Unique Cabinet Doors
The Upper Cabinets
A Reasonably Priced, Unique Way to Update Cabinet Doors and Make Your Kitchen Beautiful
![updating oak kitchen cabinets before and after](http://out-there.design/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_5887-1024x993.jpg)
My upper cabinets Nice, eh? The doors are unattractive and outdated. I won’t comment on the color of the wood. No, I have to comment. It’s baby-shit brown. (Can you say “shit show”?)
The Upper Cabinets! Bane of My Existence.
Because I couldn’t afford to replace the upper cabinet doors, I decided to insert wallpaper panels into the recessed sections. What started as a economic necessity became one of the most striking features in my kitchen. I was updating a kitchen without replacing cabinets.
![updating a kitchen without replacing cabinets](http://out-there.design/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/upper-2-768x1024.jpg)
Too Many Options- Choosing the Panels
Option One: Showcasing My Interests-
The sample showed a bicycle but my plan was to feature different graphics in each cabinet,
![unique cabinets](http://out-there.design/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/bike-633x1024.jpg)
an homage to DH’s and my many interests. For DH, a drone in one cabinet and an airplane in another, and so on. For me, gardening tools, a sewing machine, etc. A friend mentioned that the hobby option would limit resale appeal, but the wallpaper is easily replaced so I could put something more generic in if I wanted to sell my house. (Who am I kidding, I’m going to die in this house).
![updating oak cabinets](http://out-there.design/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/floral-626x1024.jpg)
Option Two: Floral. Who doesn’t love flowers? I tried a variety of floral options. The results were pretty, but not personal enough for me
![](http://out-there.design/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/floral-2-572x1024.jpg)
Option Three: a subtle texture, (not pictured.) It looked good but was too safe for my taste. Doesn’t mean it wouldn’t be good for someone else.
![](http://out-there.design/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/20230616_085455-1-768x1024.jpg)
Option Four: gears and mandalas and crosshatching and… My friend gave me the ultimate compliment when she said, “that looks like your embroidery designs”, these panels looked like something I would design, my style. Time to press the “yes please” button.
I designed inserts for all the cabinets and had them printed on Spoonflower.
If you like my inserts, they are available on Spoonflower (link) And, if you’re interested I can design something specific for you, to showcase your style.
Click Here to see my offerings on Spoonflower
Want to know what I did with the lower cabinets? Click here.
To read about other parts of my kitchen reno, start here.
2 responses to “Unique Cabinet Doors”
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Your ‘friend’ is correct! They remind me of your embroidery designs as well.
And, no, not fabric, but wallpaper you designed. I want some for myself.
I’m going to send your blog info to my oldest daughter. Your artwork is right up her alley.-
Thanks for passing this on. I’d love to see the type work your daughter does. She has big footsteps to fill.
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