Sitka Projects Blog

If your kitchen is in need of an upgrade but you are not ready to completely remodel, one option is to give the room a facelift by updating your kitchen cabinets. You can reface cabinets, which gives them a new exterior look but does not change the basic structure, or you can replace them with an entirely new cabinetry system. The decision to reface or replace depends upon your budget and design needs.

Refacing Kitchen Cabinets

Hands-down, refacing your kitchen cabinets is the easiest and least expensive way to transform the look of your kitchen. This is also a good option if you are happy with the overall placement of the cabinets and their foundation is still in good condition. When you reface cabinets, you essentially install new doors and drawer fronts as well as cover the cabinet face frames with a coordinating material. Refinishing kitchen cabinets and drawers is a good way to give your kitchen a quick and inexpensive facelift.

Replacing Kitchen Cabinets

There are instances when you need to start from scratch and replace all the cabinetry in your kitchen. With the right system in place, you can both add to the efficiency and overall look of your kitchen and potentially increase the value of your home. If you are not sure whether you need to replace your cabinets, see if any of the following apply to you.

Structural Problems or Weaknesses
Problems or weaknesses in a cabinetry system can pose a danger to you and your family — not to mentions the items within the cabinet should the unit fall. Cabinets may be weak if they are old, have suffered mold or water damage or have been damaged by termites. If your kitchen cabinets have become structurally unsound, you can kill two birds with one stone by installing new custom cabinetry.

Poor Kitchen Layout
If cooking feels like running a marathon because your cabinets are inconveniently placed, it may be time to remedy the situation. Often the layout of a kitchen is reason enough to replace the cabinetry. Kitchen cabinets should be easy to access throughout the room, they should be unobstructed, and their locations should make sense. Having the right cabinets in the right locations will also make cooking and spending time in the kitchen more enjoyable.

Cabinets are Non-Functional
When you do not know what is in the back of your corner cabinets because can’t reach that far, this calls for a change. Cabinets that are non-functional because of their depth (or lack thereof), height or location only take up precious real estate you could be using to free up some much-needed counter or shelf space. Kitchen cabinet redesigning allows you to regain control over your cabinets and make them work for you.

Accessibility Issues
In your kitchen, you need to have access to everyday items in your cabinets without straining or accidentally hurting yourself. When you install new or custom cabinetry, take advantage of the fact that you can have the hardware tailored to you or your family’s accessibility needs.

You Want to Unleash Your Creativity
You will find that kitchen cabinet redesigning is a fun process when you let your creative juices flow. Sometimes you just need to replace your kitchen cabinets because you are looking for a fresh start, a totally new look or just have the itch to create something new. The cabinets you design will help bring you closer to the kitchen of your dreams without the dream kitchen price tag.

If any of these situations apply to you, you may want to consider replacing your cabinets entirely. A local remodeling professional who specialize in kitchen cabinet redesigning and other remodeling needs, such as custom bathroom cabinets, can find just the right design and products to help you meet your custom cabinetry needs. Turn your kitchen design dreams into a reality, beginning with the cabinetry.

~Flora Richards-Gustafson, 2010

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