Budget-Friendly Cabinet Updates for a Kitchen Remodel

Kitchens are the most expensive room in the house to update, but remodeling doesn’t necessarily have to cost you a fortune. Simple improvements to your kitchen cabinets can give them a whole new look. Replacing all of your cabinets can be expensive, but replacing the hardware or giving them a fresh coat of paint is not at all. Are your cabinets old and outdated? Try these budget-friendly cabinet updates for a kitchen remodel.

Hardware replacement

Hardware consists of knobs, handles and hinges on your cabinets. Replacing them with new pieces can give your cabinets a brand new look. Keep in mind, though, when you are buying new hardware, you should remove one of the pulls or hinges to take along when you go shopping. Too often, I had to deal with customers who wanted new hinges, but didn’t know what kind they needed and customers who wanted to replace existing handles, but didn’t know how far apart the screw holes were.

Cabinet refacing

Rather than stripping and refinishing your cabinets, it might be easier to order new doors and drawer fronts. This way, you can even choose a new, updated door style if you like. There are hundreds of door styles available on today’s market. When refacing your cabinets, you can either have them stained to match the existing color, or you can strip the cabinet fronts and stain them a new color.

New countertops

Replacing outdated countertops is a big step toward giving your kitchen a new look, and new tops don’t have to cost a lot of money. If your budget is small, look into the many different laminates available. They are inexpensive and easy to replace if you decide to splurge on something nicer a few years down the road.

Fresh coat of paint

Painting over ugly, outdated cabinets is a popular solution to giving the kitchen a fresh look. Although white is a common choice, you can choose from nearly any color you want. However, don’t use just any paint you find; make sure to use enamel that was made for painting over wood. Latex wall paint will chip and never really hardens properly, so it might feel tacky to the touch.

Island addition

Rather than replacing all your cabinets, why not install a new island in the center of your cooking area? It is much less expensive than buying all new cabinetry, and you can use your creativity when choosing the materials. Either match your existing stain or paint color, or choose one that complements it. If you would like a better quality countertop, choose quartz or granite for the island since it is much smaller and will cost a lot less than new tops for the perimeter.

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