5 New Look Ways to Reface Your Existing Kitchen
Refacing your existing kitchen with new doors and panels is a great way of updating your kitchen space while saving on the cost of new cabinets. If your existing kitchen works well, and is only in need of a facelift, here are 5 easy ways using EKitchens’ online system to achieve the look of a full kitchen renovation.
1. Change over your door cabinets to drawers.
Refacing your existing kitchen need not mean having to stick to your existing door cabinets. If your current cabinet modules are in good condition, changing to drawer inserts can change the look of your kitchen and add up to 30 per cent added storage to an existing cabinet. EKitchens offer adjustable size drawer runners to match drawer heights and depths.
2. Carefully select your cabinet base colours.
There is a commonly held view that ‘white’ goes with everything and choosing any neutral tone will work in a space. Indeed, most flatpack cabinet systems will feature white cabinets within their range. While this look works well in many spaces, you should carefully consider other materials used, such as flooring and wall tiles, and room features including lighting and furniture which play a part in how well these decors fit together. Often, bright whites will appear starker against timber floor decors which often feature warmer, or greyer undertones.
Laminex has recently matched a variety of different whites to pair their laminate cabinet finishes with various popular Dulux paint tones. Our eKitchens showroom design team can assist matching your floor or paint samples to suit the full range of door materials on offer in melamine, acrylic, Dulux paint and vinyl finishes to achieve a look that is fresh while working with your existing space.
3. Go for full contrast on new and existing surfaces.
Often there are parts of your kitchen that have not aged in the same way as the rest of your existing cabinets. You may decide to keep certain areas like an existing shelf cabinet. Perhaps you require new doors to match an existing décor that no longer exists. This may be the moment to strike out for full contrast! Team dark woodgrain base cabinets with light coloured overheads. Reface an island in an accent colour of blue, green, or even black to achieve a deliberate contrast.
In the kitchen below, end panels and benchtops have remained in a light woodgrain, while a neutral décor to the doors, together with high contrast kickplate, add a new dimension to brighten an otherwise all woodgrain space.
4. Add some dash with a new Splashback.
Splashbacks are an important and practical surface in any kitchen but are often overlooked for their potential to change the appeal of an ageing kitchen. Besides numerous tile products on the market, a quick and easy update can be achieved with aluminium, available in a variety of bright decors. Light coloured cabinet doors are given added pop when deeper toned splashbacks help give them contrast. Silver and charcoal tones match beautifully with stainless steel appliances or can add to the moody appeal of a dark woodgrain. Some of the many benefits of aluminium splashbacks are they are lightweight, can be applied over existing tile, and are easy to install. They are also easier than tile to cut for tap fittings and power sockets. The best part: they are easy to wipe clean and don’t have the grout lines of tile! Our Splashbacks
5. Choose from a selection of new look handles.
Whether you are choosing a full makeover of your kitchen, or simply a few cosmetic touches, selecting new handles is one of the easiest ways to change up the look of an existing kitchen. As more sink fittings and appliances become available in black, new slimline black handles can add a modern, designer touch to a plain surface door. Alternatively, a range of finishes in rose gold, brushed brass and nickel can add a touch of glamour to a period-style or Hamptons kitchen. For a fresh and easy-to clean look, consider adding push catches to the inside of your door cabinets to save on handles entirely. Our On Trend Handles!
For these and other bright ideas to freshen your existing kitchen, why not visit the EKitchens website, or drop by one of our showrooms for design advice from our friendly team.