Changing kitchen cupboard sides and draws?

[Chillisauce]

Hi.

Just pondering really. I've been reading about how to tart up a tired kitchen (as we've a few years of saving yet). I can see that replacing cupboard doors seems fairly straight forward, and even getting someone to fit a new worktop doesn't seem that bad, but how do you change the draw fronts? Are they all standard sizes? And what about the sides of the cupboards? Can you buy replacement sides too?

Thanks.

My recommendation would be to make do for a bit longer and buy a new kitchens.

Tarting up kitchens is false economy. The biggest cost is the fronts and mechanisms but the bit that makes kitchens last is quality carcases. You spend a got bit of money changing fronts and mechanisms but if your layout isnt quite right or practical or the carcases are starting to show their age, you may well be wasting money tarting up the kitchen.

True, this is why I'm pondering really. There's only 9 cupboard fronts and 3 draws so I was wondering if I could get a few more years out of it by just as I say tarting it up.

Don't know what you do about the cupboard sides though?

If it does just become a massive faff I'll just make do.

No, they're not ALL standard sizes, but you might be able to identify a compatible range.

I'm going to have to disagree with KM here... I think the biggest cost is getting someone to fit the kitchen, NOT the fronts at all. Sure, the fronts tend to be more expensive than the cabinets, but to replace them (and the side panels) is a relatively easy DIY job. If you are happy enough with the layout for another few years, I'd say got for it: spend £200-300 quid, and you might actually end up with a kitchen you quite like for the next few years, until you can afford the one you love. Money well spent, in my book.

Thanks sandhorn, that's why I'm pondering it. If I can spend a few hundred in making it ok for a while I'd feel better and not hate it so much ha. I've been googling doors and they seem reasonable but I can't see how to get the side panels. I'll ring a few companies

Sorry Sandthorn - Most companies that do kitchen tart ups use vinyl wrap doors. A PWS gloss vinyl wrap 596 * 715 is around £50 + VAT (you can buy cheaper but its utter rubbish). A pair of soft close Blum hinges will perhaps cost £10 and a handle probably another £10. Thats £80 before you have fitted it. I cant see how you can do 9 fronts and 3 draws incl runners and hinges for £300.

I didnt say replacing the kitchen was cheap. I just said tarting it up was false economy.

Chillisauce - If you fronts arent falling off, just live with it. If its a wood kitchen, give the fronts a light sand and paint them for £20.

Kitchen refurb companies dont tell you what you need to know. Carcases are what makes kitchens last and if the kitchen is already a good 15-20 years old its better to save some money and change the kitchen completely.

Ok, for example: we worked out that my nan's inherited kitchen fitted B&Q doors (I'd guess a large proportion of kitchens are compatible with one of the big suppliers). The doors were minging to start with, but add peeling veneers, and it was deeply unattractive. The structures, hinges, runners were mostly ok. We did replace a couple of hinges, but reused most. That's how.

Yes but the key here is B&Q doors. Vinyl wraps are rubbish to begin with and the said branded doors are probably bottom of the barrel stuff. I was mentioning prices of some of the better vinyl wrapped doors, but its still a wrapped door.

How long before the doors start to delaminate?

Moreover OP intended to change runners/hinges etc as well. I still maintain, it cant be done for £300 if done to an acceptable standard with decent materials.

I think I must have missed something... Didn't think the OP mentioned hinges or runners at all - that was you, KM. Oh well!

I have a similar issue, except I
like my cupboards. I need to replace the work tops only - is this a) possible and b) false economy??

Sandthorn - Apologies. It was me. :)

Still maintain, changing fronts as a stopgap measure is not worth it.

Same here and watching with interest to see if someone comes along who has actually done it.

We can afford a new kitchen at present but the rest of the house is done and the kitchen really let's it down.

I as thinking along lines of OP, new work tops and cupboard and drawer fronts would make a big difference. Even if it's only for a couple of years?

Trouble is we have that bloody a awful Spanish type plastering throughout the kitchen, that will need to be sanded down and skimmed over.

I've tarted up a couple of kitchens, one was solid wood doors and we did the sand and paint option. The other we bought Fablon that was intended for covering kitchen doors. Don't know how long it lasted as it was tarted up to sell but it looked great. We just bought it from B &Q, it really didn't cost a lot.

I don't see why replacing drawer fronts would be a big issue, I've replaced a carcass and most seem to be a standard size.

Have also just replaced work tops in current kitchen. It wasn't a big job and the difference is amazing.

Trixy - who did you get to do the work tops? And how do they go eg around the hob? Thanks!

We got a joiner mate to do it. They had a jig to do the joins and used a jigsaw to cut out a hole for the sink and hob.

Glad it's not just me pondering over this then. Lots to consider. My brother is such a lucky and clever sod, he managed to get an entire second hand kitchen off eBay and made it look amazing! Soooooo wish some doors would just appear on there ha.