A Guide for Choosing between Refinishing or Picking Out New Kitchen Cabinets

Oct 10
08:06

2008

Karen Bellas

Karen Bellas

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Things to consider when thinking about doing a kitchen renovation. Should you buy new cabinets or re-face the old ones.

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When thinking about renovating,A Guide for Choosing between Refinishing or Picking Out New Kitchen Cabinets Articles many homeowners pick the kitchen as the place to give time and attention for investment purposes. An updated kitchen is really a nice thing to have whether you are going to sell your home soon or if you plan to remain in your residence for many years to come. The cabinets in a kitchen play an important role in the overall appearance of the room, so starting with the cabinets is a wise idea. If you do decide to begin with the cupboards, do you want to fix up the ones you currently have or just purchase new ones?

The elements you need to take into account when making this decision are how much you have available to spend on the entire project, whether or not your existing cabinets are in good condition, and if you realistically have the time to complete the project. If you have the money to invest in 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 space for what you require. If not, that is another reason to go for the replacement option. If you have only 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.

Three Guidelines for Selecting New Kitchen Cabinets

If you choose to install new kitchen cabinets, three significant tips can help you visit your local home improvement store prepared.

1. Browse home improvement magazines and websites for images of updated kitchen cabinet styles. These sources will help you figure out what styles, sizes, colors and materials are most suited to your needs and your kitchen's décor. You may even want to bring along paint samples to compare with the colors of the various cabinets at the store.

2. Know how much room you have available. If you plan to install new cabinets of the same size and shape as your existing cabinets, you are in the clear. Simply tell the store assistant the current cabinets' measurements. However, if you want to install different cabinets, you will need to let the assistant know how much space you have available. The store may even send an expert to assist you in measuring your available cabinet space.

3. Acknowledge, and accept, your cabinet-installation abilities. DIY home improvement is a huge market, but not everyone is able to do demolition and installation. That's OK! If you need someone to remove your old cabinets and install your new models, look into reputable contractors or find out what services your home improvement store offers.

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 fresher, while you save funds. There are a few steps to the process. The first thing that you must do is to remove the hardware and doors from the cabinets that you presently have.

You can now remove the old finish from the original cabinets. Sand the cabinets by hand or by employing an orbital sander. The process will also smooth out any scratches that are on the surface of your cabinets. Use a wood filler on larger marks. After you have completed sanding, wipe down the surface with a wood surface cleaner. This will help you eliminate the dust on the cabinet's exterior.

Now you are ready for putting  the stain and sealer on the cabinets. Some people use paint brushes for this step, while others use a soft cloth. Read the packaging on the product you pick very carefully, as different kinds of products must be applied differently and have varied drying times. Next, you put back on the hardware and doors.

Refinishing your cabinets can be a great way to upgrade the appearance of the kitchen, so if you want new hardware or fun colors, try it out!

Check out the great kitchens in Phoenix homes for sale in all types of houses. You will find that retirement property in Arizona have awesome kitchens also.