Sleek hardware and under-cabinet lighting can help transform existing kitchen cabinets. (Getty Images)

Want to give your outdated kitchen a cheerful refresh without spending a fortune (or antagonizing your landlord)? Luckily, even if you don’t own your apartment, you don’t have to live with the cheap, dark cabinetry it came with. Revamping your kitchen cabinets can go a long way toward making your kitchen feel like a modern space where you actually want to hang out. Here are 5 fast and easy ways to upgrade kitchen cabinets with minimal effort and expense.

Upgrade 1: Repaint

In general, paint is the easiest way to transform any room or piece of furniture, and kitchen cabinets are no exception. Not only will a fresh coat of paint cost you a fraction of the price of replacing the cabinetry altogether, it will also totally transform the mood of your space. Whether you go for a clean and simple white, a light, airy shade or a rich, bold color, choose a hue that makes you feel calm and comfortable. Interior designer Kati Curtis recommends Farrow & Ball’s Hague Blue for kitchen cabinets that pop in an on-trend dark teal.

Brooklyn 1BR Rentals Under $3K Article continues below

Park Slope

492 11th Street

$2,800 No Fee

1 |

1

Bushwick

188 Cooper Avenue

$2,930 No Fee

1 |

1

Bedford-Stuyvesant

598 Myrtle Avenue

$2,994 No Fee

1 |

1

Flatbush

2823 Snyder Avenue

$2,553 No Fee

1 |

1

Kensington

639 Foster Avenue

$2,600 No Fee

1 |

1

Bushwick

338 Evergreen Avenue

$2,850 No Fee

1 |

1

East New York

2840 Atlantic Avenue

$2,502 No Fee

1 |

1

Flatbush

1407 Flatbush Avenue

$2,595 No Fee

1 |

1

Park Slope

233 16th Street

$3,000 No Fee

1 |

1

Fort Hamilton

9707 Fourth Avenue

$2,850 No Fee

1 |

1

Bedford-Stuyvesant

12 Spencer Court

$2,850 No Fee

1 |

1

Homecrest

1753 East 12th Street

$2,800 No Fee

1 |

1

Upgrade 2: Change the Hardware

Simply switching up the hardware on your cabinets can make a world of difference. Most cabinet styles are easily adaptable to any type of knob or pull. To bring outdated cabinets into this decade, ditch those drab old handles and choose a sleek style in a shiny chrome finish instead. Or, if you prefer a more rustic or traditional look, pick a round shape in brushed nickel or pewter. Gold is a great way to add a hint of glamour. Home Depot and Lowe’s both have large selections of affordable options, and if you want to go really high-end, check out Rejuvenation.

Upgrade 3: Reface the Fronts

It’s no secret that we’re fans of peel-and-stick wall and floor decor — there are great options out there for removable wallpaper, tile, and more — and that love extends to kitchen cabinets as well. There are many peel-and-stick wood veneer options on the market, and if you’re feeling daring, you could just as easily go for contact paper in a fun graphic pattern.

Upgrade 4: Turn Them Into Open Shelves

Rather than redoing your cabinet fronts, why not remove them altogether and enjoy an airy, open-shelved look? If you’re not a fan of the interior finish, you can always cover it up with paint or wallpaper. Here are our best tips for styling open shelves in the kitchen. 

Manhattan 1BR Rentals Under $3K Article continues below

Upper West Side

25 West 84th Street

$2,950 No Fee

1 |

1

Kips Bay

233 East 25th Street

$2,618 No Fee

1 |

1

Lenox Hill

426 East 77th Street

$2,695 No Fee

1 |

1

Turtle Bay

349 East 51st Street

$2,600 No Fee

1 |

1

East Village

416 East Ninth Street

$3,000 No Fee

1 |

1

West Village

42 Morton Street

$2,950 No Fee

1 |

1

East Village

515 East 5th Street

$2,595 No Fee

1 |

1

Lenox Hill

791 Lexington Avenue

$2,650 No Fee

1 |

1

East Village

340 East 13th Street

$3,000 No Fee

1 |

1

Chelsea

241 West 15th Street

$2,850 No Fee

1 |

1

Upper West Side

113 West 85th Street

$2,600 No Fee

1 |

1

East Village

43 East First Street

$2,872 No Fee

1 |

1

Upgrade 5: Add Lighting

Finally, we’re strong believers in the power of good lighting. Adding small lights underneath your kitchen cabinets will instantly make the whole space feel cozier and brighter. These undercabinet LED lights are a breeze to install and even include a handy dimmer function. Lighting can also transform the look of cabinets without even touching them if you bring in some modern pendants or a fun overhead fixture, which will bathe your whole kitchen in a warm new light. 

—
Inspired to find your next place in New York? Whether you’re looking to rent or to buy, search NYC apartments on StreetEasy.