The Stars Of Bargain Block Explain How To Refinish Cabinets On A Budget

If your cabinets are feeling more than a little old-fashioned, it can be tempting to toss them out altogether. However, as the stars of HGTV's "Bargain Block" — Evan Thomas and Keith Bynum — demonstrate, there's a way to make them look a whole lot newer. You'll save a ton of money in the process, too. All you'll need to do is paint and add in some new hardware. Depending on your existing setup, replacing your countertops could be worthwhile, too. 

Back in 2021, the "Bargain Block" team worked on a small cottage in a neighborhood with lower property values. As a result, they needed to cut costs wherever possible to get even a small return on their investment. Right from the start, Thomas observed that the kitchen cabinets were one area where they should be more frugal. "Cabinets and tiling are two of the most costly finishes so being able to save the existing ones goes a long way," Bynum agreed (via YouTube). Luckily, most of the cabinets were in decent shape and they were able to use what they had without compromising on a modern-looking space.

With a few tweaks, the cabinets turned out great. Best of all, though, is that it doesn't take being an HGTV star or even a professional to follow their lead. On top of the necessary materials being cost-effective, you can discount most of the labor costs, too. Thomas and Bynum's formula is easy enough for just about anyone to DIY.

First up on Keith Bynum and Evan Thomas' journey to modernizing the existing cabinets was a fresh coat of paint. Bynum's top pick was a bold and decidedly modern black. That could have lent itself to being a little on the trendy side but by choosing to distress it, it all felt much more timeless. If you're not a fan of black and even distressing won't change your mind, play around with whatever color inspires you. Once you have an idea of colors, General Finishes comes in 32 different shades, available on Amazon for just under $50. 

Next was hardware. Bynum opted for sleek, silver drawer pulls. If you're thinking of trying the look yourself, you can snag a pack of 30 on Amazon for less than $25. You could also go for a classic knob, available in 30-packs in various colors on Amazon for under $40. If you want to get creative, pick fun, patterned ceramic knobs, available for $20.99 on Amazon. Whatever you end up choosing, the great thing about hardware is that on top of being low-cost, it's also easy enough to replace if you don't love how it looks. 

With new paint and hardware, Bynum and Thomas were able to keep even the original doors of the cabinets despite initially talking about replacing them. That allowed them to bypass yet another cost and additional effort. 

When refinishing cabinets, it's important to think about what the finished product will look like with your existing countertops. If you've opted for a neutral paint, like the black used by the "Bargain Block" stars, most countertop colors shouldn't be much of a problem. However, if you do feel as though you need a refresh, there are cost-effective ways of doing it. 

Attempting to DIY install real butcher block counters is risky but you can still recreate the look Keith Bynum and Evan Thomas achieved by making your own. Follow TikToker, @cedar_hill_builder's lead and use plywood and MDF board to DIY a faux version on a budget. Head to your local hardware store for the wood then grab a 4-pack of different stain shades off Amazon for $28.34 so you can adjust the countertop color to your preference. Be sure to seal the countertop once you're done, using food-grade mineral oil, like Seal It Green's Wood Master's Secret, available on Amazon for under $25. Just remember to reapply according to instructions. Is Butcher's Block not your thing? Another budget-friendly alternative is marble-lookalike, porcelain. It's not quite as DIY-appropriate, but Caesarstone estimates that porcelain is generally around $50 and $70 per square foot, minus labor. 

Even if Bynum and Thomas' aesthetic doesn't match your own, their formula of upgraded paint, hardware, and countertops is a great way to transform your kitchen. Best of all, you can do it without breaking the bank!