Refinish, Reface or Replace Your Kitchen Cupboards – What the Experts Say

Whether or not you choose to reface, refinish or replace your kitchen cupboards will depend on many things, but primarily your budget.

Beyond the budget other things that you will need to take into consideration are, the condition of the existing cupboards, how much work you want to do and your actual creative capabilities, if you intend to do it yourself.

According to Jeanie Veitch, in her article ‘dream kitchen on a dime,’ before you begin you should visit kitchen design stores to get ideas and talk with contractors and remodeling professionals to get a better sense of what might actually be possible on your budget.

Always take a sketch of your existing kitchen with you when you visit with professionals who can give you up-to-date information on all the latest trends and products.

The largest expense in most kitchen remodeling projects is the cabinets. If your cabinets are structurally sound but just look outdated then refinishing or refacing them will give your kitchen an instant facelift,” Veitch said.

A fresh coat of paint can bring your kitchen back to life without breaking the bank.

Scott Gibson, This old house magazine, says that even the highest-quality paint job can’t cure the evils of a kitchen that is badly designed, nor can it hide fundamental flaws in the structure of the cabinets.

Because old cabinets sag and chip and belly, Gibson suggests that even though you can replace doors and drawers, widespread structural problems such as warping of doors, would render cabinets a bad bet for refinishing, or much of anything else.

“You would be better off replacing them. But if damage seems limited to worn surfaces, nicks and dings, paint can work miracles, especially coupled with new cabinet hardware,” Gibson said.

If you decide that refacing is what you wish to do with your kitchen cupboards, Alison Beatty, Face your kitchen columnist, suggests that you consider combining a new countertop and look for designs that will blend with your cabinet refacing project.

Among the popular colors in today’s kitchen designs are earth tones, such as sage, caramel and mocha, bold colors, such as reds, oranges and yellows,” Beatty said.

Beatty says that granite countertops are considered all the rage because the shiny, natural stone adds a sophisticated look to the kitchen when paired with newly refaced cabinets.

“The look can be stunning,” she said.

Kirk Bangstad, also a Face your kitchen columnist, says that consumers are a tricky bunch, who think that because refacing your cabinets is so inexpensive that it can’t produce an effective result; he says this a myth, and refacing can be very effective.

Those who question the quality of kitchen cabinet refacing have probably never seen a kitchen with refaced cabinets. Kitchen cabinet refacing can achieve a breathtaking effect in a kitchen if the project is done by a reputable professional. If you are on the fence about cabinet refacing, you should check out a cabinet refacing example before you make up your mind,” explained Bangstad.

Once you have decided what you want to do, the next step is to select quality materials for the job. Whether it is paint, stripper, varnish, brushes, countertops or a complete new set of kitchen cupboards, selecting quality materials to work with and a reputable set of professionals, if you are not doing the job yourself, is of the utmost importance.

You may not be able to afford crown molding for your cabinets, or the soapstone countertop of your dreams, but choose the best you possibly can for your money,” said Veitch.

Other items that you may want to consider in your kitchen are:

A tile backsplash.

New window treatments.

Minimizing your gadgets.

Installing new lighting.

An island or a free standing unit.

Things to consider when getting started are:

Drawing a plan of your kitchen as it is.

Choosing large appliances and features first.

Making the rounds of local kitchen unit companies for inspiration.

Choosing cabinet style or finishing style and color.

Finding a great countertop for the finishing touch.

If you want to know how to Shabby chic, collage or sponge, check out my other articles.