The 11 Best Affordable Products For Refreshing Dated Wood Cabinets

Dated wood cabinets can really detract from the aesthetic appeal of your kitchen. You may have even tried to compensate for the old cabinets by DIYing a stylish kitchen backsplash or adding some affordable under-cabinet lighting from IKEA. However, because the cabinets are such a prominent part of your kitchen, it is hard to reach your design vision by leaving them untouched. Unfortunately, the cost to refinish your kitchen cabinets may not exactly be in your budget right now.

The good news is that this doesn't mean you're out of luck and just have to accept your cabinets in their current state. There are actually several affordable products that can help you refresh the look of those dated wood cabinets. We researched some of the top products on the market that will allow you to add more aesthetic appeal to your kitchen, without splurging on a major kitchen renovation project. To help us curate our list, we closely considered customer reviews. All of our selections have a rating of at least 4.1 stars, based on a minimum of 900 reviews. You'll find a more detailed explanation of our methodology later, but, in the meantime, read on to discover which products you might want to add to your cart to breathe some new life into your outdated cabinets — and your kitchen as a whole.

If the wood cabinets in your kitchen are several years old, then they've likely been marred with scratches over the years. The finish of the wood may have also lost its luster. The Rejuvenate Cabinet and Furniture Restorer may be the solution you need to address both of these issues. Its thick formula works to fill in scratches, while also helping bring back the shine of the wood. It is safe to use on sealed hardwood cabinets and comes with a washable and reusable microfiber mitt to aid with application. This restorer is also reasonably priced, costing just $16 for a 16-ounce bottle that covers up to 650 square feet. Rejuvenate recommends removing any dust, stains, oil, and other debris from the surface before applying. In fact, the Rejuvenate Cabinet And Furniture Cleaner is a great option.

Overall, customers are pleased with the performance of this cabinet restorer from Rejuvenate. It has a 4.2-star rating, which is based on nearly 5,000 reviews. Moreover, 61% of all reviewers gave it a 5-star rating. A few of the features that customers highlight include how easy it is to apply, the shine it delivers to their wooden surfaces, and its overall value for the money. One satisfied user shared, "My cat had scratched the wood cabinets while climbing above them. This did a great job making the scratch marks almost impossible to see. It worked so quickly."

When you're completing DIY repairs, you can use either wood filler or putty. Wood putty, such as the Minwax Wood Putty, is typically recommended for finished wood surfaces, such as cabinets. So, it may be your best bet for repairing any imperfections, such as holes, that are negatively impacting the look of your cabinets. The putty, which retails for only $7, comes in 10 different finishes, helping you find a color that will blend in with the stain on your cabinets. The formula is non-hardening, which means that it will stay pliable after you've completed the repair and won't shrink or crack.

Many customers have positive things to say about this wood putty from Minwax. It has a 4.1-star rating, which is based on more than 6,000 reviews. 58% of reviewers deemed it worthy of a 5-star rating (16% gave it 4 stars), with many customers praising its ability to fill small holes and its overall ease of application. "I heard about this product from a video I watched on YouTube and I decided to purchase it to do a little patchwork on a cabinet. This product worked just as it was supposed to. You would never know that there was a little crack in my cabinet," wrote one reviewer.

If your cabinets are looking dull, it might be time to give them a fresh new look. And, fortunately, this can be achieved as a DIY project that won't break the bank. The Heirloom Traditions All-In-One Paint retails for $130 and will allow you to upgrade your cabinets by giving them a new color. With more than 40 color options — from neutral creams to bold reds — you can customize the look to match your preferences and coordinate with the other design elements in your kitchen. This is an all-in-on paint, which means that you don't even need to worry about sanding, priming, or putting a finishing coat over it. Following the helpful tips and tricks for painting wood cabinets couldn't be easier with this product.

Nearly 10,000 customers have taken the time to review this cabinet paint. It holds an average rating of 4.5 stars. But, possibly even more telling is the fact that 76% of users have given it 5 stars. Several share that they are impressed with the overall quality and durability of the paint, as well as how easy it is to use. Here's what one user said: "I decided to do a DIY project in my kitchen instead of hiring someone to paint my cabinets. Using this Heirloom All in One product saved me a lot of money and I am very pleased with the finished product!"

If purchasing new solid wood cabinets was in the budget right now, would you choose the same wood or grain pattern that you currently have? If you're looking for a change, you may want to try the Dimoon Wood Grain Wallpaper. This peel and stick wallpaper comes in five different color/finish options to help you give your existing cabinets a whole new look. Each option offers a realistic wood grain that may fool guests into thinking you've completely renovated your kitchen. The sheets are self-adhesive, so you don't need to worry about dealing with any messy glue. If you change your mind or want to try something new, they can also be removed without leaving behind a sticky residue. These contact paper sheets are reasonably-priced, too: They start at under $10.

This wood grain contact paper from Dimoon comes highly recommended by most customers who have tried it. Nearly 5,000 customers have given it an average rating of 4.3 stars. Plus, 69% of users gave it either a 5-star rating. Many are impressed with how nice it looks and how easy it is to apply. "This stuff made my kitchen go from ugly to expensive and gorgeous. I love it! Contact paper has come a long way since my childhood. Everyone thinks I stained the cabinets. This is a great choice for renters like me because I can't make permanent changes. Unreal how amazing it looks now," raved one customer.

If you've had your wood cabinets for several years, it is likely that their finish is no longer pristine. If there are any areas where the stain is chipped or peeling, or there are small holes or scratches on the surface of the cabinets, then you might want to give this SEISSO Wood Repair Kit a try. The kit retails for only $22 and includes 12 resin repair fillers, each with a different color to help you find the best match for your cabinets. Application is easy; you just need to squeeze a small amount of the repair resin into the imperfection. Then, use the included tail scraper to level it out and blend everything together.

The majority of customers who have tried this wood repair kit are satisfied with their results. More than 3,000 customers have reviewed it, giving it a 4.2-star rating. 62% of all reviewers deemed it worthy of a 5-star rating. In their reviews, many shared that the kit was easy to use and did a good job blending in with their cabinets. One customer who tried this kit on their kitchen cabinets said, "My husband and I had tried furniture markers, crayons and stain to fix this cabinet! It never looked good. Finally tried this and the improvement is amazing. Just did it today, so not sure on how it holds up, but fingers crossed!"

Even if your old cabinets have made it through the years without getting nicked, dinged, or scratched, their finish is likely nowhere near as vibrant and glossy as it once was. If this is the case for you, then you might want to give this CARGEN Beeswax a try. It is made using only natural beeswax, making it an eco-friendly and safe option. When you apply it to your cabinets, it can help bring back their shine and finish. The wax works to loosen and remove dirt, grease, and other gunk that has built up over time — just apply it, let it sit for up to four hours, and then wipe it off. For just $12, you'll receive three jars of beeswax and two sponges to aid with applying the wax to your cabinets.

With more than 12,000 reviews and a rating of 4.4 stars, this beeswax looks to be a solid pick. Additionally, the vast majority of reviewers — 67% — awarded it with 5 stars. Several customers highlight how effective the wax was at cleaning their cabinets and restoring their finish. One customer wrote, "We are totally impressed with this product. The wooden cabinets we inherited were in miserable condition with age and water stressed. I just keep walking back in there to look at them again. We will be buying more of this wonderful jar of magic!"

If you're looking for a quick and easy fix for minor imperfections, such as scratches or small nicks, the DEWEL Furniture Touch-Up Markers and Wax Sticks may fit the bill. The kit, which retails for $17, includes touch-up markers and wax sticks to help you disguise scratches, holes, small gaps, or discolored areas. Eight markers with eight corresponding wax sticks in range of shade options are included to help you find the right match for your wood. Once applied, the wax or markers take only seconds to dry, so your cabinets will be ready for immediate use.

63% of reviewers decided that this furniture repair kit was worthy of a 5-star rating. With all of its more than 2,700 reviews, it has a 4.3-star average. Overall, customers are pleased with how easy the markers and wax sticks are to use, the variety of colors that are included in the kit, and how well they work for hiding imperfections in a wood finish. "Really very happy with these. Great value for what you get and the one color I needed matched so perfectly. Had one large gash in a corner of a cabinet drawer that is now completely hidden along with any other scratches," shared one happy customer.

The outside of old cabinets is not the only place that you'll see evidence of aging. The interiors can also start looking dingy as the years pass. This is just one reason to consider using shelf liners in your kitchen cabinets. In addition to refreshing the look, they'll also help protect your cabinets and keep them cleaner. These Gorilla Grip DripGuard Drawer and Shelf Liners, which start at around $20, are available in 13 different colors and patterns. This allows you to create a custom look to match your personal preferences and coordinate with the rest of the kitchen decor. Choose from solid options, such as white, navy, or gray, or introduce a fun pattern with the vintage rose, marble, or spiral gray and turquoise design. The liners are water- and spill-resistant, making it easy to easily clean up messes. They also have textured construction on each side to ensure that they stay in place, you won't need to worry about them leaving any sticky residue behind. Simply trim them to fit your shelves and they'll be ready to use.

Based on nearly 9,000 reviews and a 4.6-star rating, the majority of customers are glad they decided to try these liners. Moreover, nearly 90% of reviewers gave them a 4- or 5- star rating (75% gave them 5 stars and 14% gave them 4 stars). In their reviews, customers shared that they were impressed by the quality, ease of cutting, and overall look of these liners. Here's what one person had to say: "The product made my 70-year old wooden cupboards look updated and fresh. It was easy to cut the liner to fit, and clean-up is a snap."

The J-B Weld KwikWood Epoxy Putty Stick is designed to make minor wood repairs a breeze. It is a mixable epoxy that you can use to fill in holes or gouges, hide scratches, or even reshape a chipped cabinet corner. The epoxy is easy to use with its 25-minute work time, providing you ample time to mold it into place for a seamless repair. Once you're finished working, it requires only one hour to cure. Once cured, you can paint over it — or use one of the wood touch-up markers discussed above — to match the finish of your cabinets. The affordable retail price of just $11 makes this product even more appealing.

Most people who have tried this epoxy putty stick are pleased with the results. It has a 4.5-star rating, which is based on more than 7,500 reviews. 72% of users even gave it 5 stars, with many highlighting its ease of use and ability to help them complete minor repairs. One individual who tried it on their cabinets shared, "My dog had chewed the bottom corner of my kitchen cabinet, so it was more rounded than square. I was having a painter come paint them so I used this to rebuild the square corner. So easy to use and you can't tell at all now that it's been painted!"

Part of the appeal of upgrading to new cabinets is the soft-close feature they offer. However, if a full cabinet replacement isn't in your budget, you don't have to accept the constant slamming sound every time your cabinets are shut. Depending on the type of hinges on your cabinets, it might be time to upgrade them with these DecoBasics Full Overlay Soft Close Cabinet Hinges. These hinges are affordably priced too, starting at $10 for a set of two. You'll pay an even lower per-item price if you have several cabinets to upgrade and purchase a larger quantity. Each hinge is adjustable in three ways to ensure the ideal fit, and features durable steel construction.

More than 900 customers gave these a 4.6-star rating, with 77% deeming them worthy of 5 stars. Several reviewers praise the value for the money, ease of installation, and overall quality. "I bought these to upgrade my twenty-five year old cabinets and they work great! It took about five minutes to swap each pair out and now the cabinet doors don't slam shut anymore." wrote one reviewer.

If you're looking for stunning ways to update wood cabinets without any paint, consider swapping out the old and dated handles with something more modern, like the Ravinte Cabinet Pulls. The pulls are available in seven different finishes — black, brushed brass, gray, green, pink, satin nickel, and white — to help you achieve the look you're after. They start at $7, so you can make that statement without breaking the bank.

Overall, customers are very happy with these modern pulls. They have nearly 36,000 reviews and an average rating of 4.7 stars. 84% of customers gave them a 5-star rating, with many highlighting them as functional, attractive, and a good value for the money. One satisfied customer wrote, "My kitchen has old honey oak wood cabinets and drawers and I despised them for so long. But changing the handles from gold to black has made a tremendous difference already. And definitely elevated kitchen look." See? Sometimes even a small swap can make a huge difference!

We used customer reviews to help us compile our list of the best products for refreshing dated wood cabinets. All of the products on our list have been reviewed by at least 900 customers and hold an average rating of 4.1 stars or higher. Beyond solely considering the overall rating, we also took a closer look at the breakdown of reviews for each product. 74% of total reviewers gave each of these selections a 4- or 5-star rating, indicating their overall satisfaction with their quality and performance.

Everyone has different DIY comfort levels, and the right product for one set of cabinets may not be ideal for a different one. For this reason, we also sought to include a variety of product types to ensure each individual could find a solution that would match their preferences, needs, and budget.