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How to add trim to laminate cupboards?

Hi, I’m wanting to add 3mm MDF strips to my laminate cupboards in our kitchen to create shaker style fronts. I’ve found a great post https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/t5/Featured-Projects/Shaker-style-kitchen-reno-with-paint-and-plywood/ta-p/120598

But my question is, should the laminate strips in between the cabinets (as pictured below) be added with 3mm material to create a flush finished look?

Thanks Dafydd

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JacobZ

Hi @Dafydd92,

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is wonderful to have you with us.

The choice is really yours and there's a good chance either option will look fine.

My suggestion is to attach your material to the doors, then paint and finish them first, then see what you think. You can always add the material over the cabinet later if you'd like to.

I would just make sure to check that adding that additional material doesn't affect the swing of the doors prior to committing to it and fixing it in place. If the doors catch, then you may have to leave it off.

Also, allow me to tag @LizzieCro to see if she has any experiences or advice to offer based on her project.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

LizzieCro

Hi @Dafydd92

How're you going? I'm the person who did that Shaker kitchen you looked at. I agree with JacobZ, it's entirely up to you if you think it's necessary to do infill strips on the fronts of the cabinets. Personally I thought it was best to do them, so the appearance was more professional-looking. I doubt anyone notices or cares about it except me, but it really does look better. I'm not sure you'd be able to successfully cut the strips well, though unless you had a table saw, which makes very accurate cuts. If the strips weren't perfect it'd look a bit dodgy. If you think you'll be doing more handy work the table saw is a fantastic tool. I have used mine so much over the past 12 years, and really love it. If you didn't want to buy one, maybe a men's shed might have one and someone there might rip them down for you.

As JacobZ says, you'll need to allow for the opening of your doors, at the hinge side. I had a cabinet maker, a builder and a carpenter all tell me I wouldn't be able to open the doors once I added the 3mm to the front. Finally I realised that as the hinges were adjustable, I could just wind them sideways a mm or so, and it all works perfectly. There's no great gap or anything, it just looks all very normal. I'd really like to encourage you to take this on as it'll completely change your kitchen. I did mine in 2018, and after 7 years the paint has not scratched or chipped, and nothing untoward has happened. It was well worth doing.

Happy to answer any questions, on the forum or privately. Good luck with it!

Cheers, Liz.

Dafydd92

Thank you very much @LizzieCro!

Dafydd92

Following up. I successfully added 3mm ply strips cut at 6.3cm wide to the front door of our island bench. This was an easy and fun project and has definitely changed the look. I also added 9mm thick MDF Vjay board around the island. Now to add some new kick panels, then work through the rest of the kitchen. Paint used was Dulux renovation cabinet paint.

EricL

Hello

Thank you very much for the update on your project. The doors and trim look fantastic! It has definitely given your island a fresh new look and the paint job is perfect.

Eric

Jason

Great job @Dafydd92, many thanks for sharing your results. We look forward to seeing what you can tackle next.

Jason

JacobZ

That looks brilliant @Dafydd92.

I can't wait to see your kitchen when you've had the time to add trim to everything. It's going to look awesome!

Jacob

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