What To Do With Old Kitchen Cabinets
Kitchen cabinets are durable and long-lasting, but the day always comes when it’s time for you to replace them. While you could simply remove them and dispose of them right away, that will close the door to several other fun possibilities. Understandably, many homeowners struggle with what to do with old kitchen cabinets.
You can either recycle or upcycle your old kitchen cabinets and use them for something else like shelves or even a dog bed. Many homeowners sell their old kitchen cabinets if they are in good enough condition, and this can help pay for new cabinets. Otherwise, you can repaint the cabinets to use somewhere else in the house or donate them to an organization like Habitat for Humanity.
If you don’t want to get rid of your old kitchen cabinets, you can repaint them and add new hardware so that they feel new. This can help save up to $2,000 or more in the cost of replacing cabinets. Follow along as we explore what to do with old kitchen cabinets.
What Should You Do With Your Old Kitchen Cabinets?
Whether you recycle or repurpose them, there are several things you can do with old kitchen cabinets. Your first instinct may be to simply throw them away, but that isn’t your only option. Let’s take a look at what you can do with your old kitchen cabinets.
1. Recycle
Many homeowners recycle or upcycle their old kitchen cabinets. This is a great idea, especially if the cabinets are made of wood. You can easily dismantle old kitchen cabinets and use several of the pieces in different applications at home or for a project.
The doors or shelves in an old kitchen cabinet can be used to make a birdhouse, bench, or DIY display case. You can even convert old kitchen cabinets into dog beds. Otherwise, you can keep the cabinets mostly intact, add a new paint job, and use them for additional storage somewhere else in the house.
2. Sell
Depending on their condition, you may be able to sell your old kitchen cabinets. It’s easier than ever to sell used home goods online today using Facebook Marketplace and eBay. Granted, you will need to inspect the cabinets to make sure that they are in good condition.
This will also help you establish a selling price. Take several pictures of the old kitchen cabinets from several angles so the potential buyers can get a good understanding of the set. You will most likely be able to get more money if the cabinets are made of premium materials, such as hickory, pine, maple, or oak.
Check the other used kitchen cabinet listings online so that you price yours fairly. This will help cover the cost of the new kitchen cabinets that you upgrade to.
3. Donate
If your old kitchen cabinets are in good enough shape to sell, then they are in good enough condition to donate. This is a great way to give back and help organizations such as Goodwill, Salvation Army, or Habitat for Humanity. However, it’s important to call the organization in advance to see if they will accept old kitchen cabinets.
Some locations aren’t equipped to accept furniture and appliances, and some simply don’t have any room for them at the time. Only donate your old kitchen cabinets if they are in good enough condition that someone could easily reinstall them. You may be eligible for a tax write-off depending on where you donate the cabinets.
4. Store Them
If you don’t want to part with your old kitchen cabinets, you can always store them for later use. This is a great option if your cabinets are in good shape, as you can use them in the future. Whether you upcycle them or install them as is, you could easily find a new home for them later on.
This can allow you to hold onto the cabinets and refinish or paint them to sell for a great price. Otherwise, it can give you another option for your kitchen if you move to a new house.
5. Crafts
The sky is the limit when it comes to the craft possibilities that come with old kitchen cabinets. You can convert old kitchen cabinets into dartboards, picture frames, and shadow boxes. Otherwise, you could simply cover the old kitchen cabinets with photos, jewels, ornaments, stickers, and trinkets to turn them into art pieces.
You don’t necessarily need to keep the kitchen cabinets forever, but you’ll at least get to enjoy your fun crafts for a while. If you have kids, you can make a fun activity out of painting and decorating the cabinets. This is a great way to get more use out of your old kitchen cabinets and simultaneously create family memories.
6. Dispose Of Them
If all else fails, you can simply dispose of your old kitchen cabinets. You may need to contact your local garbage collection service for additional trash pickup if you can’t fit them in your standard can. You can’t typically put kitchen cabinets in a traditional recycling bin, but you may be able to take them to a recycling center near you
How Can I Update My Cabinets Without Replacing Them?
It can easily cost over $2,000 to replace kitchen cabinets, so many homeowners update the paint job and hardware instead to save money. Let’s take a look at a few cheap and easy ways to update your old kitchen cabinets so you don’t have to replace them.
Get New Handles
Something as simple as new handles can make your kitchen cabinets look new. This simple update can make your cabinets look much more elegant. For example, sterling silver handles can easily draw eyes and make your old kitchen cabinets look more lively.
Clear handles are in style, and contrasting cabinet handles are also on trend. For example, white handles on brown or black kitchen cabinets can create a bold and stylish contrast.
Add A New Stain
Adding a different stain can make your cabinets look as good as new. Stains can bring out unique qualities of the wood that can accentuate different aspects of the material. For example, an oil-based stain will bring out more color whereas a water-based stain will add a nice sheen without altering the base material’s appearance too much.
Repaint Them
Repainting your old kitchen cabinets can remove the need to replace them altogether. As long as your cabinets are in good shape, the paint should easily adhere to the surface. You typically only need to add 2-3 coats of paint to kitchen cabinets.
It’s important to sand the surface if it is rough and prime the cabinets before you repaint them. This will ensure that the new coats of paint will look as vibrant as possible.
Replace The Doors
It will look like you got new kitchen cabinets if you simply replace the doors. You don’t even necessarily need to make sure that the new doors match the rest of the cabinet installation. Contrast is in style, but you can also paint the new doors to match the interior and cabinet housing if you prefer a monochromatic style.
Summing It Up
Your best option is to either sell or donate your old kitchen cabinets. Otherwise, you can upcycle them and use the parts to build a bench, birdhouse, or dog house. Repaint your kitchen cabinets and add new hardware if you don’t want to spend the $2,000-$5,000 that it costs to install new kitchen cabinets.
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Nick Durante is a professional writer with a primary focus on home improvement. When he is not writing about home improvement or taking on projects around the house, he likes to read and create art. He is always looking towards the newest trends in home improvement.
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