Resurfacing Kitchen Cabinets

The kitchen cabinets are one of the most visible parts of the kitchen. So we want them to look beautiful and attractive all the time. However, with passage of time, they lose the charm and look dull. In such a scenario, you would have to either replace them with new ones or resurface them. If the structure of the old cabinets are in good condition, then there is no need to replace them. Rather, resurfacing kitchen cabinets is a better option mainly because it is less expensive. By resurfacing, we mean changing the existing surface of the cabinet with the help of a new coat of paint or veneer.

Ideas for Resurfacing Kitchen Cabinets

One of the simplest ways of resurfacing is painting. It will give you an ample amount of scope to use your creative ideas to make the cabinets look beautiful. You can use two different colors for the doors and the rims of the cabinets. For further decoration, stenciling, sponging, rag rolling, color washing are some of the techniques that can be used. If you like the color of the kitchen cabinet wood but just want to brighten them up, then you can opt for staining the wood. Thin laminate veneers are often used to cover up the kitchen cabinets. Its biggest advantage is that it lasts for a long period of time and does not require much care and maintenance. Some of them have the design that looks similar to that of the wood grain. There are many other styles and color of laminate veneers that are available in the market. Wallpaper of various designs can also be used to give a decorative look to the cabinets.

How to Resurface Kitchen Cabinets?

To begin with, separate the doors of the cabinet from the box by removing the hinges. The hardware like door knobs and handles should be detached. Then sand the surface of the wood thoroughly to get rid of the dirt and grime. A medium grade sandpaper will be just right for this purpose. If you have planned to stain finish the surface then only light sanding will be required. In that case, use a fine sandpaper. Make sure you sand the inner side of the cabinet doors as well. Take a damp piece of cloth and wipe off the surface in order to remove all the sanding debris. These debris if not cleaned will become obvious, if you paint or stain the surface.

Now it's time to add a new finish to the cabinets. It could be paint, stain, laminate or wallpaper. Before painting or staining, a thin coat of primer has to be applied. Allow it to dry and then apply the first coat of paint or stain. Once the first coat has dried up, add another coat. For resurfacing with laminate veneers, cut the panels as per the size of each surface. Apply a good quality wood glue at the back of a veneer sheet and place it over the surface of the cabinet. Press it on the wood starting from the edges to the center. Wipe off any excess glue with a damp cloth. After covering up all the wide surfaces, cover up the cabinet rims. Cut thin narrow strips and apply them in the same manner on the frames of the cabinet.

If you plan to hire a professional, then the cost will start from US$1,000 and may rise to US$9,000 depending upon the materials which are being used for resurfacing. However, if you do it yourself, then it is going to cost you around US$200-600 which includes the cost of materials and tools needed for the project. If you have the patience and time to carry out the job, then you should do it yourself. After you have finished with the project, compare the resurfaced kitchen cabinets before and after, and you will be able to make out the difference and will feel proud of yourself!