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Hi everyone!
I’ve just bought my first house and I’m looking for advice on budget-friendly ways to improve the kitchen. A full renovation isn’t in the cards just yet, but I’d love to make some updates. The cabinets are MDF with laminate.
From what I’ve read, adding molding (probably not directly around the edge as the kitchen has odd blank spots but around the centre) and repainting could make a big difference, and I’ve seen people use epoxy or wood glue to cover water damage and swelling. Has anyone done a similar project with good results? I’d really appreciate any tips or advice!
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @FreddyRenovates. It's wonderful to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about restoring cabinet doors.
Renovating particle board and laminate cabinets can definitely be a rewarding DIY project, but it's important to manage expectations as a decent amount of work will be involved in cosmetically restoring the cabinet doors. If the water damage or swelling isn't too severe, you could try touching up the exposed areas with white paint or a filler to hide imperfections and make the surface less noticeable. However, this approach may not provide a long-term solution, as the cabinets could deteriorate further over time.
If you're looking for a more lasting improvement, you could consider replacing the doors entirely. Replacing the doors would be a bit more of an investment compared to repairing them, as it involves costs for the new doors, hinges, and installation. However, when you factor in the materials like glue, fillers, undercoat, paint, screws, and the time spent, repairing them could end up being just as expensive, and you'd still be left with cabinets that might not hold up in the long run.
Ultimately, if a full renovation isn't in the cards just yet, you might want to patch up the visible damage with paint for now, and then plan for a door replacement when you're ready for a bigger update. Either way, adding moulding can certainly make a noticeable difference and freshen up the look.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
