When thinking about remodeling, many homeowners pick the kitchen as the place to give the most return on money invested. 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 part in the overall appearance of the kitchen, so beginning with the cabinets is a wise idea. If you do decide to begin with the cabinets, do you want to update the ones you currently have or just purchase new ones?
Before you determine whether to buy new cabinets or re-finish your own, there are several things to think about. Primarily, do you really have the time to finish the project if you do it on your own? Next, how much money do you have to spend? Finally, what is the state of your existing cabinets? If the cabinets are not in excellent condition, then replacing them may be your smartest option anyway. If you determined that your budget is limited, then refinishing your cabinets could be your best option, as long as the cabinets are in good shape structurally.
How to Pick New Kitchen Cabinets
Before you go out and buy new cabinets, here are some tips for picking new cabinets. Initially, take some time to do some informal research. Browse through magazines, home improvement stores, and websites for updated cabinet styles. Looking at what is available will help you determine what exactly you want. Consider a variety of colors, sizes, styles and different materials before you decide what you positively want. Think about what is going to be the most attractive in your kitchen.
The next item on your list is determining the size of your new cabinets. If you like the size of your current cabinets, then all you will have to do is measure those and give the numbers to the person where you buy the cabinets. Sometimes you have the space put in larger cabinets. If this is what you are planing to do, you will have to determine exactly how much additional space you have. Some stores will send someone out to take these measurements for you.
The final principal is to be realistic about your abilities as a do-it-yourself cabinet installer. It is perfectly fine if you are not able to tear out and install new cabinets on your own. If you are not sure about completing the task, it is simple enough to call a reliable contractor to get the project done for you. Some home improvement stores even offer installation services.
Doing Your Cabinet Re-Facing on Your Own
Although it may sound difficult, re-facing your kitchen cabinets is not actually that hard of a task. It is a fantastic way to save money while giving your kitchen a fresh, new look. There are loads of websites and magazines that will take you through the process, but essentially to re-face your cabinets you need to complete several steps. To begin, remove the hardware and doors from the cupboards that you currently have.
After that, strip off the finish from your kitchen cabinets. You can use varied grades of sandpaper or an orbital sander for this task. Sanding your cabinets also helps smooth out any scratches, and you can use a wood filler to take care of any deep blemishes. Then, rub the surfaces with a solution safe for wood. This helps eliminate the powder from sanding and makes sure your cabinets are clean.
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 meticulously, as different kinds of products must be applied differently and have varied drying times. Next, you reinstall the handles, hinges and doors.
Remember, you can give your re-facing project an extra kick when you install new hardware or various shades of stain.
