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DIY Kitchen Cabinet Remodel

June 15, 2016 By Ashley 19 Comments

88 shares

A few months ago I noticed my kitchen cabinets started to crack and peel away. Crack and peel away?! I had NEVER seen this happen before. These cabinets were covered in laminate. LAMINATE. I know that might not be shocking to some, but to me it was bizarre. After getting frustrated with how they were looking I tore off all the laminate and was left with these odd feeling, sawdust looking doors. 

DIY Kitchen Cabinet Remodel

Technically they are MDF- medium density fiberboard doors. These cabinets are on the cheaper side of the kitchen world. Naturally, that is what the builders decided to use in this house. Thanks guys. There was no way I wanted more laminate and forking over the dough required to upgrade the cabinetry was out of the question. I asked my old pal Google if it was possible to paint MDF cabinets. Sure enough it is possible. As long as you are mindful of the fact they are very porous.  

This DIY Kitchen Cabinet Remodel is an easy way to spruce up your kitchen. With a little elbow grease, a helpful friend, and husband to help clean, you can save yourself a lot of money. This whole project cost under $100!

DIY Kitchen Cabinet Remodel

Materials Needed:

  • 120 Grit Sandpaper
  • 2 Small Roller Handles (if you are doing this solo, just one)
  • 4 inch Foam Rollers 
  • 2 Medium 2 inch Foam Brushes (available on Amazon but I don't think you need 48)
  • Oil Based Primer
  • 1 Gallon Satin Paint 
  • TSP Substitute Cleaner
  • Paint Tray
  • Painter's Tape
  • Drop cloths or old sheets
  • An awesome Husband*
  • An equally awesome Friend*

*not available in stores. Sorry!

DIY Kitchen Cabinet Remodel: How to Reface Laminate Cabinets

Step 1: Peel off the laminate.

This wasn't that difficult since most had dry rotted and began to flake away. The others only required a little pressure on the seams with a flathead screwdriver. 

DIY Kitchen Cabinet Remodel

Step 2: Empty out the Cabinets and clean inside them.

Also clean the outside. We used the TSP substitute cleaner to get the grime off. 

Note: Do not use this on the pressed cardboard cabinet doors. They are porous. 

Step 3: Remove Doors and Doorknobs 

DIY Kitchen Cabinet Remodel

Step 4: Tape off the cabinets and sand the surfaces.

Step 5: Prime using an oil based primer. 

This dries pretty quickly. We applied 2 coats total.

DIY Kitchen Cabinet Remodel

 

IMG_8148

Step 6: Paint the cabinets with the white satin gloss. 

We ended up doing 2 coats. Since paint takes longer to dry than primer, we painted one coat Tuesday and the second coat on Wednesday. 

Note: The first coat of paint should be thinly applied. Do not cake it on. 

DIY Kitchen Cabinet Remodel

Step 7: Rehang doors, add knobs, and enjoy your beautiful new cabinets! 

DIY Kitchen Cabinet Remodel 

Next up are those green laminate countertops. I've never been a fan of them. I have a feeling I will have to pay someone to do those!

What household project are you tackling this Summer?

 

*this post contains affiliate links.

88 shares

Filed Under: DIY, Featured Tagged With: DIY, home projects, kitchen, saving money

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Avatar for Robin Rue (@massholemommy)Robin Rue (@massholemommy)

    June 15, 2016 at 10:53 am

    I love how it came out. You must be so excited.

    Reply
  2. Avatar for Maryann PeikMaryann Peik

    June 15, 2016 at 5:05 pm

    They look fabulous and such a bright modern update! Great job!

    Reply
  3. Avatar for TamaraTamara

    June 15, 2016 at 5:37 pm

    Well look at that! You did great. That must feel so good to have such an awesome upgrade for cabinets.

    Reply
  4. Avatar for AliciaAlicia

    June 15, 2016 at 11:45 pm

    Those turned out great! Thanks for the tips on how to paint them. I’d like to repaint mine soon.

    Reply
  5. Avatar for Amanda LoveAmanda Love

    June 15, 2016 at 11:59 pm

    I have a few big jobs to do this summer that’s going to cost us some money. Wish me luck! BTW your cabinets look amazing now!

    Reply
  6. Avatar for EmilyEmily

    June 16, 2016 at 12:31 am

    I love the look of the light and bright cabinets! I painted ours a few years ago and it is so much work but so worth it. This summer I am busy working on my front yard.

    Reply
  7. Avatar for MilenaMilena

    June 16, 2016 at 6:41 am

    Wow- you guys are doing a great job. We redid our cabinets years ago and it was a lot of work.

    Reply
  8. Avatar for Claudia KruschClaudia Krusch

    June 16, 2016 at 8:37 am

    Love it! You must be happy to have such an awesome upgrade for cabinets. We have some cabinets in the bathroom we want to upgrade, maybe I will try a DIY!

    Reply
  9. Avatar for Heather LawrenceHeather Lawrence

    June 16, 2016 at 8:56 am

    Well, we were trying to get the toys into the basement and then we had a flood so now we are ankle deep in a renovation ourselves. The painter finished yesterday so now we are waiting for flooring and our baseboards to be re-installed. Then we paint the last 3 doors and a window well and we are DONE!! Then it’s on to changing out the flooring in the main floor. That is going to be the next big job.

    Reply
  10. Avatar for ShannaShanna

    June 16, 2016 at 9:46 am

    Wow! They look gorgeous! I’ll have to keep this in mind when we move!

    Reply
  11. Avatar for Tatanisha WTatanisha W

    June 16, 2016 at 10:25 am

    Wow, you did a great job!! We are in need of redoing our kitchens and cabinets! I’ve taken note! Thanks!

    Reply
  12. Avatar for RoseyRosey

    June 16, 2016 at 11:39 am

    It turned out fabulous. I like a white kitchen. Makes it seem more open.

    Reply
  13. Avatar for KristinKristin

    June 16, 2016 at 6:36 pm

    The cabinets look so fresh and updated! What a gorgeous revamp. Well done!

    Reply
  14. Avatar for Liz MaysLiz Mays

    September 5, 2016 at 9:32 am

    They look exactly like my cheapies! Now I know what to do to fix them up. It turned out fabulously well!

    Reply
  15. Avatar for Rebecca BryantRebecca Bryant

    September 5, 2016 at 9:52 am

    My current home remodeling is looking into building a porch with a ramp. Mom is having trouble getting up the stairs so we are trying to do this on our own.

    Reply
  16. Avatar for Lois Alter MarkLois Alter Mark

    September 5, 2016 at 10:14 am

    Wow, you have no idea how timely this is for me! You may have inspired us to try redoing our cabinets ourselves. Yours came out beautiful!

    Reply
  17. Avatar for PamPam

    September 5, 2016 at 7:37 pm

    What a great job. They look wonderful and for only $100. That is wonderful. It is amazing what you can do with a little elbow grease.

    Reply
  18. Avatar for Morton StonesMorton Stones

    January 28, 2017 at 7:30 pm

    These look great! A job well done.

    Reply
  19. Avatar for Sapana VSapana V

    April 2, 2017 at 10:53 am

    It looks nice after renovation. Good job

    Reply

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Avatar for Sapana VAshley Saunders is a movie critic, writer, podcaster, and gamer from the Washington DC area who is always ready to travel.
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