The kitchen is one of the rooms in which a homeowner will spend the most time and money for renovation. So, whether you are planning to spend many years in your current home or you want to put it on the market next month, it is wise thinking that you are looking to give your kitchen a face lift. Because of how important and functional they are, cabinets are a great place to begin. But many homeowners are faced with the same question: Should I start from scratch or just update with what I have?
The things you need to think about when making this decision are how much you want to spend on the whole project, whether or not your existing cabinets are in good condition, and if you realistically have the time to complete the undertaking. If you have the money to spend on your kitchen and feel like the cabinets need to be replaced anyway, installing new cabinets is the way to go. Another thing to think about is whether or not the current cabinets are providing enough storage area for what you require. If not, that is another reason to go for the replacement option. If you do have a small amount of money that you can invest in this project, then you can still have an updated kitchen by doing some re-finishing on your own.
Guidelines for Purchasing New Cabinets
If you have opted for new cabinets, picking the new ones can be a intimidating task. Before you purchase anything, consider a few guidelines so that you feel more prepared. Look through magazines and websites to see what the current styles, sizes and colors are. Next, you can start to think about which cabinets will look best with your kitchen’s design.
Sticking with the same size cabinets that you already have is the easiest option. All you need to do is provide the salesman that you are purchasing your cabinets from the measurements of your current cabinets. Likewise, if you are going to go with a bigger cabinet, you will have to carefully measure how much space you actually have. Depending on where you are purchasing your cabinetry, the retailer may send someone to your home to measure the space for you.
Take an inventory of your do-it-yourself skills before you decide to complete the installation on your own. Remember that this project requires removal of the old cabinets in addition to the installation. Don’t hesitate to hire a contractor to complete the project for you if you need to. You can also ask your home improvement store if they provide installation options.
How to Re-face Your Cabinets
It will take some time and exertion, but refinishing your kitchen cabinets is a great way to renovate your kitchen on your own. Your kitchen will look newer, while you save funds. There are several steps to the process. The first thing that you need to do is to remove the hardware and doors from the cabinets that you presently have.
You can now remove whatever finish was on the original cabinets. Sand the cabinets by hand or by employing an orbital sander. The process will also get rid of any scratches that are on the surface of your cabinets. Use a wood filler on anything larger. After you are finished sanding, rub down the surface with a wood surface cleaner. This will help you get rid of the dust on the cabinet’s surface.
Now you are ready for putting the stain and sealer on the cabinets. Some people utilize paint brushes for this procedure, while others use clean rags. Read the packaging on the product you pick meticulously, as different types of stain must be applied differently and have varied drying times. Next, you put back on the handles, hinges and doors.
Refinishing your cabinets can be a great way to improve the appearance of the kitchen, so if you want new hardware or different colors, go for it!
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