TikTok's Best & Worst Cabinet Renovation Ideas

One can argue that cabinets bring personality to your kitchen. For instance, distressed cabinets with brass hardware give a rustic vibe, while glossy, black cupboards exude a dramatic look. Pastel pink cabinets are absolutely perfect for those inspired by a 1950s look, whereas dark oak versions paired with crisp quartz countertops give you an edgy yet timeless look.

If your current cabinets don't represent your personal aesthetic, we think it might be time to make a change. You could buy new ones and hire professionals for the installation. However, there is a more cost-effective (and possibly more fun) option: taking on the project yourself. Prior to grabbing some paint and a hammer, check out these 10 TikToks to show you what (and what not) to do with your cabinets.

Those who are renting are unlikely to risk their security deposit for the sake of renovating their kitchen. Fortunately, like this TikTok user, you can use contact paper decorating hacks to liven up your space without angering your landlord. You have several options when choosing peel-and-stick contact paper for your cabinets. For instance, if you want a natural look, pick out something with a wood grain pattern, like Lativo's white wood grain contact paper. In addition, those who want a trendier kitchen can choose contact paper in the year's hottest color, sage green, like Yasinet's light green contact paper from Amazon.

After purchasing the contact paper of your choice, measure the cabinets and their frames. Using the measurements, trim the strips of the contact paper to the desired size. Carefully apply the paper onto the cabinets with a spackle knife.

There are a lot of variables that can come into play during a cabinet renovation. Don't unintentionally prolong the process by making a mistake picking your stain mid-renovation.

It's beneficial to select a stain in advance and do a test patch on one of your cabinet doors to find out if it looks good. You never know — you may come across the same pitfalls as this TikTok user. In the video, the home renovator shares that she accidentally chose two stains that weren't exactly what she wanted. While the situation is undeniably frustrating, it doesn't seem to be a huge deal, given that she only made changes to a single door. We recommend doing a patch test by removing, sanding, and staining part of only one door if you aren't sure yet what stain you'd like to use in your kitchen.

A change in color can be one of the most exciting and game-changing shifts for your kitchen cabinets and bring a completely new vibe to your space. But, don't paint directly onto glossy cabinets. Heed the advice of the creator of this TikTok video and sand your varnished cabinets before painting, as neglecting this step may leave you with a patchy paint job. For this task, get a hold of an electric hand sander. A simple sheet of sandpaper can also do the trick. Remember to always wear a mask while sanding, as wood dust and particles can adversely affect your health.

If you are not interested in hand-sanding, you can try using liquid sandpaper, like Klean-Strip Deglosser. When you apply the liquid deglosser to the surface, it doesn't strip the finish, but leaves behind a tacky surface that the paint can stick to. The end result won't be as refined as actually sanding the doors, but it will be pretty close.

The video above shows an individual skipping necessary prep work and spraying the cabinet doors in situ. While you may be impressed by the speed at which the paint job was completed, this is not best practice for painting cabinets. If you choose to spray paint your doors, you need to remove them first and bring them to a well-ventilated space. Then, you'll need to hang them in order to spray paint the front, back, and all of their sides evenly. Leaving them on the cabinets will make it extremely difficult to get all of their sides, as well as the face frame.

We've found that the optimal way to spray paint wood is to prime the surface by thoroughly cleaning and sanding it. Once that's completed, you can evenly coat the surface with your spray paint. Then check to see if the paint has dried and put the doors (and any hardware) back on.

Often, kitchen cabinets don't reach the ceiling. While this isn't necessarily a problem, extending your kitchen uppers can give you more storage space. Like this TikTok creator, you can finally use the once-vacant space by making boxes out of plywood.

After measuring the area, cut pieces of the plywood with a circular saw. Then, assemble them into boxes by drilling into angled pocket holes. You'll want to secure the boxes onto the wall and ceiling with a drill. Sand the wood and paint the surface the color of your choosing. If you prefer open shelving, you can stop here. However, if you'd like to add cabinet doors, you can either make them out of plywood or purchase some at a home improvement store.

While handleless cabinets do have a sleek design, they are not the easiest to get into. You could fix this by drilling on some handles and calling it a day. However, if you don't love using power tools or are renting your property, there's another option for you. As seen in this video, you can add knobs to any cabinet without drilling any holes. You'll first want to pick a no-drill cabinet handle that you believe would look best in your kitchen. For instance, DBTHTSK's pack of 10 cabinet drawer handles comes in a chic black, a gleaming gold, or a sleek silver.

 The TikTok user warns that it takes some strength to remove the handles once they are on the doors. For a less permanent solution, stick the handles on with easy-to-remove Command medium adhesive strips. Once you are satisfied with the alignment (use a level if you need it), stick the handles on.

Open shelving is a wonderful option if you have items that you've always wanted on display: Now your guests can finally get a good look at your collection of antique salt shakers!

Open shelving is not suitable for every kitchen. To see if it's right for your home, test it out by removing a few of your cabinet doors. While the doors are off, use your kitchen as you normally would for about a week to give you an idea of what the shelves will look like in your everyday life. If you love it, go ahead and take off the rest of the doors! However, if you think the space looks cluttered or seems like it may need too much upkeep, you can put the doors back on.

To freshen up the look of your flat cabinets, consider adding some trim. For this project, you'll first want to sand and prime the cabinet doors. Then, purchase wood molding and use a leveler to get everything even. Like the TikTok user in this example, you can secure the trim to the doors by using a brad nailer.

For a unique look, you can try painting the trim a contrasting color. For instance, a deep navy blue trim would look striking against glossy white cabinet doors. Just be sure to use plenty of painter's tape if you want to use multiple colors on your cabinets. After your paint has dried, you can apply your hardware (if applicable) to the doors.

Those who are completely renovating their kitchen can choose to place their cabinets anywhere they'd like. From a design standpoint, this can be great! However, those who lack experience in creating floor plans may come across a few issues. It's possible that you'll settle on a cabinet design that is visually appealing, but utterly impractical. For instance, this TikTok video showcases what can happen when practicality is not prioritized. Basically, you'll have a miserable time if you aren't able to open your cabinets, no matter how beautiful your kitchen renovation is.

To design a fashionable and functional kitchen, consider using free online tools like Smartdraw. With this website, you can design your room and get a better idea of how functional the space will be.

If you want something truly unique in your kitchen, visit your local thrift shop or antique store. Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist may also have some hidden gems. The individual who uploaded this TikTok video repurposed a pair of bookshelves into an interesting piece of cabinetry. According to the social media user, she wanted to create an affordable piece that exuded charm. In a separate video, the TikTok user showed that she created the piece by cutting the bookshelves with an electric hand saw to fit snugly between her kitchen counter and ceiling. If you are interested in refurbishing your wooden furniture before placing it in your kitchen, purchase sanding equipment, scraping tools, primer, and paint.

The TikTok user did not clarify whether she anchored the bookshelves to the wall. However, we recommend doing so by using L-brackets, an anchor, and a screwdriver. If you are installing the shelving over tiled walls, use a diamond carbide drill bit to prevent any cracks. You should also mark out exactly where you want the shelves before you get too enthusiastic with your screwdriver.