Should the Underside of Kitchen Cabinets Be Finished?

Hey there! Lillie here, your friendly neighborhood home improvement guru. Whether to finish the underside of your kitchen cabinets is a common question many homeowners face. Here are some key pros and cons to help you decide:

Pros of Finishing Cabinet Undersides

• Provides a more finished, upscale built-in look
• Easier to clean up spills and dust
• Helps limit airflow to reduce heat loss/gain up to 10%, according to the Department of Energy
• Can reduce noise transmission between rooms if cabinets don‘t sit flush with floor

Cons of Finishing Cabinet Undersides

• Typically costs 20-40% more in materials and labor
• Can make plumbing and electrical repairs more difficult to access
• Reduces accessibility for future repairs and modifications
• Covered undersides lose ventilation benefits in warmer climates

Ultimately, the choice depends on your priorities in terms of aesthetics, functionality, budget, and climate. But finishing the underside definitely gives cabinets a more polished, high-end appearance. Now let‘s explore some of the best ways to cover the bottom of those cabinets!

Several easy and affordable materials can be used to cover the underside of kitchen cabinets for a cleaner, more finished look:

Peel-and-Stick Vinyl

Peel-and-stick vinyl wallpaper offers the quickest and least expensive way to cover cabinet bases. Many fun patterns and textures are available to suit your style.

Cost: Approximately $0.50-$2 per square foot

Pros:

• Super easy "peel and stick" application
• Low cost material and labor
• Provides smooth, uniform finish

Cons:

• Not very durable long-term
• Can peel over time with moisture
• Limited color/pattern options

Tile

Tile brings a trendy, upscale look that‘s extremely water-resistant and durable. From ceramic to marble, the options are endless!

Cost: $3-$25 per square foot

Pros:

• Trendy, high-end appearance
• Extremely durable and moisture-proof
• Thousands of style/color combinations
• Matches floor and backsplash tile

Cons:

• More difficult DIY installation
• Higher material and labor cost
• Grout maintenance required

Plywood

Plywood offers an affordable way to seamlessly match cabinet bases to your wood or laminate flooring.

Cost: Approximately $30-60 per cabinet

Pros:

• Blends with wood or laminate floors
• Relatively inexpensive material
• Simple cutting and installation
• Accepts paints/stains beautifully

Cons:

• Provides less protection from moisture
• Requires precise cutting for clean fit

Beadboard Panels

For a cottage or farmhouse vibe, beadboard panels add charming style to cabinet bases.

Cost: About $5 per square foot

Pros:

• Attractive vintage appeal
• Conceals uneven cabinet bottoms
• Easy installation with adhesive
• Many width options available

Cons:

• Not as durable or moisture-resistant as other materials
• Paint/stain required for finished look

Laminate Sheets

For a contemporary sleek finish, laminate sheets offer stylish durability.

Cost: $1.50 – $5 per square foot

Pros:

• Extremely durable and moisture-resistant
• Hundreds of colors and patterns available
• Matches countertop laminate nicely
• Very easy installation

Cons:

• Higher cost than vinyl or beadboard
• Challenging to cut neatly around corners

Cabinet Doors

Installing new cabinet doors refreshes the look without replacing the whole cabinet.

Cost: $50-$200 per door

Pros:

• Quick update to kitchen‘s style
• Way less expensive than new cabinets
• Easy DIY installation
• Doors available in any style imaginable

Cons:

• Still an exposed unfinished cabinet box
• Potential alignment/fit issues with older boxes

Here are some top tips for perfectly installing your chosen cabinet base covering:

• Clean the surface thoroughly and let dry completely first
• Carefully measure and allow 1/8" – 1/4" overhang for finishing
• Use painter‘s tape along edges for super crisp lines
• Work slowly and smooth out bubbles/wrinkles as you go
• Use caulk or trim for clean edges around corners and edges
• Seal all finished edges to prevent moisture damage

I‘d recommend having a helper for the install – it makes lining up the materials so much easier! Watch out for kinks or bubbles in the materials and take your time smoothing them out.

For plywood or beadboard, have boards cut at the hardware store for cleaner edges. When in doubt, it‘s better to cut panels a little big and trim down for an exact fit.

And remember, whenever you‘re installing around electrical or plumbing, be sure to shut off power and water supply for safety!

For tiles, use proper tile adhesive and grout for best durability. Let adhesive and grout dry fully (24-48 hours) before sealing.

To give you a better idea on budgets, here‘s an approximate cost comparison of materials and professional installation vs DIY:

Material	DIY Cost	Professional Install
Peel-and-Stick Vinyl	$50 – $150	$300 – $600
Tile	$200 – $600	$1000 – $3000
Plywood	$100 – $300	$300 – $800
Beadboard	$100 – $400	$500 – $1200
Laminate	$200 – $600	$800 – $2000
Cabinet Doors	$300 – $1000	$1000 – $3000

As you can see, DIY provides significant savings, with most materials under $600 total! But for more complex installations like tile or cabinet door replacement, hiring a professional may be worth the investment.

It‘s easy to get excited prepping for a kitchen makeover, but avoid these common cabinet covering mistakes:

• Forgetting to thoroughly clean and dry the surface first
• Not allowing enough overhang for trimming edges
• Skipping caulk/trim for seamless edges around corners
• Applying covering too quickly resulting in bubbles
• Failing to seal edges against potential moisture damage
• Improper grouting technique for tiles leading to cracks

Take your time measuring twice and cutting once for a tight seamless fit. Don‘t be afraid to trim down edges for adjustments. And seal, seal, seal those finished edges!

To keep your new cabinet bases looking fresh:

• Use mild cleaner and soft rag to gently wipe vinyl coverings
• Re-grout tile as needed, about once every 1-2 years
• Re-seal tile every 6 months to protect from moisture
• Dust wood panels and re-stain/paint every 2-3 years
• Use furniture polish on laminate to keep looking glossy
• Tighten cabinet doors as needed if sagging occurs

Your kitchen cabinets work hard every day! A little seasonal maintenance keeps them looking their best.

Hopefully these tips give you a good overview on choosing materials and finishing the underside of kitchen cabinets. There‘s something for every style and budget.

Whichever option you choose, take your time prepping the surface and installing carefully. Finishing those bases really elevates the whole look of your kitchen with minimal time and cash.

Let me know if you have any other questions! Wishing you the best of luck with your cabinet makeover.

Yours truly,
Lillie