3 creative alternatives to buying new cabinets in 2026

Want to get more out of creative alternatives buying cabinets without the guesswork? Below we walk through the essentials in plain language, with practical steps you can use right away.

Key Takeaways

• What can you do if your cabinets genuinely require replacing but your budget says ‘no can do’?
• In recent years, applying reclaimed wood from centuries-old barns for new building and remodeling has increased in popularity.
• Worth noting: coupled with this demand and the cost of salvaging and trucking reclaimed wood, it’s become less budget-friendly as a remodeling resource.
• Here are some less costly open shelving solutions that may be easier to find: New wood that looks like old.

Is Creative Alternatives Buying Cabinets Worth It?

If you’ve been after alternatives to purchasing new cabinets, you’re probably aware of some of the typical methods you can spruce up your old ones , paint, faux finishes, new hardware, moldings, doors or complete cabinet refacing. These are all excellent methods to keep your present cabinets, especially if the cabinet boxes are solid wood and in solid condition, but some cabinets may be beyond hope.

• If you wish the look of old barn wood, your can ‘rough up’ new lumber by applying a variety of objects to provide it a random distressed appearance.
• Then, lightly brush on primer.
• More importantly, paint the boards in the desired color and shades to match your decorating vision of weather-beaten siding, leaving each previous coat of paint partially visible to achieve that well-worn look.

Where the Real Savings Hide

Old or new crates. Sturdy crates securely attached to the wall with the openings facing out create rustic storage choices.

• You can leave the wood raw, stain or paint it.
• Remember that if you don’t like that look for the kitchen, crates are excellent on the walls of the laundry, mudroom, finished basement bar area or the guest bathroom.
• Purchased new at Home Depot, they cost only about $11 each.

A Closer Look at Creative Alternatives Buying Cabinets

Used windows and doors. Windows make interesting glass cabinet doors.

• As a rule, doors can be used for the sides of DIY-built, freestanding cabinets or as countertops for cabinetry in a family room.
• Equip mudrooms, kitchens and playrooms with a set of school lockers.
• You can refurbish them with a fresh coat of paint or leave them as-is to reveal off their vintage character.

What to Know About Creative Alternatives Buying Cabinets

Depending on the width and condition of the slats, you can apply them for narrow shelves to hold small items such as spice bottles, tchotchkes and small toiletries or to create bead board for cabinet doors. In short, a highly sought after material for all types of DIY projects, pallets are getting harder to source, and you may even have to pay for them.

• They make highly interesting shelving, but depending on where they originate, they could have been treated with dangerous pesticides , not something you necessarily wish indoors.
• Repurpose freestanding furniture With an empty expanse of wall space, you can apply repurposed vintage furniture as additional cabinetry or to replace a section of wall and base cabinets.
• Armoires, china cupboards, chests of drawers and sideboards , to name a few possibilities , can all be converted into suitable storage that matches, complements or contrasts with the style of existing cabinetry.

How Creative Alternatives Buying Cabinets Really Works

Worth noting: for the best deals, source pieces at flea markets, garage sales, Craigslist, furniture consignment and thrift shops , or best yet, free from another room in your own home. One couple repurposed a home entertainment center that was too ’90s to stay in their family room and turned it into kitchen wall cabinets with a couple of coats of primer and paint.

• They built a bench out of small cabinets to bridge the empty floor space between the two towers of cabinetry where the TV once lived.
• By pushing the dining table over to meet it, they created stationary seating against the wall, which takes up less space than chairs that have to be pulled out at mealtimes.
• More importantly, repurposing an old china cabinet by separating the hutch from the base offers possibilities as both wall and base cabinets, either together or separated and used in two different areas of your home.

Getting the Most From Creative Alternatives Buying Cabinets

You can refinish the hutch and hang it on a wall over the kitchen counter or laundry machines. Apply the bottom half as a vanity in the bathroom or as a set of base cabinets or island in the kitchen.

• Similarly, you can transform a dresser or sidebar, with some adjustments and additions, into a kitchen island or bathroom vanity.
• Remember that score bargain remodeling materials A more budget-friendly resource than reclaimed wood dealers, Habitat for Humanity Re-Stores sell used building materials typically donated by professional and DIY remodelers.
• New items reveal up each day, so if you don’t find what you’re after right away, keep trying.

Tips That Make a Difference

You may even be able to source wood cabinets, cabinet components such as hinges and pulls, doors and windows. The cabinets that typically fit between the top of the microwave or refrigerator and the bulkhead make excellent mudroom or entryway benches to hold shoes, boots or school backpacks.

• As a rule, if you decide to keep your old kitchen cabinets or you purchase sturdy, used cabinets , and wish to provide them a facelift with paint or other finishes , get creative with the doors.
• Provide them a unique look with the addition of inexpensive moldings, mosaics or chicken wire inlays and mismatched door and drawer pulls.
• Take off the doors altogether; cover the interior back wall of the cabinets with removable wallpaper.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

You might even wish to add some LED lighting under, above, or in the cabinets from a bit of drama. In short, if your heart is set on brand new cabinets and shelving or you wish a more contemporary look, turn to IKEA.

With some straightforward DIY skills, a limited budget and a little imagination , or inspiration from online posts of IKEA ‘hacks’ , you can turn their basic cabinets and shelves into storage that’s not only fresh but praiseworthy. : 20 pointers to assist you have a profitable garage sale.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I save money on creative alternatives buying cabinets?

Compare prices across a few retailers, look for active coupon codes, and time bigger buys around sales events. These are all excellent methods to keep your present cabinets, especially if the cabinet boxes are solid wood and in solid condition, but some cabinets may be beyond hope.

Is it worth shopping around for creative alternatives buying cabinets?

Usually yes. If you wish the look of old barn wood, your can ‘rough up’ new lumber by applying a variety of objects to provide it a random distressed appearance.

What should I check before buying?

Read the terms, confirm any code still works, and factor in shipping or returns. Then, lightly brush on primer.

Smart Ways to Save More on Creative Alternatives Buying Cabinets

• Pair cashback with a coupon so you save twice on the same order.
• Stack a coupon code with an existing sale whenever the store allows it.
• Sign up for the retailer newsletter to catch first time and seasonal discounts.
• Compare the final price including shipping, not just the headline number.
• Check for student, military, or first order offers you may qualify for.

Final Thoughts

Before you check out, line up creative alternatives buying cabinets against current promotions and any codes you can stack. Small habits like these add up to real savings over a year.

Originally published at clark.com.