In many homes, the kitchen is the most used room by every member of the family. This area is where meals are prepared and enjoyed. It is also where many families spend quality time with each other. However, when the kitchen begins to look dated and drab, it is no longer the warm and inviting area it once was. Fortunately, redecorating the kitchen can help restore the room’s appeal.
Kitchen Redecorating
Redecorating a kitchen is a great way to boost enjoyment for everyone who enters the area. Unfortunately, a full redecorating can be quite costly. However, homeowners can boost the appeal with simple changes, such as cabinet painting, to help give the room a new look.
Even the most beautiful kitchen décor becomes outdated over time. Even vivid colors can fade, and areas can begin to show signs of wear and tear. Although many homeowners may wish to completely change the entirety of their kitchen every few years, it is often not within their budget to do so.
When budget constraints prevent a kitchen restoration, there are options to help homeowners bring the kitchen back to life. New paint options, updated flooring, or even some new furniture pieces could help the job. However, sprucing up the kitchen cabinets is probably the most economical option that will provide the most impact on the appearance of the room.
Cabinets
Most kitchens have many cabinets all along the wall and floor of the room. These cabinets help provide storage for the various items needed in the kitchen. They help to hide the clutter away to keep the room neat and tidy. The more cabinets in a kitchen, the easier it is to keep all that is needed in a convenient area.
In most cases, the kitchen cabinets are the first thing a person notices upon entering. Not only do they take up so much space in the kitchen, but they are also the most predominant items in the kitchen outside of the appliances.
When planning to redecorate a kitchen on a budget, sprucing up the cabinets can be the perfect option. Since the cabinets take up a great deal of the visual space in the room, a change could make a big difference in the kitchen’s appearance.
However, if planning to change the cabinets, homeowners must decide how to approach this change. Homeowners can choose to completely replace the cabinets or choose to give the cabinets a new look. If choosing a new look, the next decision is to decide whether to reface the cabinets or simply repaint them.
Replacing the Cabinets
Replacing all the cabinets in the kitchen is one way to renew the look of the room. Homeowners can choose an updated type of cabinet in the color or style they prefer. Replacing every cabinet in the area to ensure a proper match will offer a great new look at a greatly reduced price than an entire kitchen makeover.
There is a lot of work involved in replacing the cabinets, however. Each cabinet must be emptied and carefully unattached from the walls. Under the counter cabinets must be removed as well. Once the new cabinets are purchased, they must then be properly attached to their respective place and filled with the various kitchen items.
Not only will replacing the cabinets take a lot of time and effort, but it will also leave the household unable to use the kitchen until the work is done. Although homeowners can save money by doing the job themselves, many homeowners do not have the tools or the skills necessary to do so.
Although far cheaper than completely redoing the kitchen, purchasing new cabinets for the kitchen can be expensive. In addition, the cost to have them installed, added to the cost of being unable to use the home’s kitchen, may be far outside the reach of the home’s budget. Cabinet refacing may be a more economical option.
Refacing the Cabinets
If wanting a new look to the kitchen cabinets at a reduced cost, homeowners can choose cabinet refacing. This process requires replacing all the front-facing parts of the cabinets. Doors, drawers, and all visible hardware can be replaced to give the kitchen the appearance of new cabinets, but the existing cabinetry framework remains in place.
Unlike removing the entirety of the cabinets, refacing can be performed in as little as a few days. The workers performing the job do not need to be as skilled to remove the doors, drawers, and hardware from the cabinets. There is also no need to remove any plumbing or appliances for this job.
Another cost-saving option for this job is that homeowners with some basic carpentry skills can easily perform this job themselves. Within a few days, homeowners can regain the use of their kitchen and have the updated look they want at a fraction of the cost.
Although this option is far cheaper than a complete kitchen remodel and costs less than replacing all the cabinets in the room, it can still be a cost outside of a homeowner’s budget. Especially in the current economy, homeowners need to watch their budgets closely.
If cabinet refacing is still out of reach for the homeowner’s budget, there is another option to consider. Homeowners can get an updated kitchen in less time at a lower cost than even refacing their cabinets by simply repainting the existing cabinets.
Repainting the Cabinets
For homeowners who need just a simple and cheap method for updating their drab and tired kitchen, cabinet repainting may be the best option. If planning to do it themselves, homeowners only need to find the money to purchase the paint, primer, and materials for the job. Homeowners will also need to allot enough time as this job takes a bit longer than simply refacing the cabinets.
Again, it will take some basic carpentry skills to pull off this job properly. Although homeowners may be tempted to paint the cabinets as is, it takes some serious skills to get the job done right without removing any parts of the cabinet.
The first step in the repainting process is to empty the cabinets and drawers and clear any countertops that may be under the work area. The next step is to remove all cabinet doors, drawers, and hardware before beginning. This process helps to ensure a professional look to the cabinets upon completion.
The next step in the process is to clean the surfaces of the cabinets thoroughly. Grease, dust, and other debris can easily build up on the cabinets which can ruin the paint’s look. Once thoroughly cleaned, all surfaces will need to be lightly sanded.
The next step is to apply the primer. A good primer will help seal away any blemishes in the cabinets and offer a fresh palette for the new paint. Two coats of primer are recommended to ensure a smooth canvas for the color.
It is recommended that a light sanding be performed on the primer after completion to ensure the paint attaches properly. Next, in a dust-free area, paint all sides of the doors and drawers. Next, paint the parts of the cabinets that are still in the kitchen.
When everything is completely dried, the cabinets can be reassembled. Now the cabinets can be refilled with the usual contents and the kitchen put back together. Homeowners should now have the updated look they wanted at a fraction of the price.
For homeowners who do not have the skills, time, or confidence for such a DIY project, there are a variety of contractors available that can help with the process. Very often, they can perform the job for homeowners in less time without raising their overall cost by much. In the end, homeowners will still have an updated kitchen that is budget-friendly.
Choosing the Right Color for the Kitchen
Although homeowners today have a much larger selection of colors and options to choose from when replacing or refacing their cabinets, the options can still be quite limited. Cost and availability can also reduce the color options for homeowners. However, when repainting the cabinets, the choices are wide open.
With today’s advancements in paint colors, homeowners are only limited by their imagination. When updating the kitchen by repainting the cabinets, it is important to choose a color that will catch the eye and make the room look fresh and new.
Although the color options are endless, it may be a good idea for homeowners to consider the current colors in their kitchens before choosing. Opting for a color that clashes with the current décor can make the room difficult to look at. It may also not be very appealing to family members. This unappealing look could also deter family gatherings around the dinner table.
If uncertain of a color, homeowners can explore some recommendations from various home websites. There is a lot of research that goes into specific colors for the home. For example, the color red can stimulate appetite. Darker colors can help make a large kitchen feel more cozy, while lighter colors can feel more spacious.
Regardless of the economy or a home’s budget, homeowners can update their space whenever it is needed. Adding new colors and looks to the home can help boost its appearance and make it a little more pleasant for those living there.
Read Also: Extreme Makeover: 6 Awesome Home Remodeling Ideas
