keying’ the surface, which just means to rough up the surface with a fine grain sandpaper. Don’t forget real wood surfaces will need some prep too!

• Applying: Satinwood is great for kitchen units, but you can go for any kind of paint made for wood surfaces.

• Drying: Ensure doors are lying flat to dry so the paint doesn’t run, which can cause it to gather in places. Painting the inside of the cupboards themselves isn’t necessary, but the frames of the cupboards and all sides of the doors are a must!

Painting can also be done by a professional company who will spray them to your chosen colour. It will be more expensive, but far cheaper than replacing cupboards completely. 

Shutterstock / alabn Shutterstock / alabn / alabn

Or opt for replacement cupboard doors

If you have the budget and the cupboards themselves aren’t in bad condition, replacement doors may be the option for you. Many kitchen cupboard doors have similar dimensions, so shop around high street stores to see if your measurements match some of their stock. This will save you having to shell out for custom built doors and it will be a straightforward installation.

Follow @lauradebarra on Instagram for more pro cleaning and lifestyle tips (and plenty of other fabulousness too).

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