Updating kitchen on a budget - cabinet doors only?

[FreeLitres]

I'm exploring updating our kitchen on a budget.

We currently have this (horrible!) style of cabnet.



Is it possible just to buy new cabinet doors that will screw onto the existing fittings? If so, where would I get such doors and how much are the likely to cost?

Are there any other ways to improve the look on a budget?

[FreeLitres]

That's not my actual kitchen by the way. I just googled "Dated kitchen" to find one of a simmilar style to mine!

Hmm, quite like the idea of stuck on laminate. Can it actully look nice, or will it always look like stuck on laminate?

Are you thinking wood effect, or something else? Any example pics for inspiration?

[FreeLitres]

I'll check out new doors t Ikea and B&Q.

We are looking to sell the house and don't want to chuck loads of money into updating it. I'm looking to do just enough to prevent the kitchen being a massive turn-off.

[FreeLitres]

UPDATE

We went into B&Q today and ordered a load of doors!

We spoke to their kitchen person and showed them our measurements so hopefully everything will fit. (She wasn't very good to be honest and costed up a slightly wrong order at first and we went back after a few minutes with the reciept to double check it)

We went for a plain ivory colour design from their cheapest range which looks fairly modern. 2 week delivery. All the doors and draws fronts cost us £130 in total. I need to find some handles on the cheap now.

Fingers crossed that they right stuff is sent and it actually fits ok!

[FreeLitres]

Will hopefully go from this


To this


The doors dont come with handles though. I've found some long handles similar to those in the photo on ebay - £10 for 20. Might go for them.

Propper bargain basement action!

[FreeLitres]

Hmmm not sure how to proceed with the fitting now.

Is there ANY chance that the bracket holes in the new doors will allign with the holes in the old doors? i.e is there a chance that I could leave the hinges on the carcass and pop the new doors on?

I think I already know the answer

[FreeLitres]

Gentlemen - have I just stumbled across my solution?

I watched a youtube video on hanging cabinet doors and the chap produced a "jig" template that shows you where to drill the holes.

One of these jobbies;



eBay claims "SAVE TIME AND MONEY BY REDUCING MISTAKES"

Anyone used one of these?

EDIT: Probably what DocJock just said!

Edited by FreeLitres on Saturday 2nd April 21:57

[FreeLitres]

From the example door in store, the large hinge holes (35mm?) were already there. Any drilling would have to be in the cabinet if the door holes are in different position in the old and new doors.

The scope of the job will become more clear when the doors arrive and I can compare them to the old ones.

Now, getting the handles on straight will be a whole new matter!

[FreeLitres]

Advice please guys...

The handle suggestion on the B&Q is as pictured



Those long handles are quite expensive, but I can find shorter handles in my budget.

My problem areas are where draws are above doors, as the handles would ideally offer purchase in the moddle of a drawer but near the edge furthest from the door hinge.

The main options are in the following pic.

Before I order the handles, would shorter ones work in any of these configurations? Which one?

[FreeLitres]

I just ordered these



Possibly the same as yours?

[FreeLitres]

Yep - holes in the new doors don't line up with the new ones, so all the hinges in the cabinets have to be moved.

Lets the games begin!

[FreeLitres]

I've got a hinge drill jig in the post.

I've already got the handles on the draw fronts using a jig and finally got them mounted on the drawer. The clips on the dummy drawer under the sink just shattered though as they are so old, so I'll have to order some new ones. The drawers and handles looks very straight so far!

Really want to get the doors on, but better wait until that jig arrives. Looks tricky to get the measurements right.