How to Update Your Kitchen with a Built-In Cabinet (Without Losing Your Mind or Your Style)
Are you staring at your outdated kitchen wondering where to even begin? I’ve been there — and trust me, it can feel overwhelming. Our kitchen? A full-on 1980s flashback renovation in a 1950 cozy cottage. And yes, the carpet is still there. I can hear you gasping through the screen. One friend actually said, “Wait... it's still here?” Yep. Until we’re ready to fully replace it, it stays. I’m frugal, and we’re updating our kitchen one step at a time, which I think a lot of people can relate to. Renovating doesn’t have to be all or nothing.
Today, I’m sharing how we created a built-in cabinet to add much-needed storage to our kitchen — without gutting the whole thing. It was a little messy, a little frustrating, and a whole lot of finagling, but in the end, it’s one of my favorite projects because my husband and I worked on it together. If you’re trying to figure out how to update your kitchen in a practical, budget-friendly, and creative way — this one’s for you.
Finding Inspiration in Unexpected Places
Before we dive into the DIY, you should know that inspiration strikes me in the strangest ways. Sure, I scroll through blogs and binge HGTV like the rest of the world, but sometimes an idea comes while I’m watching a Hallmark movie. I’ll zero in on the kitchen backsplash instead of the romantic plot. And I’ve even paused QVC to snap a picture of a set design I liked. I'm a strange bird, what can I say?
My husband, Mr. Vintage (as I like to call him), chimes in with great ideas too — which makes this journey feel like a true team effort. We’ve spent a lot of time planning our kitchen refresh. Some of it has been trial and error, but that’s what makes DIY feel so personal. You’re not just updating a room — you’re writing your home’s story, one project at a time.
Saying Goodbye to the Plate Rack
When we bought this house, it had a charming plate rack that was original to the kitchen. I tried to love it. I even lined the shelves with my go-to vintage-style wallpaper that’s made a cameo in several of my past projects. But it just wasn’t working. The rest of the kitchen had been torn out by a previous owner and replaced with a peninsula — and not in a good way. Our stove is on one side, our fridge on the other. Super “convenient.”
As much as I adore keeping original details intact, sometimes you have to let go of the past to make way for something better. In our case, that meant saying goodbye to the plate rack and replacing it with a built-in kitchen cabinet that actually serves a purpose: storage.
Making Use of Wasted Space
Behind the wall where the plate rack hung was a sad excuse for a pantry. It was deep — and only about 12 inches wide. Tell me, who’s fitting anything functional in a 12-inch-deep crevice? I’ll wait. You could only use the very front of the shelves, and the rest of the space just... existed. It was like a black hole for canned goods.
One of my more painful DIY lessons came when I stored antique glassware near the back end of those shelves. They weren’t full length (a fact I somehow missed), and when I opened the door one day — crash. A whole stack of vintage dishes shattered into pieces. My heart sank, and yes, my britches were burned.
The shelves were built with quarter round brackets, and while not fancy, they’d held up for decades. We repurposed them in the new mini-pantry that we now access from the hallway — more on that another day. But the wall space where the plate rack once lived? That had big potential.
The Cabinet Build: A Labor of Love
We sketched up a plan for a recessed built-in cabinet that would actually fit our everyday dishes. No more weird pantry holes or wasted space. Mr. Vintage built the cabinet himself, and let me tell you — getting it into the wall took some doing. Picture him, rubber mallet in hand, gently persuading the cabinet into place. (Okay, maybe not-so-gently.) But eventually, it was fully encased into the wall — and looked like it had always been there.
Doors That Make a Statement
We ordered our cabinet doors from Raw Doors, and the process was incredibly simple. You just plug in your measurements, select your style, and they ship them right to your doorstep. We debated between solid doors and something more decorative. Glass was off the table — I like to keep my messes hidden, thank you very much.
In the end, we went with open frame doors and lined them with cloverleaf aluminum sheet metal, which gives that charming cottage vibe I adore. We sourced the metal from Amazon (though like everything else post-2020, the price has gone up). Still, it was worth it. The end result is both functional and beautiful — and best of all, it doesn’t require me to keep a Pinterest-worthy cabinet interior at all times.
The Finishing Touch
To finish off the cabinet, I added a decorative scroll pediment I found at Hope Timber — one of my favorite places to browse for architectural salvage and unique finds. They hold seasonal barn hops, which are basically treasure hunts for DIY lovers like me. Sadly, I missed the last one, but I always walk away from their barns buzzing with new ideas. There’s something about rummaging through history and giving it new life that never gets old.
And now? Our cabinet is finished, functional, and packed full of dishes — because yes, I actually use it. If you're the type who likes to peek inside other people’s cabinets, you’re not alone. I have a friend who does this too, and honestly, I get it!
Tips If You Want to Build Your Own DIY Kitchen Cabinet:
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Measure twice (or five times): Make sure your wall can accommodate a built-in before starting.
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Don’t be afraid to remove outdated “charm”: If it’s not functional, it’s time to go.
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Look for dead space in your kitchen layout: A shallow pantry or awkward corner might have hidden potential.
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Choose materials that match your style: Vintage, cottage, modern farmhouse — let your cabinet reflect your personality.
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Take your time: Weekend projects are just fine. No one says you have to rush.
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Add something decorative: That pediment or trim piece might be the detail that makes the whole thing feel custom.
This project didn’t just update our kitchen — it made me feel more in control of our chaotic remodel journey. A built-in cabinet might not be the flashiest upgrade, but for us, it made a world of difference. Storage we actually use, a design we actually love, and a reminder that even a kitchen stuck in the 80s can have a bright future.
