Update Metal Kitchen Cabinets. Cabinets are one of the most important parts of a kitchen. The cabinets that you choose can either make or break your kitchen design. If you don’t want to splurge on new cabinets, it may be time to update your existing cabinets. Here are some tips for updating metal kitchen cabinets – and breathing new life into your kitchen without breaking the bank.
Finding the Right Design for Your Space
One of the first things you should do when considering updating your cabinets is to find a design that suits your space. You may want to consider a design without doors or one with glass doors. You can also choose between different styles like rustic, modern, and traditional. You’ll also need to decide if you want a light or dark-colored cabinet.
Install a Rustic or Farmhouse Feel with Wood Paneling
If you want to give your kitchen a rustic or farmhouse feel, try installing wood paneling. This is a relatively inexpensive project that will make your cabinets appear more expensive than they are.
Another way to create the rustic or farmhouse look is by stenciling on the doors with light color paint. There are many ways to customize the look of your kitchen and install the new cabinets without breaking the bank.
Add Shelves and Organizers to Utilize Space
If you have cabinets that have open shelves, consider adding organizers. These inexpensive additions can make the entire kitchen feel more organized and clean. You can buy a variety of organizers at most home improvement stores.
Some of the popular shelves include:
- Sliding baskets
- Utensil holders
- Canisters
- Wire baskets
- Lazy Susans
The great thing about these options is that they come in a variety of sizes and shapes to fit any cabinet!
Change Out the Drawer Fronts
One of the easiest ways to update your cabinet fronts is by changing out the drawer fronts. You can change out the entire drawer front or just change out the door panels. You can use any type of fabric or wood to make new drawer fronts. For example, you could put a paper towel holder on one side of the drawer and a dishwasher rack on the other side. If you’re looking to swap out your old metal handles, try swapping them out with unique handle styles like opal glass, seashells, antique brass, and more.
See an example:
Materials for Updating Metal Kitchen Cabinets
To update your metal kitchen cabinets, you will need the following materials:
- Soft scrub pad
- A bucket filled with warm water and mild detergent
- White vinegar
- Gloves
- A rag or paper towels for drying cabinets
- Screwdriver for hardware removal
- Duct tape for repairs if needed
- Paintbrush
- Oil soap for stripping (optional)
- New cabinet doors and drawer fronts if necessary.
Update your Hardware
The kitchen is the place where you spend a lot of time. It’s where you prepare your food and it’s also where you do all of your cooking. So, it’s important to have a space that is functional and that you love. A simple way to update your cabinets without investing in new ones is to give the hardware on your existing cabinets a makeover.
You can easily change out old knobs for newer ones with more modern designs. You can also change out labels for other designs to add some personality to your kitchen. And if the backsplash isn’t something you like, simply replace it with something that you do enjoy!
Add new Doors, Drawer Fronts, and Accessories
Adding new doors, drawer fronts, and accessories is an inexpensive way to update metal kitchen cabinets. You can add a faux wood veneer or new handles to the look of your cabinets without the hefty price tag. You’ll be able to save yourself from spending too much money on new cabinets and will still be able to enjoy the benefits of updated cabinetry.
Preparing the Cabinets
The first step to updating your metal kitchen cabinets is preparing them for a new coat of paint. Remove any handles, hardware, or trim. If there are any windows or glass on the doors, remove them now too.
Then wash and dry your cabinet with a soft cloth and wood cleaner. Wipe them down thoroughly and allow them to dry completely before moving on to the next step.
Once they’re dry, you can decide what color you want to paint your cabinets. Pre-stain conditioners are available at most hardware stores, which will help keep your new paint job looking fresh longer by protecting it from stains like grease or water spots.
How to Update the Finish on your Cabinets
The first step in updating your metal kitchen cabinets is to decide on a new finish. You have a few options for updating the finish of your cabinets. For instance, you can use spray paint or outdoor paint to give the cabinets a new color or use chalk paint or milk paint in order to add some texture and detail.
Once you’ve chosen a new finish, it’s time to prep the cabinet doors. In order to get an even coat of paint on the cabinets, you will need to sand them down and then clean them with soap and water before applying any type of primer.
To prime your cabinet doors, cover them in a layer of primer and let it dry completely before doing anything else. After that, you can start painting! Make sure that you let each coat dry before adding another one so that the paint doesn’t end up clumpy.
Once your cabinets are painted and dry, it’s time for hardware! The hardware may be original from when the cabinets were installed or it may have been added later on. If this is the case, you will want to remove the old hardware from the door panels before installing new ones.
If your original hardware has sentimental value or if it isn’t possible for some reason to remove it from the door panel, you should consider painting over it instead of replacing it entirely with something new. This way, at least part of your cabinet can stay looking original while other parts get updated with
Conclusion
Your kitchen is arguably the most important room in your home. It’s where you spend time with family and friends, and it’s where you do much of your meal prep. What better place to invest in a home improvement project.
This article will walk you through everything you need to know to update your kitchen with metal cabinets. The first step is deciding what kind of design you want for your space. There are many options, from modern to rustic, that will work for any kitchen. You might also want to consider adding shelves and organizers to your cabinets to help you utilize space. Change out the drawer fronts to match your new style, or add some new hardware for a pop of color. It’s easy to update metal kitchen cabinets with a few simple projects.