We've been thinking about buying a new refrigerator through the government's Cash for Appliances trade-up program. Only problem is that the French door refrigerator we've been eying ain't cheap so that idea will have to be tabled for now. In the meantime, we came across some ideas for updating our appliances that we thought we'd share!
- Paint them. For a quick and easy update, take your old refrigerator, stove or washing machine to an automotive painter to have them painted or do it yourself with appliance paint. We're definitely considering this option for our old O'Keefe and Merrit stove.
- Change out the doors or fronts. Many appliances can be fitted and updated by changing their fronts. A great option for renters who are stuck with built in appliances like dishwashers. Contact the manufacturer of the appliance who can provide you with a listing of face panels that will fit existing appliances, and face panels that will require customization. There are also companies that offer custom order face panel kits. This is similar to ordering from the manufacturer, but with this option you can order exactly what you want
- Repurpose the door. Using a trim kit, install a corkboard on the front of your refrigerator.
- Cover your old appliances with film. For a stainless steel finish try fauxstainlesssteel.com
[image: Country Living]
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Comments (16)
I've never considered replacing the doors. Actually, maybe someone could help me figure this out. My fridge works more or less perfectly, but I have noticed that the gasket on the door, I've noticed is getting old, and in one section has kind of come off. Is there a way to fix that as a DIY?
nice!
I agree these are beauties to begin with. Here is a source for vintage stoves and fridges and they will refinish for you.
http://www.antiqueappliances.com/cgi-bin/view_ads.cgi?ad=10362&process=1&ad_template=ad_format.html&template=view_ads_brief.html
I planked my fridge to go with the planked walls... It is a JennAir with trim to hold panels.
While there are certainly lots of old appliances that are just plain ugly, changing the outside appearance isn't going to make them more efficient or save on electricity costs. Just something to keep in mind...
If your stove is anything like the ones in the post you linked to, please please don't paint it.
These ideas haven't been very well thought out. I'm sure the appliances in the photograph have not been home painted and who is going to take an old washing machine to an automotive painter? That will cost almost as much as a new machine.
Don't spend money on restyling your old appliances... rather save some more and buy new energy-efficient ones.
I wonder if there are any places out there that will/can install new components in old fridges? Anyone?
New appliances are much much more energy efficient than old ones. Better insulation, much more efficient motors, etc.
However alot of new appliances aren't built to last, requiring replacement in 5-10 years.
I wouldn't use old appliances, but the colors are beautiful - makes me re-consider my plan for an all white classic modern kitchen.
if you are a renter and get stuck with an ugly, gigantic fridge, call your DWP and see if they have any kind of recycle incentives. I got a brand spankin' new fridge about 3 years ago in LA. it was perfect, apartment-sized, and fresh and white-- so much better than the yellowing 80's bohemith that had been there forever.
all I did was prove that the fridge was more than 15 years old. they brought the new one and took the old one. for FREE!
http://mylittleapartment.blogspot.com/
beware the gorgeous and vintage: our place came with a great vintage stove when we bought it. it looked perfect, but we quickly found out only one burner worked and it wasn't up to code (obviously.) it was going to cost $1200 to fix and update.
Some of these suggestions seem shaky, BUT if you have a 70's -90's ish dishwasher it likely has a panel that can be removed and flipped (mine was black on one side cream on the other). I painted the cream bright white to match the other appliances, but have done alot of joking with my room mate about a something funny for the other side, like a flaming skull for parties?
A word about French door refrigerators. I had to have one. I am sorry. You might want to think again...
(At least with mine...) the half width doors limit the shelf space you can reach, so you end up opening both, and then both try to swing shut on you. You can't open the crisper drawers without opening both doors, either. Putting away a pizza, we use the otherwise usless catering drawer, is a challenge -- hold open two doors AND pull out a shallow drawer while balancing the pizza!No matter what you do a door is blocking the counter -- at least with a single door fridge, if the door swings the right way, you have a clear path to an adjacent counter.
They look snazzy, but they aren't as efficient as they seem. I won't do it again, if I ever have to replace this one...
As mentioned by someone else, I'd use that painting/updating money to kickoff a new savings plan for a brand new appliance I love.