Creative Ways To Make Your Cathedral Kitchen Cabinets Look Modern

Cathedral-style kitchen cabinets are instantly recognisable by the distinctive curved or arched detail at the top of their door panels. Once a popular choice for traditional kitchens, they’re now sometimes dismissed as dated – but if your existing cabinets are well made and in good condition, there’s no reason to replace them simply because fashions have changed.

In fact, cathedral cabinet doors can bring plenty of character and architectural interest to a kitchen. The key is knowing how to balance their decorative shape with more contemporary colours, hardware and finishes so that the arches look intentional rather than old-fashioned.

From painting and refinishing to changing the hardware, introducing open shelving, adding glass-fronted doors or selectively combining cathedral kitchen cabinets with simpler door styles, there are plenty of ways to give existing cabinetry a fresh new look.

If you’re wondering how to make cathedral cabinets look modern, this guide explores practical and creative ways to update them while retaining the character that makes them distinctive in the first place.

Quick Answer

You can make cathedral-style kitchen cabinets look more modern without replacing them by updating their colour, hardware and surrounding finishes. Painting or refinishing the doors in a contemporary shade, swapping dated knobs for streamlined handles, introducing glass-fronted cabinets or open shelving, and refreshing worktops, splashbacks and lighting can all help. The key is to embrace the distinctive arched cabinet shape while simplifying everything around it, creating a kitchen that feels fresh and current rather than dated.

Are Your Cathedral Cabinets Worth Keeping?

Before changing the colour, hardware or style of your cathedral cabinets, take a closer look at what you already have. A kitchen can look dated while still containing perfectly good-quality cabinetry, and replacing sound cabinets simply because the door style has fallen out of fashion isn’t always necessary.

Check the cabinet carcasses for water damage, swelling or significant deterioration and make sure the doors still sit squarely and the hinges work properly. Solid timber cathedral doors can be particularly worth retaining, as they may respond beautifully to painting, refinishing or more selective alterations.

Also consider the kitchen layout. If the storage works well, appliances are sensibly positioned and you’re generally happy with how you use the space, updating the existing cabinets could give you the transformation you’re looking for without a complete refit.

On the other hand, cosmetic changes can only achieve so much. If the cabinets are badly damaged, storage is inadequate or the layout makes the kitchen frustrating to use, investing heavily in new finishes and hardware may not solve the underlying problems.

How To Update Cathedral Cabinet Doors To Make Them Look Modern

Contrary to what most first-time homeowners think, cathedral cabinets may be not out-of-date. They can be integrated smoothly into a modern interior with the right design technique.

Updating double cathedral kitchen cabinet doors can completely transform the look of your kitchen. A double cathedral cabinet door is a cabinet with a double curved arch. With just a few simple steps, you can modernize your cabinets and give your kitchen a fresh, updated look.

To start the preparation, it’s helpful to:

Remove the cabinet doors

The first step in updating your cathedral-style kitchen cabinet doors is to remove them from the cabinets. Use a screwdriver from your DIY kit to remove the hinges and take off the doors carefully. This will allow you to work on them more easily and give you better access to the surface.

Sand the surface

Once you have removed the doors, use sandpaper to sand the surface of the wood. This will create a rough surface that will allow the new paint or stain to adhere more easily. Make sure to sand in the direction of the grain and remove any dust or debris before moving on to the next step.

Painting & Staining

Painting cathedral cabinets is perhaps the easiest and most straightforward way of updating cathedral oak cabinets. Cabinets with arched doors are typically made of solid hardwood like oak, maple, hickory, and similar. Oak cathedral kitchen cabinets may look a bit outdated because of their color, especially if they are stained in a much darker hue.

Use Colour to Make the Cathedral Detail Feel Intentional

Rather than simply painting cathedral cabinets one uniform colour, you can use subtle changes in colour and contrast to make their distinctive arched shape feel like a deliberate design feature. This works particularly well if you want to embrace the character of the doors rather than disguise it.

Highlight the arch. Consider using a slightly lighter or darker version of the main cabinet colour around the arched detail. A subtle tonal difference can draw attention to the shape and give the doors a more bespoke appearance. Keep the contrast fairly restrained if you want the finished kitchen to feel contemporary rather than decorative.

Create contrast around the doors. Cabinet frames don’t necessarily have to be identical to the doors. A carefully chosen complementary neutral can add definition and make traditional cabinetry feel more considered. For example, muted sage doors could work with a warm off-white surround, while petrol blue cabinetry could be softened with a warm neutral.

Add colour inside glass-fronted cabinets. If some of your cathedral arched kitchen cabinets contain glass, the cabinet interior provides another opportunity to introduce colour. Deep blue, forest green, burgundy or even a warm ochre can turn the arched opening into an attractive frame for ceramics and glassware.

Colour temperature can influence the overall effect, too. Cooler blues, greens and blue-based greys tend to give cathedral cabinetry a crisper, more contemporary character, while warm creams, taupes and earthy neutrals can create a softer modern-organic look.

The aim isn’t necessarily to hide the cathedral arch. By using colour deliberately, you can make it look like an architectural feature you’ve chosen to emphasise rather than something you’re trying to disguise.

Update The Hardware

Next, install modern hardware for arch cabinets to make the aesthetic pop. This will enhance the look of your old cabinetry and make your kitchen look fresh and good as new.

Use Hardware Placement to Change the Look of Cathedral Doors

Where you position handles and knobs can have a surprisingly big effect on how cathedral-style cabinets look. Traditional knobs and short handles can draw attention to the decorative shape of the door, while longer, simpler hardware can introduce stronger lines that make the cabinetry feel more contemporary.

Create a strong vertical line. On upper cabinets, try positioning slim bar handles consistently along the outer edge of each door. The repeated vertical lines provide a clean geometric contrast to the curved cathedral detail and help the cabinetry feel more streamlined.

Consider longer handles. Replacing small traditional knobs with longer bar or linear handles can immediately change the proportions of the doors. Brass, bronze, matt black and brushed nickel can all work, depending on the cabinet colour and other finishes in the kitchen.

Keep placement consistent. Whatever position you choose, consistency across a run of cabinets is important. Repeated handles at the same height create a sense of order that can make ornate or traditional doors appear more considered.

Try handleless upper cabinets. If the construction of your existing cabinets allows it, push-to-open mechanisms can remove hardware from upper cathedral cabinets altogether. Pairing streamlined upper cabinets with simple handles on the base units can create an interesting balance between traditional detailing and contemporary styling.

Think about horizontal lines, too. Longer horizontal pulls on drawers can provide a useful visual counterpoint to the vertical proportions and curved arches of cathedral door kitchen cabinets. Repeating the same finish throughout the kitchen will help tie everything together.

Before drilling new holes, check how your cabinet doors are constructed and whether the proposed position provides a secure fixing point. If you’re replacing existing hardware, also consider whether the new handles will cover the old holes; otherwise, these may need filling and refinishing.

Kitchen Cabinets With Modern Arch Design Ideas

Wondering what modern design ideas you can do to your arch kitchen door? Here are a few kitchen door arch design ideas to help you get started.

Arched glass cabinet doors

Adding glass panels to your arched kitchen cabinets is a great way to add a touch of elegance and modern style to your kitchen. The arched cupboard in the kitchen design softens the look of your cabinets, and the glass allows you to showcase your favourite dishes or collectibles. For a modern twist, consider using frosted glass or underlight to add visual interest and texture.

Arched open shelving

Arched open shelving is a creative way to add both storage and style to your kitchen pantry. The arches create an eye-catching design element that is both functional and beautiful. Use the shelving to display your favorite cookbooks, plants, or other decorative items, or use it to store frequently used dishes or utensils. For added texture or separation without closing off space, consider installing a vertical wood slat screen beside or behind the shelving – it brings warmth and a contemporary edge to your setup.

Arched cabinet doors with cutting edges

For a truly unique and modern look, consider adding arch kitchen cabinets with cutting edges. The arched design adds softness to your cabinets, while the edge cutouts add a touch of edginess and modern style. Use contrasting colors or materials to really make your cabinets stand out, such as black or white cabinets and wood cuttings in the panels.

Mix Cathedral Doors With Simpler Cabinet Fronts

If you like the character of cathedral cabinets but feel that a whole kitchen filled with arched doors looks too traditional, you don’t necessarily have to choose between keeping every door and replacing them all.

Another option is to retain cathedral doors selectively and introduce simpler cabinet fronts elsewhere. Reducing the number of arched doors allows them to become an intentional feature rather than the dominant element of the kitchen.

For example, you could replace some doors with simple Shaker or slab-style fronts while keeping cathedral doors on a pair of prominent wall cabinets. Alternatively, retain the cathedral design on glazed display cabinets and introduce open shelving elsewhere.

Where Cathedral Doors Can Work as Features

Think about which cabinets naturally draw the eye when you enter the room. These can be good places to retain some of the original detailing.

A symmetrical pair of cathedral cabinets on either side of a cooker hood, for example, can make the arches look deliberately incorporated into the design. Glass-fronted cathedral cabinets can also work well as display cupboards, where the curved shape provides an attractive frame for colourful ceramics and glassware.

If your kitchen is open-plan, you might also retain decorative detailing on cabinetry that’s particularly visible from the dining or living area. Used selectively, traditional cabinet details can give a kitchen more character than an entirely uniform run of plain doors.

Where Simpler Doors Could Work Better

Elsewhere, introducing cleaner cabinet fronts can visually quieten the kitchen.

Base cabinets are one possibility, particularly if you want to create a stronger horizontal emphasis beneath more decorative wall cabinets. Large pantry or full-height cupboard doors can also suit a simpler design, as their size means ornate detailing can otherwise become quite dominant.

There’s no ideal percentage of cathedral and contemporary doors to aim for. Instead, look at the kitchen as a whole and decide where the arches add character and where they simply add visual clutter.

Use Open Shelving to Break Up the Cabinetry

You don’t have to replace every unwanted cathedral door with another door, either.

Removing the doors from one or two suitable wall cabinets and converting them into open shelving can break up a long run of traditional cabinetry. Alternatively, removing entire wall cabinets and replacing them with simple timber shelves can introduce a lighter, more relaxed element.

This works particularly well when the remaining cathedral cabinets are positioned symmetrically or used to frame the shelving.

Make the Different Door Styles Feel Connected

Mixing cabinet-door styles works best when there’s something tying them together. This could be a consistent paint colour, matching hardware or a limited palette of complementary finishes.

For example, petrol-blue cathedral wall cabinets could be combined with simpler base cabinets in the same colour, with aged-brass handles repeated throughout. Alternatively, painted cathedral cabinets could sit alongside natural timber shelving to create a more relaxed, collected feel.

The goal isn’t to make the cathedral doors disappear. It’s to reduce their visual dominance so that the ones you retain look like a deliberate part of the kitchen’s design.

Before ordering replacement fronts, check whether your existing cabinet carcasses, hinges and door dimensions are compatible. Replacement kitchen doors can be an effective way to update sound cabinetry, but unusual sizes or older hinge arrangements may require additional work.

Benefits Of Updating Cathedral Kitchen Cabinet Doors Instead Of Replacing Them

Updating your raised panel cathedral cabinet doors is a great way to give your kitchen a fresh look without the expense and hassle of completely replacing your cabinets. Here are three benefits of updating your arched cabinets kitchen instead of replacing them:

1. It’s cost-effective

Updating your cathedral cabinet doors is a more affordable option than replacing them entirely. You can achieve a modern look with a fresh coat of paint or stain, new hardware, and other simple updates that won’t break the bank. Newly painted arched kitchen cabinets can enhance the look of your kitchen instantly. This is especially beneficial if you’re on a tight budget but still want to make a significant change in your kitchen’s appearance.

2. It saves you time

Replacing your cabinets can take weeks or even months, depending on the size of your kitchen and the complexity of the installation. Updating your cabinet doors, on the other hand, can typically be completed within a few days, allowing you to enjoy your updated kitchen sooner.

3. It’s sustainable

Rather than throwing away perfectly good cabinets, you’re simply giving them a new lease on life. This is an environmentally-friendly option that can help you feel good about your renovation project and reduce your impact on the planet.

Mistakes to Avoid When Modernising Cathedral Cabinets

Adding too much detail. Cathedral doors already have a strong architectural shape, so ornate handles, heavily patterned splashbacks and decorative worktops can make the kitchen feel busier rather than more contemporary.

Assuming everything needs to be white. White can work, but deeper blues, greens, burgundy, warm neutrals and natural timber can make cathedral cabinetry look intentional rather than simply disguised beneath white paint.

Ignoring the rest of the kitchen. New cabinet paint won’t necessarily modernise the room if dated worktops, flooring, lighting and splashbacks remain visually dominant. Look at the kitchen as a complete scheme.

Choosing hardware without checking proportions. Handles that are too small, overly decorative or awkwardly positioned can emphasise the traditional character you’re trying to soften.

Mixing styles without a connecting element. If you’re combining cathedral doors, simpler replacement fronts and open shelving, repeat colours, materials or hardware so the result looks deliberate.

Removing character unnecessarily. You don’t have to disguise every arch. Keeping a few cathedral doors as feature cabinets can give the kitchen individuality that an entirely uniform set of modern doors might lack.

Making permanent alterations too quickly. Before drilling new hardware holes, removing doors or ordering replacement fronts, test colours and positions and check that your existing cabinetry is structurally suitable for the changes.

FAQs About Updating Cathedral Cabinets

Are cathedral kitchen cabinets outdated?

Cathedral kitchen cabinets are associated with more traditional kitchen styles, particularly designs popular in previous decades, so a whole room of highly decorative arched doors can sometimes feel dated. However, that doesn’t mean they automatically need replacing. Contemporary paint colours, streamlined hardware, simpler worktops and splashbacks, open shelving and modern lighting can all make cathedral cabinets feel much more current. You can also retain selected cathedral doors as architectural features while simplifying the cabinetry around them.

Can you make cathedral cabinets look modern?

Yes. One of the easiest ways to modernise cathedral cabinets is to simplify everything surrounding their distinctive curved detail. Consider painting or refinishing the doors, replacing traditional knobs with streamlined handles and updating dated worktops, splashbacks and lighting. You can also remove selected upper doors to create open shelving or replace some cabinet fronts with simpler designs. Rather than trying to hide every cathedral arch, treating some of them as deliberate design details can create a more individual contemporary kitchen.

What colours make cathedral cabinets look more modern?

There isn’t one colour that works for every kitchen. Muted greens, deep blues, warm off-whites, earthy neutrals and sophisticated darker shades can all give cathedral cabinets a fresher appearance. Cooler colours such as blue and green tend to create a crisper contemporary feel, while creams, taupes and other warm neutrals can work well in a softer modern-organic scheme. Always test paint colours in your own kitchen, as natural and artificial light can significantly change how they appear.

Can you paint oak cathedral cabinets?

In many cases, yes, but careful preparation is essential. Cabinet doors need to be thoroughly cleaned and degreased before painting, and the existing finish may need sanding or deglossing so that the new coating adheres properly. A suitable primer can be particularly important on timber such as oak, where grain and tannins may otherwise affect the finish. Use a durable paint designed for cabinetry or joinery and follow the manufacturer’s preparation and curing instructions. If you love the natural timber, refinishing the oak in a lighter, more matt finish is another option.

Can you replace cathedral cabinet doors without replacing the whole kitchen?

Potentially, yes. If the existing cabinet carcasses are structurally sound and you’re happy with the kitchen layout, replacing the doors can provide a significant visual update without removing all the cabinetry. You’ll need to check the exact door dimensions, hinge positions and compatibility with the existing units before ordering replacements. You don’t necessarily have to replace every cathedral door either: combining selected original doors with simpler fronts, glass-fronted cabinets or open shelving can create a more individual look.

Can cathedral cabinet doors be converted to Shaker doors?

Usually, converting an existing cathedral door into a genuine Shaker-style door isn’t as straightforward as simply removing the arch. The construction and profile of the original door will determine what’s possible, and extensive alterations may not produce a convincing or durable result. If you want a true Shaker appearance, replacing selected door fronts while retaining the existing cabinet carcasses may be the more practical solution. Alternatively, embrace some of the original cathedral doors and combine them with simpler elements elsewhere in the kitchen.

Final Thoughts

Cathedral kitchen cabinets may have strong associations with traditional interiors, but that doesn’t mean a complete kitchen refit is the only way to achieve a more contemporary look. If your existing cabinetry is well made, structurally sound and works for your needs, there are plenty of ways to give it a fresh lease of life.

A new paint colour or refinished timber, streamlined hardware, simpler worktops and splashbacks, modern lighting and carefully positioned open shelving can all help balance the decorative curves of cathedral doors. You can also take a more selective approach, retaining some arched cabinets as characterful features while introducing glass fronts, open shelves or simpler door styles elsewhere.

Most importantly, don’t feel that you have to disguise every cathedral arch. The aim is to make the detailing feel deliberate rather than dated. By simplifying the elements around it and choosing colours, materials and hardware carefully, the distinctive cathedral shape can become part of what gives your kitchen personality.

Before replacing good-quality cabinets, take another look at what you already have. With a few thoughtful updates, those traditional cathedral doors might prove to be an asset rather than something you need to remove.

157