Filed under: Kitchen, Your Home
Want to change the look of your kitchen without adding a thing? You're in luck: This brilliant kitchen makeover gets its impact from removing things. Specifically, cabinet doors. Would you try this look at home?
We've all suffered through poorly designed rentals. And when it comes to the kitchen, makeovers aren't usually the easiest or least expensive option. This renter, Cambria Bold of Apartment Therapy's Re-Nest,was lucky to start with stainless-steel appliances, but the rest of it was a ho-hum, wood-and-white kitchen like we've seen in many a rental. But Bold got creative and livened up the space with a few simple and fantastically budget-friendly changes that transformed the whole room. Here's what she did:
Use the slider tool to slide left and right to compare the before and after!
Cabinet Doors
Removing the cabinet doors is a risky move, but the results here are great. Bold was able to lose the stock cabinet look and brighten things up with her great Fiestaware collection. The resulting look is busy so it's definitely not for everyone. This idea could also work well and appear less busy with matching dishes -- it's the perfect opportunity to show off a prized set. But even with plain white dishes, the major drawback is that you've got to keep the cabinets neat. Forget stashing mismatched mugs in spare corners of this kitchen.
Looking to remove your cabinet doors? DIY Life has you covered with a step-by-step tutorial....with photos!
Photo: Cambria Bold for Apartment Therapy
Cabinet Interiors
To give the cabinets some sense of continuity, Bold bought yellow and white patterned paper to line the backs of the cabinets -- and not wallpaper, vinyl decals or self-adhesive paper. This is paper bought at a craft store and taped up -- that's it! And the resulting look is great. It hides the ugly wood and brightens up the inside of the cabinets and the room. Plus, the options for customization are endless.
Because the landlord wouldn't allow her to paint, Bold had to come up with another creative idea for underneath the cabinets. She found great food photos from books and old food magazines and framed them using some matching frames they already had. We love this cheap-chic artwork, especially because it's so easy to change out with the seasons.
Photo: Cambria Bold for Apartment Therapy
Organization
The major drawback to tackling doorless cabinets is that you've got to commit to staying neat. The dishes and glasses are one thing, but food-filled cabinets are harder to keep cohesive. When shopping you've also got to consider the containers your food comes in.
Or instead of getting stuck paying a premium for the best-looking packaging, follow Bold's lead and buy some matching plastic and tin containers to hold your dry goods. The jars will give your cabinet texture (and yes, hide Cheetos). Go modern with some sleek, square jars or get vintage with some Ball jars. Even repurposed containers can look cool.
See more of the full makeover over at Re-Nest!
Looking for more kitchen makeover ideas?
A Small Kitchen Makeover
Minute Makeover: An Easy Eat-In Kitchen
Minute Makeover: Kitchen Art Ideas
Minute Makeover: A Can of Paint Transformed My Kitchen
Or if you are looking to remodel your kitchen cabinets check out this video!