8 Simple Hacks to Make Your IKEA Kitchen Cabinets Look Expensive on a Budget

If you’ve got IKEA cabinets but want to elevate their look without breaking the bank, you’re in luck! There are plenty of IKEA hacks for cabinets that can transform your kitchen into a high-end space on a budget. Here are eight easy and effective ways to make your IKEA cabinets look more expensive, using high-quality materials and stylish designs that won’t cost a fortune.

1. Upgrade with Custom Cabinet Doors

One of the most effective ways to elevate the look of your IKEA cabinets is by replacing their standard doors with custom cabinet door options. This simple yet transformative upgrade can give your cabinets a high-end, bespoke appearance without breaking the bank. At CabinetNow, we offer a diverse range of styles and materials to choose from, ensuring you find the perfect fit for your space and aesthetic preferences.

Why Custom Cabinet Doors Make a Difference

Custom cabinet doors can significantly enhance the visual appeal of your cabinets. Here’s why opting for custom doors works so well:

• Bespoke Appearance: Custom doors provide a tailored look that standard options can't match. Whether you’re going for a sleek, modern style or a classic, traditional feel, custom doors allow you to achieve a look that’s uniquely yours.
• High-End Appeal: Upgrading to custom doors instantly makes your cabinets look more luxurious. With materials like rich wood, elegant thermofoil, or modern laminate, you can create a high-end look that adds value to your space.

Customization Options for IKEA Cabinets

CabinetNow specializes in replacement doors specifically designed for IKEA SEKTION cabinets. Here’s what you need to know about our offerings:

1. Materials and Styles: We provide a variety of materials and styles, including:
   • Wood: Choose from a range of premium wood species such as white oak, maple, cherry, and walnut. Wood cabinet doors offer a timeless and classic look that can be stained or finished to your preference.
   • Thermofoil: This affordable option comes in numerous colors and finishes. Thermofoil cabinet doors are easy to clean and resist scratches and scuffs, making them a practical choice for busy kitchens.
   • Laminate: Known for its sleek and glossy finish, laminate cabinet doors is perfect for creating a modern and sophisticated look. We offer both luxury and standard laminate options to suit your design needs.
   • MDF: Medium-Density Fiberboard (MDF) doors are budget-friendly and paintable, providing a smooth surface for a custom finish. MDF is ideal for those looking to DIY their kitchen remodel.
2. Fit and Functionality: All our cabinet doors and drawer fronts are pre-measured to fit IKEA SEKTION cabinets with a full overlay. This means you don’t need to worry about complex measurements or adjustments. Simply select the dimensions that match your cabinet boxes from our dropdown menu.
3. Pre-Boring Options: To save you time and ensure a perfect fit, we offer pre-boring for IKEA hinges and lazy susans. This feature makes installation straightforward and hassle-free, especially if you’re reusing existing hardware.
4. Matching Drawer Fronts: For a cohesive look, we also provide matching drawer fronts that complement our replacement cabinet doors. This ensures that your entire cabinetry project maintains a unified design.

To get started today fill out our Free Quote for Refacing Cabinet Doors form below!

Exploring Different Styles

• Traditional Cabinet Doors: Achieve an elegant, classic look with unfinished wood doors that can be stained or painted. Options include various wood species and styles, such as flat or raised panels.
• Simplistic Shaker Doors: Known for their clean lines and versatility, Shaker doors offer a timeless aesthetic that can be dressed up or down depending on your choice of paint or hardware.
• Modern Thermofoil Doors: Perfect for a contemporary kitchen, thermofoil doors come in a wide range of colors and finishes, offering a sleek and modern look.
• Sleek Laminate Doors: Ideal for a glossy, high-end appearance, laminate doors are available in numerous styles, including flat panels and arched designs.

DIY and Customization Tips

• Priming MDF: If you choose MDF doors, remember to use a solvent-based primer to avoid swelling and ensure a smooth finish. Follow up with solvent-based paint and a clear coat for durability.
• Measuring and Ordering: Accurately measure your existing doors and select the appropriate size from our options. If you need assistance, our customer service team is available to help with measurements and ordering.

2. Add Crown Molding for a Classic Touch

Crown molding is a fantastic way to elevate the look of your IKEA cabinets and make your IKEA cabinets look more expensive. Adding crown molding to the top of your cabinets can transform them from basic to elegant, creating a seamless, custom appearance that rivals high-end cabinetry. This simple yet effective IKEA hack not only enhances the overall aesthetic but also provides a polished, finished look that can dramatically improve your kitchen's visual appeal.

Why It Works

Architectural Interest: Crown molding introduces an element of architectural detail that adds depth and character to your cabinets. This design feature draws the eye upward and integrates the cabinets more naturally into your kitchen space.

Custom Look: By incorporating crown molding, you mimic the appearance of custom cabinetry. The molding creates a cohesive transition between the cabinets and the ceiling, making them look more like built-in furniture rather than off-the-shelf products.

Enhanced Sophistication: The addition of crown molding brings a touch of sophistication and elegance to your kitchen. It adds a high-end finish without the need for expensive custom cabinetry, making it an ideal IKEA hack for achieving a luxurious look on a budget.

DIY Friendly: Installing crown molding is a relatively straightforward DIY project. With the right tools and materials, you can easily add this detail yourself, saving on installation costs while achieving a dramatic upgrade in appearance.

3. Use High-Quality Hardware

Swapping out basic hardware for stylish, high-quality knobs and handles is one of the most impactful IKEA hacks for cabinets to make your IKEA cabinets look more expensive on a budget. Selecting premium hardware options, such as brushed gold or polished copper, can dramatically elevate the overall appearance of your cabinets, creating a sophisticated, cohesive look in your kitchen.

High-quality hardware adds a touch of luxury and refinement to your cabinetry. For instance, pairing gold or copper hardware with rich cherry wood cabinetry can create a stunning, high-end aesthetic. The warm, reflective tones of gold or copper complement the deep hues of cherry wood, enhancing the overall elegance of the space.

Conversely, matte black hardware offers a sleek, modern contrast when paired with lighter cabinet colors. Matte black knobs and handles against a creamy, off-white cabinet finish create a striking visual contrast that exudes sophistication. This high-contrast combination adds a contemporary edge and makes the cabinetry appear more refined.

Replacing your existing hardware with stylish, high-quality options is a straightforward and cost-effective way to enhance your kitchen’s appearance. This easy DIY project can instantly transform the look of your cabinets, adding a touch of luxury and making your IKEA cabinets look more expensive without requiring a full renovation.

For budget-friendly options, Amazon offers a wide range of stylish hardware choices. Check out this selection of knobs and handles on Amazon to find the perfect fit for your kitchen transformation.

4. Incorporate Glass Panels

Integrating glass cabinet doors into your IKEA cabinets introduces a touch of glamour and refinement, making it one of the most effective IKEA hacks for cabinets to make your IKEA cabinets look more expensive on a budget. This simple update can dramatically enhance the elegance and sophistication of your kitchen, giving your cabinets a high-end, custom feel.

Whether you opt for frosted or clear glass, this addition can transform the standard look of your IKEA cabinets into something more upscale and tailored.

Options for Glass Panels:

1. Glass Doors with Open Panels: Leaving the cabinet door open for glass creates a sleek, minimalist look that enhances the visual appeal of your cabinets. This option allows you to showcase elegant glassware or decorative items, adding a sophisticated and bespoke touch to your space.
2. Glass Lites: Adding glass lites, or small glass panels, to your cabinet doors can create a classic and charming appearance. This design choice breaks up the solid look of traditional cabinet doors, adding a refined and intricate element that elevates the overall style of your cabinets.

1. Custom Mullion Panels: Opting for custom mullion panels is a great way to achieve a high-end, traditional look. Mullion panels are divided by wooden or metal bars that hold the glass in place, giving your IKEA cabinets a custom, luxurious appearance.

To further enhance the elegance of your cabinets, consider installing LED lighting inside. This lighting will highlight the glass panels, making the cabinet interiors shine and adding an extra layer of sophistication.

5. Paint or Stain for a Fresh Look

Sometimes, a fresh coat of paint or stain is all your IKEA SEKTION cabinets need to look brand new. For a modern and sophisticated look, consider using CabinetNow’s DIY Paintable cabinet doors. You can choose from sleek styles like a slab or elegant arched panels, such as the Mission. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even order glass panels unfinished and paint them yourself. Opt for a contemporary, yet timeless shade from your local paint store and follow our DIY guide on how to flawlessly paint cabinet doors like a pro on your own.

This IKEA hack for cabinets offers a polished, high-end finish without the hefty cost of a full replacement. By painting or staining your cabinets, you can achieve a luxurious look on a budget, transforming your IKEA cabinets into a more refined and expensive-looking feature of your kitchen.

6. Install a Custom Backsplash

A stylish backsplash is one of the most effective IKEA hacks for cabinets to make your IKEA cabinets look more expensive on a budget. By choosing the right materials and design, you can transform the overall look of your kitchen and add a touch of luxury without a complete renovation. Home and Gardens gives top design advice for choosing the right backsplash here:

1. Marble Backsplash: Opt for marble to introduce a touch of elegance and sophistication. Its natural veining adds a high-end feel to your kitchen, making your IKEA cabinets appear more upscale. Marble pairs well with both modern and classic cabinetry styles, providing a luxurious backdrop.
2. Subway Tiles: Choose glossy subway tiles or those in a unique color to modernize your space. For a contemporary touch, consider larger formats or creative layouts like herringbone. This simple upgrade can give your IKEA cabinets a fresh, stylish look that feels custom and expensive.
3. Patterned Ceramics: For a bold statement, patterned ceramic tiles can add character and visual interest. Select designs that complement your cabinet color and style, whether geometric for a sleek modern look or intricate patterns for a more artistic vibe.

Incorporating a stylish backsplash adds visual interest and enhances the entire appearance of your kitchen. This IKEA hack effectively makes your cabinets look more integrated into a high-end design, providing a luxurious update that doesn't break the bank.

7. Use Open Shelving for Display

Adding open shelving is a standout IKEA hack for cabinets that can make your IKEA cabinets look more expensive on a budget. Integrate CabinetNow's floating shelves into your kitchen design to break the uniformity of solid cabinet doors and introduce a sophisticated, customizable element to your space.

Choose from CabinetNow’s elegant wood veneers, such as Black Walnut, to add a touch of rustic charm that complements your painted cabinets. Alternatively, explore our Modern Thermofoil collection in contemporary colors to give your kitchen a modern, stylish edge.

Open shelving is perfect for displaying beautiful dishware, glass jars, or decorative items, which enhances the overall look of your kitchen and makes it feel more spacious and refined. This design tweak not only adds visual interest but also gives your IKEA cabinets a high-end, custom feel without a hefty price tag.

8. Add Under-Cabinet Lighting

Installing under-cabinet lighting is one of the most effective IKEA hacks for cabinets to make your IKEA cabinets look more expensive on a budget. Adding LED strip lights or puck lights under your cabinets can highlight their features and create a warm, inviting glow in your kitchen. This simple enhancement not only brightens up your space but also adds a high-end, polished touch.

Under-cabinet lighting adds both functionality and aesthetic appeal, drawing attention to the beauty of your cabinetry and enhancing the overall ambiance of your kitchen. By highlighting the details and creating a sophisticated atmosphere, this lighting upgrade makes your cabinets look more refined and upscale without breaking the bank.

For a variety of under-cabinet lighting options, check outthis selection on Amazon.

Wrapping Up

With these eight simple hacks, you can make your IKEA cabinets look more expensive without stretching your budget. Whether you choose to upgrade with custom cabinet doors, add crown molding, or enhance your kitchen with stylish hardware and lighting, each of these tips can help transform your cabinets into a high-end feature of your kitchen.

Ready to start your kitchen makeover? Explore CabinetNow’s range of custom cabinet doors and other materials to find the perfect fit for your project. If you need assistance or have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at 1-855-669-5222 or email us at info@cabinetnow.com. Our team is here to help you achieve the kitchen of your dreams! To get started today fill out our Free Quote for Refacing Cabinet Doors form below!