Kitchen Cabinet Refacing

Published by: Karen Zabel
Published on: 2010-01-10 15:26:13

You've seen them in magazines: those sleek, full-color photographs of custom-crafted kitchens found in today's high-end homes. Offering updated kitchen cabinets, rich wood tones and gleaming glass accents trimmed in coordinating molding, these kitchens are the stuff of dreams...or are they?

Statistics show that kitchen remodeling in Connecticut pays back 98.5 percent of the cost. As far as remodeling is concerned, an updated kitchen is a great investment in the value of your home. But big-ticket upgrades, like new kitchen cabinetry, can cost thousands of dollars, and if your cabinets are solidly constructed to begin with, it seems like a waste to tear them out.

Fortunately, homeowners who are looking for an easy, cost-effective way to upgrade their cabinets have an alternative to ripping out the old and starting from scratch. Cabinet refacing - replacing old, worn door and drawer fronts, as well as cabinet side panels and trim details - can give you the look of new kitchen cabinets at a small fraction of the cost of cabinet replacement, and in far less time than it takes to rip out old cabinets and install new units.

Today's kitchen cabinet refacing options are solidly constructed to your custom specifications, and offer superior wear and finish details over low-end cabinets, yet cost less to install. Just like the high-end cabinet manufacturers, refacing designers update cabinetry finishes and options every season to reflect the most current options in contemporary kitchen design.

Solid woods, veneers and laminates, raised, inset or glass panels, and custom trimwork can turn your kitchen into the showcase of your home. Whether you're looking to create a country French theme, with hand-rubbed white finish drawers and door fronts, or a modern loft look, with boldly colored laminate fronts, refacing has an option that’s right for you.

Just like selecting new cabinets, when choosing refacing options it’s important to consider the overall look you’d like to create. Your refacing installation expert may have design guides to offer you, or use the web to browse through design ideas in the comfort of your home.

To get you started, here are a few simple guidelines:

Don’t forget practicality. An all-white kitchen looks clean and airy, but in some cases – especially if you have children – keeping them clean can be a full-time job. Instead, choose an antiqued finish to help hide fingerprints and smudges between cleanings.
Mix it up. Some of today’s most popular styles incorporate two styles of cabinets into one kitchen, highlighting an island or baking center with a different finish to create the appearance of custom cabinetry. To be on the safe side, combine a wood finish or colored laminate with white to help pull the look together.
Go modern. Today's laminates can add an unexpected and fresh burst of color to your kitchen. Clinical tests have proven that bright red actually stimulated appetite, and adding a few bright red drawer fronts or door fronts can spice up your contemporary kitchen.
Ups and downs. Another common method of combining two types of cabinet styles employs one design on the upper cabinets and a second design style on the lower cabinets. Most designs incorporate white cabinets up top, to give an airy feel, while anchoring the look with wood-toned or colorful laminate cabinets on the bottom level.
Add class with glass. A few glass-fronted cabinets can add a touch of style to a large kitchen, helping to break up an otherwise monotonous line of cabinets. Choose clear glass fronts for cabinets displaying china and other serving ware, or frosted glass for cabinets storing pantry items, to help conceal the contents.

To find a kitchen cabinet contractor in Connecticut, browse our directory and contact us today!

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