While full kitchen remodels get all the glory, there are times where the simplest fix is the most obvious one in an outdated design. Perhaps the previous owners countertops are high-quality quartz but the cabinets are too modern for your taste. Or, there are times where a full kitchen remodel would be awesome - but the budget simply isn't available for that. In this case, a phased remodeling approach can be a frugal way to improve a kitchen on a budget, enjoying its transformation year-by-year.
Before Cabinet Refacing
Cabinet Refacing - Laminate Chestnut Cabinets with Black Glaze
Replace Cabinet Doors & Leave Everything Else the Same
Since the cabinets comprise the largest amount of visual square footage in the kitchen, they are the best place to start. Replacing cabinet doors provides an instant kitchen facelift. Not convinced? Check out, "10 Stunning Kitchen Transformations That We Only Changed the Cabinets," to see what a difference this single change can make.
If your countertops and wall colors are cohesive, a cabinet door replacement may be all you need to do in order to live in a kitchen you love.
Otherwise, you may find you're ready to update light fixtures or add a fresh coat of paint to make sure your cabinets don't outshine the rest of the kitchen's fixtures and finishes. In any case, here are the steps required to replace your cabinet doors:
Schedule a Consultation
Your first step is to schedule a consultation with a company who excels at cabinet refacing. In essence, that's what you're doing, even if you're opting out of the full cabinet refacing process, which reinforces the cabinet box and makes sure that all of the veneers are a solid match.
Sometimes, customers who planned on replacing doors wind up refacing their cabinets when they find out how affordable it is.
Note: Make sure you're comparing "apples-to-apples" when reviewing estimates from different companies. For example, at Kitchen Magic, installation is always included in the total price. Also, when choosing a kitchen design-build team, always go with the one you would choose if you were doing a full remodel anyway. That way, should you decide to continue with the remodeling process down the road, you'll already have a trusted design-build team at the ready.
Match the Cabinet Doors
Of course, the biggest challenge will be matching new cabinet doors to used cabinet boxes and frames - assuming the cabinets are framed. This is another reason a consultation is key. You can't do this by taking a picture of your kitchen and bringing it into a showroom.
A rep will need to bring a selection of cabinet doors to find the one that matches the closest. In many cases, white cabinets are the way to go. The boxes can be repainted if need be and the doors will be a closer match.
Consider Making Hardware Changes
As long as you're springing for new cabinet doors, why not go for the hardware as well? This can feel like a two-for-one since hardware makes an impact on your overall design. If you've had cabinet doors without hardware, or your hardware is outdated, the combination of brand new cabinet doors and drawer pulls and knobs that align with your design tastes will make a remarkable difference.
Read, Brass From the Past: How to Update Your Outdated Hardware, for ideas on matching cabinet hardware to your design preferences.
Think all your kitchen needs is some new cabinet doors? Let's work together to find the perfect match. Contact Kitchen Magic to schedule a FREE, in-home consultation with one of our resident design experts. We'll bring door samples galore to select the best options for your cabinets.
