Why a Door Swap Is the Smarter Budget Kitchen Update

From fancy taps to handcrafted tiles, the cost of a full kitchen renovation project can very quickly snowball. However, there are ways in which you can update your kitchen without overstretching your finances, especially if you choose to swap out your existing kitchen cabinet doors for a fresh new style.

Here at Happy Doors, we specialise in stylish replacement kitchen cabinet doors and understand just how much of an impact this simple swap can make. So let's dive into some of our favourite styles and top tips for refreshing your space on a realistic budget.

Tips on Updating Kitchens On A Budget

Achieve A Timeless Look With Shaker Style Kitchen Doors

If you're looking to achieve maximum longevity from your new kitchen cabinet doors, choosing a style and finish that has an inherent sense of timelessness is an excellent route to take. Shaker style kitchen cabinet doors are enduringly popular, as they incorporate traditional features in a way that still feels fresh and modern.

Incorporating traditional design features into your kitchen is a subtle yet simple way to give your space some character. Our Bella Stratford doors feature both horizontal and vertical panelled details, which have a classic sense of elegance and sophistication. Another option to consider here is our Bella Surrey style, which has grooves that give a contemporary country cottage vibe.

Pro Tip: If you're eager to emphasise the fresh and contemporary elements of this style, take a look at the slimline or skinny Shaker doors that are soaring in popularity right now. Our Waterford Slimline Shaker style features narrower panelling, which looks sleek, smart and stylish, as does our Bella Elland Handleless style.

Use Colour To Create Personality

While neutral kitchens will never go out of style, replacing your cabinet fronts provides an excellent opportunity to play with colour if you're eager to infuse a sense of your own personality into your design.

Earth tones first started to increase in popularity a couple of years ago and these hues work particularly well in kitchens, as there is an inherent connection here between the spaces in which we prepare meals and the bounty that is produced out in the natural world. Earth tones are also adept at helping to create cosy and inviting atmospheres, working particularly well at infusing character into contemporary open plan kitchen and dining spaces.

Pro Tip: Happy Doors kitchen doors are also available in a wide variety of other colours, including elegant neutrals, rich jewel tones and fresh contemporary pastels, such as pistachio green, Scandinavian blue and blush pink.

Infuse Your Kitchen With Contemporary Functionality And Style

If your kitchen is looking a touch dated and you want to give it a contemporary makeover, handleless and slab style kitchen cabinet doors have a streamlined silhouette that will ensure your space looks and feels lighter, brighter and more spacious.

The sleek look of our Jayline Handleless doors is ideal for a modern makeover and they utilise the latest J-Pull style concealed handles that offer optimal functionality. Amplify the contemporary style by selecting a light-reflecting supergloss finish or achieve an understated yet modern look with a supermatt finish.

Our Valore slab style doors also have an inherent sense of contemporary style and come in a range of statement finishes for everyone who wants to truly put their own stamp on one of the most used spaces in the home.

Don't Forget The Details

To complement our range of kitchen cabinet doors, we also have a variety of accessories that are designed to help you achieve a clean and professional finish. Our accessories range also includes end panels, capping rails, edging tape and plinths, so that your new kitchen will look complete regardless of its layout or configuration.

Additionally, if you're choosing handled doors, it's worth spending some time considering which style will best suit your space as we have a variety of more traditional and contemporary options available.

Pro Tip: We also recommend choosing high quality hinges when installing your new replacement kitchen cabinet doors, as this will help you to achieve a premium finish that looks and feels more expensive.

Frequently Asked Questions

What style of kitchen cabinet doors is right for my kitchen?

From traditional to ultra-modern and styles that sit somewhere in between, deciding which style of kitchen cabinet doors can be one of the trickiest parts of the process. We recommend thinking about the atmosphere you want your kitchen to have, as this will help you to narrow down which design features will best help you to achieve this goal.

For example, if you want your kitchen to feel fresh, bright and modern, slab style doors are well-placed to give your space a feeling of openness. On the other hand, if you enjoy traditional design elements, our range of Shaker inspired doors will offer a feeling of cosiness and character.

How do I choose the right colour and finish for my new kitchen cupboard doors?

The colour and finish you choose for your new cabinet doors can also make a significant difference to the overall look and feel of your kitchen. Again, think about the vibe and personality you want your kitchen to have, and allow this to inform your choices here. In an ultra-modern kitchen, a gloss finish will help to give a crisp and clean look, whereas you may prefer to choose a matt or supermatt finish in a more traditional design.

What are the top kitchen design trends for 2026?

Creating warm, inviting and homely kitchens is the focus of kitchen design trends in 2026, so we can expect to see lots of warm neutrals and fewer cool greys and stark whites. Other trends include incorporating patterns through textiles and tiles, the addition of rich walnut wood tones to bring depth and drama, statement stone countertops, and classic design flourishes that deliver the level of contemporary functionality we've come to expect.