Why We Kept the Cabinets in This Kitchen Makeover
Disclosure: This post may contain recommended products from various brands and retailers. Some links may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. I only share pieces I truly love and believe will bring warmth and beauty into your home. These commissions help fund this blog, allowing me to continue sharing expert interior design recommendations, insights, and inspiration. Thank you for your support!
When we first walked through the Richmond Avenue property, a 1950s bungalow full of character, coved ceilings, and walnut panelling, we saw the potential immediately.
Like many mid-century homes, it needed updating, but it also had features worth celebrating. And nowhere was that more apparent than in the kitchen.
In a world of gut renovations and total overhauls, we made a deliberate choice with this project: we kept the original kitchen cabinets.
Not because it was easier. Not because it was cheaper (although that was a nice bonus). We kept them because they were worth saving — and because preserving them helped us meet the two biggest goals for this home: honouring its history and maximizing its investment potential.
A Kitchen with Good Bones
The original cabinetry in this kitchen was made of solid wood, with raised panel doors that were typical of the 1950s era — durable, functional, and full of vintage charm.
While the cabinets were structurally sound, they came with a few quirks. The hardware was centred on each door (a detail we decided to keep as a nod to the original, though updated in finish), and the stove had been installed tightly against the wall with no counter space.
Still, the cabinets had symmetry, personality, and proportions worth saving — especially the uppers, which followed the curves of the coved ceiling beautifully.
Completely replacing the cabinetry would have meant tearing out the plaster ceilings, reworking the layout, and losing a built-in pantry cleverly repurposed from a former basement stairwell.
Instead, we chose to work with what was already there.
How We Updated Them
We removed the outdated hardware and replaced it with clean matte black pulls, still centred on the doors to honour the original design. Some of the lower cabinets were reconfigured to create a new kitchen island with a built-in under-counter microwave.
Cabinets are often one of the most expensive components of a kitchen renovation, but in this case, a full replacement simply was not necessary.
We refinished each cabinet with a soft, neutral paint colour that tied into the home’s overall palette. The matte black hardware paired beautifully with the black faucet, lighting, and window frames for a modern, cohesive look.
We also replaced the countertops and backsplash with fresh materials that complemented the new cabinetry colour while bringing in added brightness and texture. An under-mount sink and pull-down black faucet brought extra style and functionality to the space.
Opening the Space Without a Major Rebuild
Originally, the kitchen was semi-enclosed, which made it feel disconnected from the rest of the home.
Rather than gut the entire layout, we made a simple but strategic change: we opened up the wall to the dining room to create a better flow between spaces.
This allowed for more light, better sightlines, and a stronger connection between the kitchen and main living areas — all without moving the main appliances or completely reworking the floorplan.
By keeping the cabinetry and investing in this layout change instead, we delivered more impact for the budget.
Preserving the Coved Ceilings
One of the home’s most unique architectural features was its original coved plaster ceilings.
Replacing the kitchen cabinetry would have meant disturbing that plaster work and potentially compromising those graceful curved transitions.
Instead, we preserved the ceiling and allowed it to remain a defining feature of the space.
This small decision helped retain the home’s mid-century charm and gave the kitchen a feeling of warmth, craftsmanship, and softness that is rare in newer construction.
Letting the Light In
One of the most subtle but impactful changes was how much brighter the space became.
The new soft cabinetry colour, white countertops, and polished ceramic tile floor helped bounce light from the large kitchen window throughout the space.
Even with the same general layout, the kitchen now feels open, airy, and welcoming.
This mirrors what we explored in How to Make a Small Space Feel Bigger with Interior Design, where the use of light, colour, and materials transformed compact areas into open and liveable spaces.
Blending the Old and the New
The Richmond Avenue project was all about balance.
We wanted to celebrate the home’s original features — like walnut panelling and vintage fireplaces — while making sure everything felt fresh and functional for modern living.
That philosophy extended to the kitchen, where preserved cabinets now sit comfortably alongside sleek new appliances, contemporary lighting, and updated finishes.
If you enjoy the blending of past and present, you might also appreciate our post on The Best Sustainable Interior Design Trends Right Now, where we explore how thoughtful updates can be both stylish and environmentally conscious.
Why This Strategy Makes Sense
Keeping the existing cabinets allowed us to:
Save thousands of dollars
Preserve unique architectural details
Reduce waste and support sustainability
Reallocate budget to layout improvements and lighting
Honour the character of the home while improving liveability
For homeowners considering a kitchen renovation, it is worth evaluating what you already have. Well-built cabinets, a solid layout, and period features may simply need a refresh rather than a total replacement.
Sometimes, a coat of paint, some modern hardware, and new countertops can deliver just as much impact — as we also discussed in Decorating with Mirrors: Design Tips That Reflect Style, where small updates bring big visual payoffs.
Final Thoughts
Not every kitchen renovation needs to start from scratch.
At Richmond Avenue, the original cabinets told a story — and we chose to keep telling it.
By honouring the home’s history, investing wisely in key updates, and preserving craftsmanship, we delivered a kitchen that feels modern, warm, and grounded.
Whether you're updating your own space or designing with resale in mind, the question to ask is:
What can be kept, and what truly needs to change?
You might be surprised at the beauty, character, and value already in your home.
“I believe that if you are true to expressing yourself, coupled with the right amount of discipline and routine, your space can reflect your personality, and you can turn your home into your haven.”
The Complete Client Experience Template System
Discover a comprehensive, fully customisable suite of templates designed to guide you through every phase of your interior design projects.
From onboarding to approvals, proposals to presentations, this system supports a smoother, more polished process at every step.
Whether you're just starting out or refining your workflow, these templates help you lead with clarity, save time, and elevate your client experience from day one.