Arched cabinets in the kitchen. Updating cathedral cabinet doors to make them look modern

While arched kitchen cabinets are often associated with old traditional houses that you just purchased or got as an inheritance, they shouldn't be removed simply for being outdated. The influence of Gothic architecture even spread into interior designs and modern cabinet styles. Actually, the curved arch at the top of the cabinet door is mostly considered a timeless classic rather than an outgoing trend.

Have you ever thought about why cathedral kitchens occur so often that they have already set your teeth on edge? Because they are extremely durable! For all these 30-40 years, so much nothing has happened to them, that there is not a single reason to replace arched cathedral kitchen cabinets.

Still, many homeowners question, how to update the arched cabinets kitchen. In fact, kitchen cabinets with cathedral doors are quite difficult to upgrade. But when you choose the right design technique, they can blend in seamlessly with a modern space. Mostly, the cabinets are not to blame; rather, the surrounding finishes like laminate counters, vinyl flooring and outdated tile, even cabinet hardware, can be the culprit.

There are numerous options for how you can update kitchen cabinets with arched doors behind a painting. Stick to the Cut2Size blog, and we’ll show you how to turn what you have into a modern kitchen interior.

Types of arched-style cabinets in the kitchen

Before we dive deeper into the different ideas on how to update a cathedral raised panel cabinet door, let’s first determine what is kitchen cabinets arched doors. Cathedral-style kitchen cabinets are cabinets with an elegantly curving arch at the top of the cabinet door that resembles the arches of conventional cathedrals or churches. The cabinets' inner panel curved shape gives them an elegant appearance that might offer your kitchen a hint of architectural intrigue.

1. Archtop cabinet door

Arch-top kitchen cabinets feature an opulent appearance due to a curved arch at the top of the cabinet doors, adding an eye-catching feature and instantly elevating any kitchen decor. Depending on their style and design, arch cabinet door tops may be more apparent or subtle to reflect a personal taste. If going for a more modern or minimalist kitchen aesthetic, subtler arch cabinet doors might work best.

1. Double arch door cabinet

Traditionally, double-arch kitchen cabinet doors feature two arches at both the top and bottom of the panels to add depth and refinement to their designs. They are often seen in classic or elaborate kitchen styles to add opulence and sophistication.

1. Cathedral cabinet door

Cathedral-style cabinets feature arch-top cabinet doors with tall, narrow arches reminiscent of those found in Gothic architecture. This classic and traditional look makes this style suitable for homes that feature more formal or vintage kitchen styles.

1. Double cathedral door cabinets

Double cathedral arches are an eye-catcher! They can give your kitchen a dramatic, appearance with two tall, thin arches at both ends, creating an eye-catching piece. Double cathedral arch cabinet doors are commonly found in luxurious and elaborate kitchen designs to add grandeur and elegance. Their intricate designs can further be enhanced through decorative moldings, carvings or embellishments which add further grandeur and magnificence to this design feature. Such double cathedral arch cabinets are popular choices among homeowners seeking to add luxury and elegance into their kitchen designs.

How to modernize cathedral cabinets?

If you're looking for more modern kitchen, cathedral cabinets may seem outdated. Luckily, there are ways to modernize the cupboards while maintaining their timeless beauty. We will explore some simple updates such as replacing hardware as well as more involved projects like repainting or resurfacing cathedral cabinet doors in this section.

1. Paint the cabinets - One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to modernize cathedral-style cabinets is by painting them. Oak cabinets with cathedral doors typically feature natural grain of wood effects on their surface. Updating these oak cathedral kitchen cabinets involves repainting them; once updated with paint they look much sleeker and more contemporary compared to stained natural wood designs. Painting oak cathedral kitchen cabinets is generally easy, which explains why so many homeowners prefer them. Choose a light colour like eggshell white painted cathedral oak cabinets or grey for modern appeal.
2. Change the hardware - While painted arched kitchen cabinets can help modernize traditional cabinet designs, less obvious methods exist for modernizing them. Switching out cabinet hardware for sleek modern options such as brushed nickel t-bars or stainless steel bow pulls is another effective way to modernize them and give them an updated appearance.
3. Add lighting - Under-cabinet lighting can make a major impact when it comes to modernizing your cabinets. Installing stylish LED strip lighting under each cabinet adds a warm and welcoming glow, perfect for modernizing any kitchen space.
4. Remove decorative elements - Cathedral-style cabinets often include massive decorative moldings or embellishments that date the cabinets. Consider removing these to create a cleaner and more modern appearance for the cabinets. Replace the doors - If your cabinets are in great shape but still wish to significantly update their appearance, consider replacing just their cabinet doors. Select flat-panel options for a new-fashioned and contemporary aesthetic.
5. Add glass inserts - If you want to give your cathedral cabinets painted white some visual interest, consider adding glass inserts. This will give them a more modern and open appearance while still maintaining their unique architectural charm.
6. Mix and match - To fully modernize your cathedral-style cabinets, pair cathedral-style cabinets with other contemporary elements like stainless steel appliances, an eye-catching glass backsplash or minimalistic countertops. This will create a cohesive and contemporary look throughout your kitchen. Cathedral cabinets, for example, are originally for traditional spaces but adding or painting them in white cathedral arch kitchen cabinet doors will make a kitchen space appear modern. You can also pair white kitchen cabinets with arched doors with dark or bold contrasting colours to create distinction and character.

Arched cabinets in different kitchen styles

If you are looking for different arched cabinet styles, there are a lot of options available in the market today. Here are a few of them.