9 Ways to Upgrade, Repair & Reconfigure Your Kitchen Cabinets

Make Repairs

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Cabinets can become damaged in a variety of ways, from termites to moisture exposure and plain-old wear and tear. But these damages don’t have to be a death sentence. If the damage isn’t extensive, it might be possible to repair the cabinet(s) in question. If you know your way around a toolbox, you may be able to complete the repairs yourself. Otherwise, consult a professional to determine whether repairs are in order.
 

Replace Hardware

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Sometimes cabinets look outdated simply because they sport hardware from the 1970s. In fact, one of the easiest ways to upgrade your kitchen cabinets is to invest in modern hinges, pulls, or knobs. Before you give up on your cabinets, consider some new hardware. It’s a cost-effective way to make a big difference.
 

Add Under-Cabinet Lighting

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Installing lighting underneath your cabinets can transform them from “meh” to “wow” by creating a warm glow throughout your kitchen and illuminating your workspace. It greatly enhances the functionality of your kitchen by making it easier to see while you prep meals or rummage around in cupboards. Install dimmable under-cabinet lighting to create the feel of a customized space.
 

Install Roll-Out Shelving & Other Organizational Systems

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It’s possible to enhance the functionality of your kitchen without replacing or reconfiguring the cabinets. Simply add roll-out shelving to your bottom cabinets or install other organizational tools in the form of hooks, magnetic spice holders, and more. With just a few DIY upgrades, you can transform your kitchen into a highly functional space.
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Add Crown Molding or Other Trim

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When you’re unhappy with your kitchen cabinets, it’s easy to blame them for all your aesthetic woes. But sometimes it’s the details around your cabinets that make all the difference. Adding crown molding, scribe molding, toe-kick trim, or other trim around your cabinets can make the whole kitchen appear more finished and customized.
 

Paint the Cabinets

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You know how changing out of jeans and into fancy cocktail party clothes can make you feel like you’ve transformed into a different person? The same thing happens when you give your cabinets a costume change in the form of a new coat of paint. Experimenting with different colors can transform the look and feel of your cabinets. Just make sure to match the paint to your kitchen’s appliances, flooring, countertops, and other accents.
 

Reface the Cabinets

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The idea behind refacing is to make cosmetic changes to the visible parts of the cabinets. This process can take several forms, from painting the fronts of the cabinets to installing a veneer over the cabinet fronts or replacing the cabinet doors but leaving the cabinet boxes intact.

 

Add Glass Fronts to Kitchen Cabinet Doors

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Are your cabinet doors too far gone to repaint, reface, or repair? No problem. You can still keep the cabinets mostly intact (and spare yourself the cost of replacing them completely) by removing the doors and swapping in glass fronts. It’s a modern, fresh, and clean option—and if you choose clear glass, it’ll inspire you to keep the cabinets’ contents organized!
 

Reconfigure the Layout

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Moving your existing cabinets around can help you achieve a whole new look. Popular reconfiguration ideas include adding smaller cabinets above the larger ones, re-hanging upper cabinets so they’re flush with the ceiling, removing cabinet doors and converting the cabinets into open shelving, or re-hanging the uppers at a higher height to add shelving underneath. In all cases, the goal is to maximize both appearance and function.  

 

When It’s Time to Replace Your Cabinets

 

Plenty of options lie between you and a total cabinet replacement. But sometimes, it really is time to throw in the towel and invest in a new set of kitchen cabinets. Here are some tell-tale signs that your cabinetry needs to be replaced:

1.  It costs just as much (or more) to repair as it does to upgrade. In this case, you might be better off investing in new cabinets, since they may last longer than the repaired versions.

2.  You want to revamp the entire kitchen layout. While it’s possible to reconfigure the layout of your existing cabinets, you’ll likely be limited in your design. If your goal is a complete kitchen overhaul, it might be necessary to invest in new cabinetry.

3.  The existing kitchen cabinets are damaged beyond repair. Examples include water or mold, or cabinet walls that have become soft or too worn to mount new hardware.

4.  The existing kitchen cabinets are poor quality. It’s probably not worth throwing money at cabinets that weren’t built to stand the test of time. If your cabinets are likely to fall apart again in a year or two, you could be better off skipping the repairs and heading straight for a higher-quality set of cabinets.

Not sure if your kitchen cabinets need to be replaced? Consult an expert before you make any repairs or knock them down. Sometimes, there’s simply no way around the fact that it’s time to replace your kitchen cabinets. But in many cases, a few simple upgrades can transform even the most outdated cabinets from drab to chic.

Click here to see original post by John Moore Services. 

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