Kitchen Cabinets on a budget

14 years ago

last modified: 14 years ago

Hi - does anyone have any suggestions on how to do kitchen cabinets on a budget? I have heard, have the boxes made, buy ikea doors. I have heard buy all Ikea cabinets, but then heard they warp after just a year or 2.

I have a galley kitchen that is horrifying! absolutely awful. It is small too. I get quotes in the 20K range, most of that is cabinets. I live in Chicago. If anyone has any creative ideas - please let me know! I need tall cabs and im going for modern - flat panel.

I am updating this with a photo of my ugly kitchen in hopes it gets people inspired to comment/help/offer advice!! :)

Featured Answer

User

14 years ago

Really want to save money? Paint them. Then buy baskets, all the same size + color, and put on hop of cabinets..

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Comments (11)

M SCH
Original Author
14 years ago
Photo of the kitchen in serious need of a facelift!
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Dytecture
14 years ago
Hi, if the cabinets are in good condition it might be best to keep them and instead update the countertop and hinges, also adding door handles would be a good idea.
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M SCH
Original Author
14 years ago
they are in great shape, but they are so ugly, and - they are not full size. They are short. I have a good foot between the top of the cabinets to the ceiling - which to me is wasted space.
User
14 years ago
Write to me for help picking the color: jennifer@thepaintedshingle.com
charleee
14 years ago
Paint the boxes, buy new doors. You can also supplement the wasted upper space with small cabinets.
Donald
14 years ago
Ike's makes great cabinetry, if they've warped after two years it's because they weren't put together properly to begin with.
Donald
14 years ago
Ikea, not Ike's. Removing old and installing new is going to be expensive, there's just no way around it. Maybe think of the remodel as a 5 year plan...year 1 new countertops. Year 2 new upper cabs. Year 3 reface lower cabs, etc.
Amy Burke
14 years ago
Can you show a photo of the other side? I have been fortunate to have learned backwards, I started off designing kitchens from 17k-135k and had to grow with the times and found a kitchen can be replaced in 3k-5k. These days I do all of the above. Ikea is nice looking and has many grades of quality. Curious also what exactly is included in the 20k quote. Removal, electrical, plumbing, etc. Glad to help!
Rebecca Behrent
14 years ago
Columbia Paints makes paint specifically for painting cabinets like yours. Give them a call or look up on the internet. I agree that painting the cabinets would be a great way to update the look of them - and baskets on top is also a great idea. I'd paint the cabinets an off-white, creamy color. As to the 20K quote - I have as many cabinets as you do, maybe more - and I spent way less! You must have gotten a quote for Cadillac grade cabinets! In my opinion, you need to get more quotes, as I did - they can vary greatly for the same quality!
Rebecca Behrent
14 years ago
Here's a site I just went to which goes through the entire process of painting your cabinets: http://www.allthingsthrifty.com/2012/08/how-to-paint-your-kitchen-cabinets.html