Replacement kitchen cabinets or sprucing up the old ones… It’s a debate many a homeowner will engage himself in this spring. Many people put of remodeling the kitchen ear after year because of the expense involved in new cabinetry. Contractor prices are astronomical, especially if the contractor purchases the cabinets and re-sells them to the homeowner. But even DIY prices for new cabinets can be high. If you’re willing to use your imagination and put forth some effort, refacing those cabinets can give the kitchen a whole new look without breaking the bank.
When you think refacing, don’t be confined to the old method of stripping and refinishing the natural wood. Of course, if that’s your style then by all means go for it! But there are a ton of other options if you want something a bit different. From basic, easy refacing to ornate, detailed work, your imagination is your only limit. Let’s go through some suggestions, beginning with some of the simpler things.
Modifying or replacing the hardware can do wonders for your cabinets. I know of a kitchen that was stuck in the sixties even though the year was 2001. The homeowners updated the space in several ways, including removing the modifying the old brass hardware. The handles and hinges had discolored over the years (as brass is known to do), so they were removed, cleaned, and lightly sanded. Then several coats of chrome paint was sprayed on until a nice shiny finish emerged. When the hardware was put back on the freshly pained cabinets it look outstanding! If you prefer new hardware it can be costly depending on the number of pieces you need. Try to stay away from things that will rust or degrade over time.
As previously mentioned, you can also paint your cabinets rather than refinish them with stain. Wood lovers will cringe at this thought, but well painted cabinets can be very attractive. You wouldn’t think a chocolate diamond would look gorgeous until you saw one. Just make sure that you strips the cabinets either chemically or mechanically, and sand them really well. Painting unprepared cabinets often leads to bubbling, flaking, or chipping due to the greasy and dirty kitchen environment. If you do choose to paint consult friends, family, and professionals about what color combinations go well. One of the hot trends in recent years is the all-white look. It involves painting the cabinetry both inside and out, then adding hardware that is classy but not too loud or obnoxious.
If you or one of the family members has artistic skills, designs can be painted on the doors with stencils. Free-hand designs can look great if done by a good artist with a keen eye for complimenting colors. You might even think about adding an accent panel to the door, or even cutting out the center and replacing it with a different material, such as glass. Veneers and laminates are another option for homeowners. It is a more costly option which also requires more time and skill. If done correctly though, a new veneer or laminate become a total transformation of the existing cabinetry.
So don’t fear the kitchen this spring, men. Embrace the cabinetry, make your wife proud she married you!
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