The Easy Way To Make Your Dishwasher Match Your Kitchen Cabinets

If you have been exploring ideas for your kitchen remodel with the goal of achieving a sleek and modern upgrade, then you have probably wondered about how to make your dishwasher match your kitchen cabinets. Hidden appliances that blend into the surrounding cabinetry create a trendy and high-end look because they do not stand out from the rest of the kitchen. Instead of featuring stainless steel, white, or black appliances that draw the eye and easily look dated or dirty, you can get a seamless kitchen design no matter what style of cabinets you have. The best part is that you can achieve this luxurious kitchen look with a relatively simple DIY. TikTok user kolterwinton demonstrates how to easily install a wood panel that matches your cabinets onto a dishwasher to transform your appliance.

For this project, you will need a screwdriver, a panel of wood, a double-sided adhesive, primer, paint, and hardware that matches your cabinetry. Make sure your screwdriver fits the size of screws used on your dishwasher. Your wood panel should have the same shape and style as the surrounding cabinet doors, but you can prime and paint it to match the color later in the project. For the double-sided adhesive, any heavy-duty mounting tape will do, as you will secure the panel in place using both the tape and screws through the dishwasher door. When it comes to paint, you want your color to be as close as possible to the rest of your cabinets. For wood cabinets, find a matching wood stain rather than paint.

Once you have gathered all of your materials and are ready to begin, start by removing the screws that hold the outer panel of the dishwasher to the rest of the door. Look for screws at the top corners of the door, and check your dishwasher's manual to ensure you remove the correct screws. Then, remove the outer panel and unscrew and remove the dishwasher's handle. Clean and dry the outside of the dishwasher's panel thoroughly, then secure it back in place. Apply your double-sided adhesive to the outside of the dishwasher and carefully align and press your wooden cabinet panel into place. Check to make sure it is a good fit by opening and closing the door, looking for any friction with the floor, countertop, or nearby cabinets. When you are satisfied with the placement, remove the dishwasher's outer panel with the wooden cabinet door stuck to it. Drill holes along the perimeter of the dishwasher's outer panel and the wooden panel, and use screws to tightly connect the two pieces together.

Next, prime and paint or stain the wooden panel attached to the dishwasher panel to match your kitchen. Remember to paint the sides of the dishwasher panel and paint or replace the dishwasher's kick plate for a completely finished look. When everything is dry, add a handle that matches the rest of your kitchen's hardware before putting everything back into place. You should be left with a gorgeous dishwasher that blends in with your kitchen perfectly.

If you are considering this project, you may be wondering about its safety and durability. Because the panel is on the exterior of the dishwasher, you should not have any issues with water damage or leaking, but you might want to watch out for any issues immediately following the completion of the project. Another potential issue to check for is the way that the door opens and closes. If the panel you add to the dishwasher door is too heavy, the weight could put stress on the door or make it fall open too quickly. To fix this, most dishwashers have adjustable screws that can be tightened or loosened to better accommodate the weight of the door. Loosening the screws makes the door move more easily, while tightening them will make the door move slower. If you do experience this, learn more about why your dishwasher door keeps falling open and how to fix it. 

Overall, this project is an easy way to make your dishwasher match the rest of your cabinets for a sleek, elegant look. Whether paneled appliances or stainless steel will stand the test of time better, this project allows you to get the seamless style without the higher price tag of a true panel-ready model. Whether you want to potentially increase the resale value of your home by having the style of custom appliances or you just want to enjoy the high-end design for yourself, this project is a great way to achieve the results you want.