If you are in the mood to freshen up your kitchen but do not want to spend a great deal of money, there are many things you can do to completely change the look of your cabinets.  Everyone knows that having new cabinets built is extremely expensive; in fact, it’s one of the most costly projects in the kitchen.  In this article, you will learn about many different ways to transform the look of your kitchen cabinets.

Paint – the solution for nearly every decorating problem

Paint has always been one of the cheapest and easiest ways to decorate your home; it’s also a great way to change up your kitchen cabinets.

To do the best job, remove the doors from the hinges so that you can paint the insides as well.  If you have grooves or inserts, consider painting them a different color from the frames.  If your kitchen is decorated in a country theme, a mixture of worn country blue and soft yellow creates a unique look.

For a modern look, consider painting your cabinets bright white.  Sand down the old finish first and clean thoroughly to remove any built-up grease and grime.  Use a bright white semi-gloss finish, and consider using a primer before you apply the paint for a look that lasts for years.

If you love a bright, contemporary look, paint your kitchen cabinets completely different colors!  Using high-gloss primary colors, paint your kitchen cabinets alternating blue, red, green and yellow.  Once the paint has dried, apply a final layer of high-gloss clear acrylic varnish.

Sand your kitchen cabinets for a country or rustic look

If you prefer the old-time charm of a country or rustic kitchen, consider sanding the cabinet doors so that they take on a worn look.

Remove the doors from the hinges, then sand around inserts and edges, or anywhere the cabinets would normally wear.  If your cabinets are painted, use a rough textured sandpaper to get the look you want.  You can sand the entire door, just make certain that you always sand in the same direction so that the look is uniform.

Change out the hardware

Once you have completed your painting or sanding project, consider changing the hardware to give your kitchen cabinets a totally new look.  If your drawer pulls and door handles are plain, look for decorative knobs.  If you prefer a modern, sleek appeal, straight steel handles may be what you prefer.

Consider the theme of your kitchen when choosing hardware.  The hardware you choose will depend on whether you are striving for a country look, traditional or European appeal, or something ultra-chic and modern.  If the hinges are in view, change those out as well to match the rest of the hardware.

Giving your kitchen cabinets an entirely new look can be accomplished without spending a bundle!  Hopefully, these ideas will help you give your kitchen a fresh new appeal that suits your design tastes – without breaking the bank.

Every homeowner dreads when the time comes for new cabinets, as this is one of the biggest expenses around when it comes to remodeling their home.  Whether the cabinets are worn out, or you simply want to give your kitchen a fresh new look, you can do it yourself for a fraction of the cost of professionally installed new boxes.  This article explains how to reface your cabinet doors using veneers, saving you potentially thousands of dollars.

Avoid taking shortcuts

Many people tend to take shortcuts when working on a project.  With this one, don’t attempt to complete the work without removing the cabinet doors. Take the cabinet doors and all the hardware off, including screws and hinges.  This will help you avoid possibly scratching other surfaces as well as yourself.

How to begin

Now that you have the cabinet doors and hardware removed, begin by sanding the doors.  In order to install veneers so that they look beautiful and last for years, you need to sand the sides of the doors and the face frame down to the bare wood.  This helps give you a good sealing surface, so that veneers adhere properly.  Use a coarse sand paper in the beginning, and then switch to a finer sand paper to complete the work.

Be sure to clear away all of the wood dust and other debris from surfaces by vacuuming and using a tack cloth.  Veneers will adhere well giving a smooth, professional look only if all sawdust is thoroughly removed.

Preparing veneers

This step is where patience will pay off!  Don’t try to hurry as you measure and cut veneers for the face and sides of your cabinets.  Measure your face frame and sides, and measure again to make certain you have the exact measurement, then cut the veneer to the exact size you need.  By making sure you do it right the first time, you won’t waste your veneer making inaccurate cuts.

Now it is time to install the veneer on to the cabinet door.  For this step, you will need to use contact cement applied to both the back of the veneer and the bare wood of the cabinet door.  This will ensure that you get a solid contact with no air bubbles, that way the finished look is smooth and professional.  Once you place the veneer and know that it is aligned properly, use a roller to press all surfaces down and ensure thorough adhesion.

Final Steps

Once you have applied the veneer to the cabinet door and edges, inspect your work at once.  If you see any glue drips, cracks or veneers that appear to be misaligned, take care of the problem now.  It’s much easier to correct a mistake now rather than wait until the glue has set up hard.

Now you are ready to re-hang your cabinet doors!  Once they are thoroughly dry, begin hanging and replacing hardware and hinges.  Place the doors on their hardware.  Once they are in place, simply wipe off any smudges or fingerprints you may have left with a cloth, then apply a little furniture polish with a soft rag to protect your cabinets and give them a soft sheen.

As you can see, this project does take a little work, but the savings make it well worth your efforts.  Anyone can give their cabinets a great new look with just a little elbow grease!

Do you have older kitchen cabinets that you either want to keep or can’t afford to replace? There are several ways to update those cabinets to look nicer and better fit with your kitchen décor. Here are some easy ways to update your kitchen cabinets without having to commit a lot of time or money to the project.

Add New Hardware to the Kitchen Cabinets
Choose new hardware, for a very simple and inexpensive way to update your kitchen cabinets. By adding new pulls or handles, you can really change the look of a cabinet. Cabinet hardware doesn’t take long to install and it’s also inexpensive. Unique handmade or hand-painted cabinet pulls will really spruce up your cabinets and add a creative touch to your kitchen décor.

Paint the Kitchen Cabinets
It’s easier than you think to paint kitchen cabinets. You may not even have to sand them before painting, depending on the style and color of your old cabinets. The easiest way to paint cabinets is to remove the doors and paint them on a flat surface. This way you’ll get the best possible coverage.

When you choose a new color, you can completely change the look of the room. For instance, by painting the cabinets a particular shade, you can turn a country kitchen into a modern-style décor. This type of painting project usually takes a weekend, leaving you with a kitchen that looks brand-new come Monday morning.

Take the Doors Off the Cabinets
A quick way to update kitchen cabinets is to remove the doors from at least some of the units. You can use this space to show off what’s inside those cabinets or showcase a collection that enhances your kitchen’s theme or style. You don’t have to take off every cabinet door; even just two open cabinets can change the entire look of the kitchen. Before you remove the doors, however, be sure that you are committed to keeping the inside of those cabinets clean and organized, and are comfortable displaying the items inside. For example, a collection of plastic cups will not make as wonderful of a kitchen accessory as antique china.

Replace the Cabinet Doors
A great way to update your kitchen and have cabinets that fit with the style you’re going for is to replace your kitchen cabinet doors. When it comes to kitchen cabinet doors, you have plenty of different options. For instance, you can find doors that have designs built in to them. There are also doors that have windows. You want the cabinets to match the rest of the décor, so be sure to look for a cabinet door that will fit in with the theme and style of your kitchen. Before you pick out your doors, make sure they’re going to fit properly by taking careful measurements  of your cabinets.

Any of these ideas for updating your kitchen cabinets can help take your kitchen from old to stylish and new. You can dramatically change the look of your kitchen with any of these renovations—and none of them will cost you thousands of dollars. Once you decide which option will work best for your cabinets and your kitchen, you can start updating your look.