Interiors

Can’t Paint Your Kitchen Cabinets? Reface!

You don’t have to completely gut your kitchen and do an intensive kitchen remodeling to update it. Just by refacing your cabinets, it could dramatically switch up the look and flow of your kitchen. The nice part of it all is that it could all be done without spending large amounts of money and time. Oftentimes, you don’t even have to make major changes to see a difference. Even the slightest updates could freshen up the space.

Cabinet refacing involves the replacement of doors and drawer fronts while leaving the actual cabinet intact. Refacing kitchen cabinets has become incredibly popular over the last few years for a few reasons. First off, there are several materials and styles to choose from for cabinets now. The lower cost of refacing in comparison to a major renovation is also attractive to many homeowners. According to The National Association of Realtors, new cabinets can cost anywhere from $3,900 to $12,000. Instead of forking out all of this money, homeowners may feel compelled to slather on a fresh coat of paint on the doors and drawers or replace the hardware.

Decide if Refacing is the Right Option for You

Just like with anything else in life, you’ll have to weigh the pros and cons of this decision before you go for it. When you reface kitchen cabinets, the project will still allow you to use and be in your kitchen. It’s not nearly as disruptive as a total kitchen remodeling where you might not even be able to be in there for several weeks. Depending on what your design plan is, this project can be completed in just a couple of days.

Do you like your current kitchen layout and setup? That’s something you should decide on because refacing won’t be able to change how your kitchen is laid out. It’s a fantastic way to update the look of your kitchen, but it won’t change the fundamentals of it. However, if you have enough space, you could add extra cabinets for that much needed storage space.

If you’re committed to living a green lifestyle, then it would be a bonus to know that your cabinetry won’t be headed for the landfills when you reface. Many cabinets are made of MDF which contains formaldehyde. But since you’ll be working with what you already have, there’s no need to worry about having more trees taken down to make new cabinets.

This is a Good Idea if You Just Want to Make Aesthetic Changes

This is the route you want to take if you’re really looking to update the look of your cabinets and not its structure. It’s totally understandable if the surfaces have started to look worn out after a few years of wear and tear. Sometimes, they might just look super out-dated and are in need of a makeover to bring them back to the present. A nice coat of paint or changing the hardware could make a night and day difference. However, if your cabinets are badly damaged and falling apart, it might be a wiser move to invest in new cabinetry altogether. You can’t salvage them if they’re made of cheap material or damaged by water.

Remove Cabinet Doors Altogether

For a complete change, consider open-shelf cabinets. Instead of replacing the doors, you can remove them altogether for a totally different vibe and aesthetic. This option would also certainly cut the project costs. Of course, this idea should only be entertained if it fits your taste and the rest of your kitchen’s design.

DIY Versus Hiring Professional Help

If you don’t intend to do extensive and super complicated work, then this could be a DIY project. Whether you’re painting or replacing the knobs, these tasks should be simple enough to do without hiring a third party. If you don’t feel comfortable tackling the project by yourself, then there’s no harm in enlisting a professional to do the work. They would be especially helpful to work with if you want more extensive changes to be done like replacing doors or repairing damaged wood. By choosing a professional who has tons of experience in the industry, you can also be confident that they can do the job properly.

If you have any questions, please ask below!