Kitchen cabinet finishes
Some kitchens feel old long before the cabinets actually wear out. Worn wood, doors that no longer match, and outdated hardware can make a kitchen feel tired even if the cabinet boxes themselves are still strong and functional. Cabinet refacing allows you to update your kitchen without having to replace your cabinets entirely.
For residents in Davie, cabinet refacing may be a good idea if the main goal is to give the kitchen a fresh look without ripping out cabinets that are still functional. This method updates the cabinets while keeping the original cabinet boxes intact.
How Cabinet Refacing Works
Cabinet refacing leaves the cabinet boxes in place, and covers the exposed front sides of those boxes with a new material that matches the existing cabinets. The old doors and drawer fronts are replaced, along with new hinges, knobs, and handles.
Cabinet refacing can give a kitchen a brand-new look. For example, it can transform a kitchen with dated raised panel doors into a kitchen with sleek modern cabinets, or it can update an older painted cabinet with a different paint color and new door fronts.
You might consider refacing your cabinets (forbes.com/home-improvement is the page I keep coming back to) if the following conditions are met:
- Your cabinet boxes are level, structurally sound, and free from excessive water damage.
- Your current kitchen layout meets your cooking and storage needs.
- The drawers in your kitchen either slide out smoothly or would be easy to fix without having to replace the whole cabinet box.
- You want a more modern looking kitchen without making changes to the location of plumbing or appliances.
When deciding to reface cabinets, the things you notice first are the doors, the color and type of the surface finish, and the hardware. Those decisions are just as important as the refacing material – more on cabinet refacing Davie if you want that route.
When Cabinet Refacing Might Not Be the Answer
Not every kitchen is suitable for cabinet refacing. Refacing doesn’t address any structural issues that may exist within the cabinet boxes behind the doors and drawers. If the cabinet boxes are bent, have water damage, or are not properly secured to the wall, then replacing your cabinets might be the best choice – more here.
It also won’t work for kitchens that need changes to their layout. If you’re considering adding a large pantry, changing the location of the sink or appliances, or needing more space around a tight cooking area, you may need more extensive cabinet work.
Be sure that a cabinet refacing company will verify the doors and drawers will fit properly around appliances, islands, and walls after the new doors and drawer fronts are installed. Even a small change in how thick the doors are can affect how well the kitchen works.
Picking a Look That Lasts
Cabinet door styles and finishes
There are many options to choose from for cabinet refacing, but it’s important to look at what else is in the kitchen before selecting a new finish. Make sure the countertops, floors, backsplash, paint, and lighting all fit with your selection of cabinet colors and styles.
Using wood-look finishes can bring some warmth to the kitchen, whereas using a painted style can help make a smaller kitchen look brighter. Flat panel doors work better in a more contemporary style kitchen, while ornate profiles may work better for a traditional kitchen. The type of hardware you choose can also affect the final look, and simpler handles can blend in, while more ornate knobs can stand out.
Don’t pick and choose individual features for your cabinets; instead, select several finishes that work well together. Hold up samples of cabinet materials next to the countertop to see how they look in the kitchen. A color that looks good in the showroom might end up looking very warm or cool once you place it next to your other materials.
Plan Ahead for Your Refacing Project
Refacing usually takes 3-5 days to complete, based on the size of your kitchen and any custom trim work or repairs that need to be done. Depending on the progress, the kitchen may still be partially usable during that time, but there will be noise, dust, and restricted access to cabinet contents. The team at Kitchen Remodeler Davie is one local company focused on this type of kitchen update.
Make sure to clear dishes, food, and small appliances out of the cabinets being refaced prior to starting the project. Have a separate place for items like coffee, pet food, and cooking utensils that you will continue to use during the refacing. Find out what will happen to the discarded cabinet doors, drawer fronts, and excess refacing material when the work is done.
In addition, ask if the quote accounts for things like uneven walls or replacing drawer slides, or putting in new soft-close hinges. It doesn’t hurt to upgrade your drawers a little bit, and you want to be aware of all changes before the job starts.
Refreshing Your Kitchen Without Completely Replacing Cabinets
Cabinet refacing works best in kitchens that have a solid base but just need an updated look. It is a way to keep the existing layout of your kitchen, minimize the disruption to your life, and allocate your budget towards the things in your kitchen you see and use the most. Before requesting a quote for refacing, open your cabinets, look for signs of water damage, and identify any doors or drawers that need to be replaced.
