Kitchen Cabinet Makeover on a Budget

With the world firmly entrenched in a recession, homeowners might be thinking that this spring is not the ideal time to be contemplating a kitchen overhaul. As the heart of the kitchen, kitchen cabinets often come to mind when it comes to renovating a room. Unfortunately, new custom-built kitchen cabinets are expensive and out of the budget for most recession-eager homeowners today. Fortunately, however, there are many affordable alternatives.

The Daily Journal recently addressed this topic in its spring home improvement section with an article titled “Cost-effective ways to rejuvenate one of the busiest rooms.” That room the publication is talking about, of course, is the kitchen. So what clever ways did the newspaper and its expert sources come up with to take the financial sting out of a cabinet review?

1. Consider relining your kitchen cabinets instead of replacing them. Your local home improvement center can give you a good idea of ​​what your new door fronts will cost. Such a supercenter can also give you a look at all your cabinet door options in one convenient place. The wide variety of wood species, door shapes, and finish options can overwhelm you at first. However, retailer staff can help you understand all of your options so you can select the right door fronts to fit your needs and lifestyle. As long as the basic construction of your cabinets is in solid shape, refinishing is a great money-saving option. However, it is not always the least expensive route.

2. Look for kitchen cabinets that are assembled and ready to assemble. One of the homeowners featured in the article “assumed[refacing the kitchen cabinet]would be less expensive than taking out the old cabinets and starting over. The price [for such refacing, however,] it was not cheap. Ultimately, the owner was able to remove all of the old cabinets, replace them with semi-custom wood cabinets, install Corian countertops, and install a tile backsplash for $4,000 less.” Custom designed, but much more wallet-friendly.

3. Consider the fact that your cabinets may not need any work at all. If you’re looking for a quick and easy upgrade that will give your existing quality-built cabinets a whole new look, a simple and inexpensive upgrade to your hardware may be all you need. “If the cabinets are made of wood and are in good working order, buy new hardware, knobs, and hinges for much less money than replacement cabinets,” one expert recommended. Decorative accents add the finishing touch to your cabinets. These upgrades personalize your cabinets for a look that reflects your personal style…and won’t put a strain on your bank account.

4. When all else fails, you can’t go wrong with a fresh coat of paint. “A homeowner can get a new makeover on their existing cabinets without all the mess and hassle of the project, using a washable semi-gloss oil-based paint, and the cost will range from $1,200 to $1,500.”

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