If you’ve had your kitchen cabinets for a while, or if you’ve just moved into a new home and decided that the kitchen needs a facelift, you may opt for a kitchen cabinet remodel. Read more on how to best do that.
There are many options to consider when remodeling kitchen cabinets, and it really depends on your available time and money, and what you envision the finished cabinets looking like. Consider renovating your kitchen cabinets if you want to change up the look of your kitchen, but don’t have the time, money, or other resources to completely overhaul the entire room.
You’ll also need to decide whether you plan to do this remodeling project on your own, or with the help of a hired contractor.
The Perfect Kitchen Cabinet Remodel
When deciding to remodel your kitchen cabinets, there are some considerations to keep in mind.
- Are you going to hire a contractor?
- Will you DIY?
- Should you renovate the whole kitchen or just the cabinets?
Regardless, keep these steps in mind for the perfect kitchen cabinet remodel, no matter your vision, budget, or time commitment. Some of these steps will not be necessary, depending on the route you choose for your kitchen cabinet remodel.
However, these 7 steps will ensure you have the best looking cabinets around.
Step 1: Resurface or Replace?
You’ll need to first decide whether you want to refinish/reface or replace your existing kitchen cabinets entirely.
Consider the age and quality of your existing cabinets, and check to see the extent of the damage and wear and tear that exists. If there is water damage, you’ll probably want to replace it entirely. If your cabinets are relatively young and in decent condition, then refacing or refinishing may be a better option.
Step 2: Determine a Budget
Set a budget and stick with it.
Determine what you want and need to spend on remodeling your kitchen cabinets. If you’re planning to do other renovations in your kitchen, then consider how cabinets fit into that budget and determine how big of a priority these are for you.
Step 3: Decide Where Cabinets Will Go
If you’re going to replace your cabinets in your remodeling project, consider these thoughts:
- Determine if you want to change your cabinets’ locations, or keep them where they are. Moving cabinets to new locations or taking cabinets out will involve a bit more planning and preparation to ensure they can be removed seamlessly and that they can be installed elsewhere with the correct measurements.
- Sketch out how you want your new kitchen to look. Be sure to measure twice, and draw out your plan, whether you do it yourself or hire a contractor.
Choosing a kitchen cabinet remodel that keeps your cabinets in the same place may fit better into your schedule and budget – but that is something you must consider.
Step 4: Finding a Contractor
If you plan to hire a contractor for your kitchen cabinet remodel, keep a few of these tips in mind to ensure a great working relationship:
- Read reviews of contractors online and research several options. Evaluate their experience, expertise, and what other clients have said about them online.
- Be sure to speak with any potential contractors before signing them on to your project. Make sure you’re comfortable with their work and trust them to do a good job.
- Get quotes up front to avoid any surprises later on, and to avoid going way over budget.
Step 5: Finding Someone to Refinish Your Cabinets
If your kitchen cabinet remodel includes refinishing your cupboards, you’ll also need to determine if you plan to do it yourself or hire someone else. Most renovations can be done by yourself if you have any degree of experience, but if you doubt your ability, you should probably consult with a professional.
You must also re-consider if you are changing the location of your cabinets, adding additional counter space, including an island, etc.
Step 6: Determining Your Style
Consider how you want to go about refacing/remodeling your kitchen cabinets. There are a few different options that can provide them with a truly transformative look.
For the exterior, consider simply sanding down the existing coat of paint or finish, and then apply a new coat of paint. This is probably the most straightforward option.
You can also opt for a more unique look for your cabinets – a growing trend is a cabinetry with open or clear doors. This helps you see the contents of the cabinets better, and also does quite a bit to open up a room in general. Glass panes can be added with relative ease.
Another option is open shelving – reducing your cabinets to open shelves to show off your china patterns and open up the room even more.
As for the interior, there’s no reason not to freshen up the insides of your cabinets as well. These areas can get damaged and dirty, and are especially at risk of water damage. As stated previously, if any water damage exists, it’s better to plan to replace the cabinet entirely.
Step 7: Add Finishing Accents
Add accents for a great finishing touch to your kitchen cabinet remodel project. There are a few options in terms of adding finishing touches, whether you’ve hired a contractor or are doing the upgrades yourself.
- Consider adding new drawer handles and knobs. You can also color coordinate these with other colors or shades in the kitchen, or match them to your countertops.
- Another option is creating/adding an island with your kitchen cabinets. This has more than just an aesthetic benefit. Kitchen islands not only add more counter space, meaning more space to work while cooking, but they can also provide additional seating areas for family, guests, and for entertaining.
The most important step to keep in mind is to make a sincere effort to stay within your budget. Kitchen upgrades can add beauty and value to the home, but they can also add financial burden and stress if they’re not planned for properly.
Conclusion
If you’re looking forward to a kitchen cabinet remodel, planning and budgeting are the most important steps. Determine whether you plan to do the work yourself, or if you will hire someone to do it for you.
If you’re hiring a contractor, take the time to make sure you find one that you trust and are confident will do a good job.
In terms of remodeling, there are many options for the exterior and interior of kitchen cabinets. You can opt for the simple, straightforward route and sand down and repaint your existing cabinets. Or you can opt for a new style altogether, utilizing open shelving or glass doors on the cabinets instead.
Small accents can really complete the picture and can be an inexpensive way to add a bit more charm to your kitchen cabinets. In addition, carefully consider the hardware you’ll install on your cabinets in terms of handles and knobs. And creating an island, if your kitchen allows for it, is also a great way to transform your kitchen.
Following these steps and keeping these points in mind will ensure a stunning finished kitchen cabinet remodel. So what are you waiting for?