Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Style

One simple change elevates kitchen cabinet design

Wood paneling is a perfect way to update a tired kitchen

Julie Scagell
By

The kitchen is one of those rooms that’s always fun to update. Whether it’s flooring, decor, or backsplash, giving our kitchen a facelift is always money well spent. If you’re tired of older-looking kitchen cabinets, one easy and relatively inexpensive way to transform their look is by adding wood paneling to the back of glass kitchen cabinets. Not only does it add dimension and depth to your kitchen design (and is a pretty low-stress way to change up your kitchen), adding wood is on trend and will increase the value of your home.

@lizlovery

DIY Cabinet Upgrade! Adding wood panelling to the backs of your glass panel cabinets are a simple way to add some dimension & style to orginary cabinets! ? #diy #diyproject #kitchendiy #kitchenhack #kitchendesign #kitchendecor #shelfstyling #interiordesign #interiordesigner #homeinteriors #homedecor #decor #decorating #homediy

♬ Wings – Jonas Brothers

Wood paneling in action

TikToker Liz Lovery showed her followers how it’s done and the immediate impact dark wood paneling can make behind glass cabinets. “DIY cabinet upgrade!” she wrote next to her video. “Adding wood paneling to the back of your glass panel cabinets [is] a simple way to add some dimension & style to ordinary cabinets.” You can see how the dishware and other decor immediately pops in front of the dark background, offering a dimension the plain white backs didn’t before. If you have darker wood cabinets, you could paint the wood paneling a lighter ivory or pale yellow to give contrast to the cabinets.

Related

Other uses for wood paneling

If you don’t have glass cabinets or don’t like having the inside of your cabinets on display, there are plenty of other places you can put paneling to make a statement in your kitchen. If you have a wood center island, consider placing wood paneling on the back of the island that faces outward. You can pick a standard vertical pattern or mix things up with chevron or herringbone to give it some depth.

Recommended Videos

Another option is a feature wall where you could mix up patterns and have vertical on the bottom in varying lengths and then herringbone on the top, like this interior designer, Savage DIY Mom, created.

Finally, one trend that’s really taken off is wood paneling on the ceiling. You could play with a fun pattern in the middle of the kitchen, surrounding your main light fixture, or the ceiling above your dining space if you have one. It draws the eye up and is a stunning addition to any space.

Check your references

If you don’t feel comfortable adding wood paneling to your kitchen cabinets, find a reputable contractor who can install them on your behalf. There is a lot of precision in the work, so ensuring you have someone that comes with a lot of references and you can see the work they’ve done in the past is important. Read reviews and ask to talk to previous customers. Your kitchen is the heart of your home, and a space used daily for entertaining, meals, and family time, so you want to make sure the work that’s being done is something you can be proud to showcase.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Julie Scagell
Julie Scagell
Contributor
I am a freelance writer based in Minneapolis, MN. My passions include my dogs, talking about my dogs, and taking pictures of…
7 appealing driveway design ideas that will make your home exterior look luxe
Spruce up your exterior with these driveway ideas that are sure to make your home stand out
Modern house with brick driveway

When it comes to adding curb appeal and updating the landscaping, one exterior project that’s often neglected is the driveway. However, the driveway happens to be one of the first things people see when approaching a home. It takes up a lot of space and can easily look unappealing in your exterior design. That’s why updating your driveway is so important, as it can enhance curb appeal and make your home exterior look luxe and elegant.

While it’s easy to opt for a classic gravel, cement, or asphalt driveway, most hotels and luxury homes choose to create a driveway that feels more elegant and detailed. So today, we’re sharing tips on how you can update a boring driveway and turn it into a statement piece on the property. Check out these seven driveway ideas and maybe one will hit the mark with you.
Use brick instead of cement or asphalt
One of the best ways to update a drab driveway is to use brick instead of cement or asphalt. Cement, asphalt, and gravel are the most common driveway materials, but all of them can appear boring or like an afterthought in your exterior design. Instead, why not mimic hotels and luxury homes by opting for brick driveway pavers instead? Brick driveways look luxe, and there are several colors and patterns to choose from. Depending on your exterior palette, you can opt for red, cream, brown, or tan bricks to add some more color to your home’s exterior.

Read more
This incredible app helps you find furniture that looks like it’s from premium brands – for a fraction of the cost
Trying to save money on furniture in your next redesign? This app can help you find name-brand lookalikes
Living room with multiple types of lighting

When searching for new and affordable furniture to spruce up your interior, it can be frustrating to find the right items for your design. Of course, you want quality pieces that look stunning, but sometimes the name brand isn’t always best for you or your situation. While luxury and name brands often have what seem to be the perfect items, the prices aren’t always suitable for your home furnishing budget. That’s why apps like Craftle have come to your aid.

Craftle is a unique app that may be a game changer in your next redesign. If you’re looking for ways to save money while still creating a luxe look in your space, then this could be just what you need.
What is Craftle?
Craftle is an app that works to find similar or lookalike products for a fraction of the price of the original name-brand item. For example, if you love a West Elm sofa but don’t love the high price tag, Craftle’s lookalike finder can search for a similar sofa design for a cheaper price. If you’re looking to save money in your next redesign or are working with a limited budget, Craftle’s lookalike search finder could save you hundreds.

Read more
How to pull off a chic black and white kitchen (without it feeling cold)
Your black and white kitchen doesn't have to feel cold or flat. Here's how to style a chic design
Black and white industrial kitchen

For modern enthusiasts, the black and white kitchen is a chic and sophisticated design choice. Simple, clean lines that feel minimal and sleek while maintaining an elegant and luxe touch without appearing overly gaudy are why the black and white kitchen has prevailed in many interiors. However, styling it the right way is more challenging than most people think.

The greatest issue homeowners face with styling the black and white kitchen is finding themselves with an end result that feels cold or flat. It’s easy to wind up with an overwhelming space that feels too stark and barren. So today, we’re giving you the tips you need to achieve a chic black and white kitchen that doesn’t feel cold or depressing.
Be intentional about the color balance
The use of color can make or break your black and white kitchen. The palette needs to feel intentional and work with the space. You’ll need to determine whether you want more black in the space, more white, or a balance of both. A mostly black kitchen with a hint of white can feel more moody, intimate, and luxurious, while the alternative may feel more bright, clean, and refreshing. A balance between the two colors, if done correctly, can look ultra modern and sleek.

Read more