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Easy DIY Open Cabinet Makeover with Plywood Panels

Upgrade those boring or ugly open cabinets and shelves with this easy DIY Plywood Panel Makeover!

Are you a fan of the open cabinet trend? They can look really gorgeous! Luckily, most cabinets look great without any help. But sometimes, cabinets can be a bit of an eyesore that need a pretty and easy upgrade before you can remove the doors. Try this easy DIY open cabinet makeover with plywood panels when you need a quick fix that will hide ugly cabinet walls.

I went with stained panels because they match the table I made for my Laundry Room. BUT you can customize the look to match any room and style. Go for paint, stain, wallpaper, or fabric. Anything works on a fresh, new smooth surface. 🙂

Before and after attaching a plywood liner to open cabinets. Easy DIY Open Cabinet Makeover with Plywood Panels. Hide ugly, boring, and damaged cabinets to get that trendy open cabinet look. #OpenShelves #OpenCabinets #DIYOpenCabinets #AbbottsAtHome

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The plywood hides all of that framing that made the cabinet look unfinished and kinda ugly.

UPDATE: See the full reveal for this Modern Farmhouse Teal Laundry Room Makeover now.

Now, let’s get this build started!


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DIY Open Cabinet Makeover with Plywood Panels- Materials Needed

DIY Open Cabinet Makeover with Plywood Panels – Build Steps

Step 1

Plan the best layout for your panel design. I only added panels to the side walls of my cabinets. But you could do the ceiling, back wall, and bottom, if needed.

White open cabinet used for coat storage. Easy DIY Open Cabinet Makeover with Plywood Panels. Hide ugly, boring, and damaged cabinets to get that trendy open cabinet look. #OpenShelves #OpenCabinets #DIYOpenCabinets #AbbottsAtHome

Before adding the panels, this cabinet looked a bit drab and unfinished.

Step 2

Measure and cut your panels. I highly recommend using a cutting guide. I like perfectly straight cuts, but cannot make them straight enough on my own. Using a cutting guide clamped to your board makes straight cuts quick and easy!

Easy DIY Open Cabinet Makeover with Plywood Panels. Hide ugly, boring, and damaged cabinets to get that trendy open cabinet look. #OpenShelves #OpenCabinets #DIYOpenCabinets #AbbottsAtHome

Step 3

Apply your finish before attaching the panels. It just makes the job easier.

Maple Plywood Panels. Easy DIY Open Cabinet Makeover with Plywood Panels. Hide ugly, boring, and damaged cabinets to get that trendy open cabinet look. #OpenShelves #OpenCabinets #DIYOpenCabinets #AbbottsAtHome

The longer panels have been stained and are ready to hang.

Step 4

Once dry, attach the panels using construction adhesive. Hold the board tightly in place with a few brad nails or clamps while it dries. I used my brad nailer. It’s one of my favorite tools. They make jobs like this so much faster!

Power Grab and a Brad Nailer. Easy DIY Open Cabinet Makeover with Plywood Panels. Hide ugly, boring, and damaged cabinets to get that trendy open cabinet look. #OpenShelves #OpenCabinets #DIYOpenCabinets #AbbottsAtHome

Step 5

Fill any holes and touch up. Then enjoy your beautiful DIY Open Cabinet Makeover!

Easy DIY Open Cabinet Makeover with Plywood Panels. Hide ugly, boring, and damaged cabinets to get that trendy open cabinet look. #OpenShelves #OpenCabinets #DIYOpenCabinets #AbbottsAtHome

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Check out the original Mudroom Bench DIY to see how I converted our cabinets into a bench and hall tree for less than $100.

Looking for DIY Mudroom Ideas? You can upcycle your old cabinets into a beautiful and affordable DIY Laundry and Mudroom Combo. This cabinet update was less than $100. And the mudroom bench, coat, and shoe storage makes this space so much more functional!

Just getting started. The doors and drawers have been removed.

And be sure to check out the Kids Bedroom Reveal for lots of budget-friendly and fun DIY and decor ideas your kiddos will love!

It's time for the boys bedroom makeover reveal, guys! And I'm so excited to share it with you. The whole room is full of awesome DIY projects, affordable decor, and fun boys bedroom ideas. I'm loving it and so are my boy's! This is a blue, white, and grey bedroom full of pops of fun colors. I think it's a bit Farmhouse, a bit traditional, and a bit Land of Nod. I designed this for my boys, but most of the ideas would work for all kids, boys and girls. #kidsbedroom #kidsroom #boysbedroom #bedroomideas


Feeling inspired? Get out there and do your own DIY Open Cabinet Makeover with Plywood Panels. Have fun and let me know if you have questions. Don’t forget to sign up for the Abbotts At Home email newsletter to get DIY, Remodeling, and Crafty ideas in your inbox.

acraftymix

Monday 25th of June 2018

That's so much better than the before and it's a really easy thing to do too.

Stephanie

Monday 25th of June 2018

Thanks, Michelle! I finally feel like the cabinet looks finished and so nice. :)

Debrashoppeno5

Friday 22nd of June 2018

This build turned out terrific. It is so stylish and will keep you very organized.

Stephanie

Saturday 23rd of June 2018

Thanks, Debra. It looks so much nicer now. :)

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