Kitchen Cabinetry Remodel...Is this too rediculous?

I am hoping to remodel my kitchen on a very small budget. I really like the shaker style wooden stained cabinet doors, but mine are an older looking style and the honey oak stain is coated with almost 20 years of grime, sun, and wear (DIRTY!). The other day while opening up one of my cabinet doors I noticed how beautifully preserved the color and stain of the inside of the door was, and that it was...shaker style!!

Naturally, my imagination ran wild as I considered the possibilities: using the inside of the cabinet doors as the "new" outside! I LOVE the look of the inside of the cabinets. It would save me hours and the stress of sanding and re-staining my oak cabinetry. Our home is "starter" level to say the least (pretty much renter grade), and I'm not sure I hate the cabinets enough to invest much.

But alas, the problem: Where the cabinet hinges were mounted there are two very ugly holes. Not sure what to do about these. I was considering some type of faux exposed hinges, maybe a mission style kind to cover up the holes. I cut out some card stock and taped it up to get an idea of what it would look like (This by no means is the final quality, of course, just a visualization tool!). My husband is unsure. I kind of like it, but wonder if I'm losing my mind.

What are your opinions on the appearance of the hinges? Keep in mind, the door faces will be shaker style, not what is pictured. I haven't flipped the doors yet, in case I truly am losing my mind!

Are there any ways you wonderful people can think of to mask these holes shy of painting the cabinets white (not a big fan of painting wood). I would be open to re-staining them, but have heard that wood filler doesn't take stain the same and think the large holes would stand out like a sore thumb. Some type of hinge seems the best to me at this point. Any ideas on styles or colors?

I am planning to also redo the blue-grey countertops and would appreciate ideas on that as a secondary suggestion. I was thinking something darker.

Just to reiterate, this is a very low-level home and I am just trying to love my kitchen in an affordable way. Would truly appreciate your opinion on the feasibility of my "cabinet flip" idea. Thanks!

 

Welcome to the forums! The inside of the door does not have the same profile as the exterior, plus you have the hinge holes that you would never successfully cover. Leave the interior as it is and finish the exterior. I know it is a lot more work, but you will be much more satisfied.

 

With a little care and expertise you can use colored putty to fill the holes and make them hard to spot BUT I can't imagine a door hung backwards working correctly. If you really want to change look of the doors I'd consider making [or buying] new doors in the style you want.