I'm really not a fan of my kitchen cabinets, which are made of oak and have that dated stain and inlay typical of homes from the 80s and 90s. They're real wood, not veneer, but the design really feels outdated to me. I can cover them, but the inlay dips low on the top, so I'd need a significant amount of material to cover that part. I'm looking for budget-friendly ways to improve their look. I'm handy and have access to tools and friends who can help out, but I need ideas on how to remove that inlay before I refinish. Any thoughts?
3 Answers
Why not embrace the wood look? Try adding some modern black hinges and handles to your current setup. A little sanding and re-staining can really highlight the wood's beauty without going flashy. Just remember to keep it simple, as trends come around again!
Actually, that raised panel you're describing can't really be covered without accounting for wood movement. If you're looking for a big change, it might be easier to just replace the cabinet doors. You can find great replacements online or at local cabinet shops.
If you're tight on budget, you might want to build new cabinet fronts from plywood. Slab style doors are super easy to create and could really update your kitchen's vibe.

Definitely check out local shops or online ones like Cabinet Doors Depot. They offer pre-made doors that you can paint to match your existing cabinets for a fresh look.