How to make old cabinets look modern?

January 31, 2025

The cabinets in your kitchen are a centerpiece of the whole space. Over time, whether due to changing trends or just your evolving tastes, your cabinets might not satisfy the aesthetic you want, especially in rooms where you spend a lot of time. When this happens, you're probably ready for a kitchen or bathroom update to modernize or brighten those spaces.


Turning your old cabinets into sleek, modern showpieces is the perfect way to transform your kitchen or bathroom. Best of all, you can do it without committing to the expense and time of a complete renovation.

The answer is cabinet refacing. New modern cabinet doors, drawer fronts, and hardware can certainly give your old cabinets a facelift, but let's look at a few design tips to help you get the most out of your cabinets by adding some modern touches throughout the spaces they occupy.

Choose Modern Cabinet Refacing Components
Cabinet Refacing is an alternative to replacing your cabinets. It's a more affordable solution that doesn't require the time or disruption that a full cabinet replacement does. Cabinet refacing lets you keep your current cabinet boxes while changing the cabinet doors, drawer fronts, and hardware. This is more cost-efficient, less time-consuming, and makes sense if your current cabinets provide the functionality you need and are still in good shape.

With refacing, you can choose the style of your cabinets, such as slab, raised panel, or shaker. You can also choose from many colors. Neutral tones like white, gray, or beige can create a clean and minimalist aesthetic, which is the hallmark of modern design. Consider deep navy, charcoal, or matte black if you want a bolder look. High-gloss finishes add to a contemporary feel by reflecting light and adding a polished appearance.

Updating the hardware is another way to modernize your cabinets. Swapping outdated handles and knobs for sleek, modern options will instantly alter the look of your cabinets. Brushed nickel, matte black, or brass hardware in streamlined shapes works well for a contemporary design. Another way to bring your cabinets into the current century is by installing push-to-open mechanisms. This means no visible handles, which promotes an ultra-modern, minimalist look.


Adding a layer of texture or design detail to cabinet fronts is a great way to modernize them. Flat-panel or slab cabinet doors are staples of modern kitchen and bathroom design because they offer more flexibility with design. Try replacing ornate or raised-panel cabinet doors. They can distract from or limit your design choices. A simple veneer with wood grain patterns or other sleek textures can create a striking appearance that works well with modern cabinet design. For a high-end effect, consider incorporating glass inserts or frosted panels, which add depth and a touch of elegance to any room.

Enhance Your New Cabinets
You can enhance your new modern cabinets by updating the surrounding space. For instance, the color and material of your countertops can significantly impact how your cabinets look in the overall design. Pairing new cabinets with modern countertop materials like concrete, quartz, or butcher block can help bring a space together. Even contrasting light cabinets with a dark countertop or even other cabinets can create an eye-catching effect.

Lighting also plays an important role in achieving a modern aesthetic. Installing under-cabinet lighting can highlight the updated cabinets while adding a warm ambiance. LED strip lights or puck lights are excellent choices as well because they are energy-efficient and unobtrusive. Pendant lights above an island or vanity can further bring out a modern vibe that will give your new modern cabinets extra sleek appeal.

Adding open shelving alongside updated cabinets helps create an airy feel, while removing or replacing upper cabinet doors with floating shelves lets you showcase dishware, glassware, or other decorative accents. When combined with your refinished cabinets, open shelving adds dimension and helps break up the monotony of a wall of cabinets.

In addition to modern refacing and adding modern elements throughout the space, adding organizational features inside your cabinets can elevate their usability and align with the practicality of modern design. Soft-close hinges, pull-out shelves, and built-in dividers bring a sense of order and convenience that can complement your new streamlined exterior.

Other elements in your kitchen or bathroom also play a significant role in completing the modern transformation, making your new cabinets look even more modern. A backsplash, subway tiles, or metallic finishes can help highlight your new cabinets. Updating your walls with a fresh coat of paint or even a statement wallpaper can enhance the overall aesthetic, helping to create a cohesive design that helps put focus on your updated cabinets.


Of course, adding the right finishing touches can tie everything together, bringing out the best in your new cabinets. Minimalism is an important part of modern design, so select a few carefully chosen accents rather than cluttering the space. Geometric planters, sleek vases, or some modern artwork add character without overwhelming the modern aesthetic or taking anything away from your new cabinet design..

In short, knowing how to make old cabinets look modern isn't that difficult. Just remember that making old cabinets look new is more than just changing the cabinets themselves. New cabinet doors and drawer fronts are the starting point, but by focusing on color, hardware, texture, and the surrounding elements, you can breathe new life into old cabinets and create a fresh and modern space at the same time.

Modernize With Cabinet Reface Direct
Are you ready to modernize your old cabinets? At Cabinet Reface Direct, we can help you do just that.

Cabinet Reface Direct is a nationally recognized cabinet refacing and manufacturing company that offers residential and commercial cabinet refacing services. We provide full-service cabinet refacing solutions that include free estimates, a wide choice of design options, and quick, clean installation at an affordable price.

As manufacturer and installer, we oversee every aspect of the process, allowing us to provide our customers with the highest-quality cabinet refacing available. We're so confident in our work that we offer a guarantee on everything we do.

We offer customers a range of cabinet styles, including shaker, slab, and raised panels in various textures and colors, making it easy to modernize your cabinets. We carry a selection of handles, knobs, Dovetail drawer boxes, soft-close hinges, soft-close drawer slides, drawer fronts, and other cabinet components to ensure you always have options.

In addition to manufacturing and installing cabinet refacing components, we offer a wide variety of other services to help you make the most of the space surrounding your new cabinets.

Because we believe everyone should be able to have the cabinets of their dreams, we even offer to finance with interest rates as low as 0% and $99 monthly.

The quality of our materials, our strong commitment to the best craftsmanship, and the attention to detail we put into our installation ensures you'll get the most from your cabinets for decades.

If you're ready to upgrade your cabinets, call Cabinet Reface Direct at 877-673-3223 or fill out our contact form to schedule a FREE consultation and quote with a Cabinet Reface Direct designer today.