Homeowners can reface, update, or resurface kitchen cabinets to give them a facelift, fresh look, or clean makeover. For instance, if you currently have laminate or wood veneers on your cabinets, you can decide on a new style, color, or material to give them a new look without replacing them. This is something to keep in mind if you are buying frameless kitchen cabinets online.
However, if you intend to retain your cabinet boxes, you may need to replace the drawer surfaces, doors, and side panels to get an overall match. You may also want to consider switching out the hardware as well. Doing so can give your handles, moldings, and hinges a new style and feel.
Fortunately, in most cases, these upgrades will not cost too much but will still make a huge difference in the overall tone and feel of the space. If you are a do-it-yourself person, you can find these items at your local home improvement store that carries refacing materials. Nonetheless, we would advise that you employ professionals so that the project comes out exactly the way you want–they can also help you more easily color-match gray kitchen cabinets or turn them into timeless white kitchen cabinets.
Updating Laminate Kitchen Cabinets
Before you can update your laminate kitchen cabinets, it's best to understand more about the material. Laminate is a super-hard, highly processed plastic that can stick to existing cabinet boxes with the use of adhesives. It tends to cost a bit more than some other materials used for the same purpose but is more convenient and easier to use.
Because laminate is such a hard material, it is very durable. It does not mold easily, and you can use it to spruce up just about any dull-looking cabinet box in your kitchen.
Many older homes already have laminate kitchen cabinets that could inarguably use an update. They require some touch-ups to make them modern and more appealing to today’s generation of homeowners–you can do this by painting the laminate cabinets, switching out the doors, or opting to replace all the pieces. Your choice will largely depend on your budget or how much you are willing to spend.
Updating Laminate Cabinets by Replacing Them
Replacing your laminate kitchen cabinets is the most expensive option. Custom cabinetry generally accounts for nearly three-quarters of the price tag of a new kitchen. On the other hand, stock cabinets tend to be a more affordable choice for replacing cabinets.
Refacing or Updating Laminate Cabinets With a Couple of Additions
When refacing or updating, adding a couple of glass doors can make your existing laminate cabinets more appealing. However, we do not advise that you do this yourself–it’s better to hire a professional company with a team of tradespeople with the experience and correct skillset to update your laminate kitchen cabinets based on your vision. In most cases, the cost of the project will depend on the price of materials, style, and construction requirements.
Updating Your Laminate Kitchen Cabinets by Painting Them
The most affordable option to update your laminate kitchen cabinets is to paint them. Even though it may not be the best alternative for everybody, you can still have it done depending on your situation. For instance, if you want a temporary solution to your outdated laminate kitchen cabinets, you can have them painted; once you are ready to invest in some new cabinetry, you can opt for a better look.
In Summary
Throughout the years, laminate kitchen cabinets have been known for their prominent colors and slick surfaces that are typically the main cause for a kitchen to appear outdated today. For some homeowners, replacing them with a more modern cabinet style is not always possible. Fortunately, that does not mean you have to live with unappealing cabinetry. You can update your laminate kitchen cabinets in some of the ways mentioned above to give them a new look.
That said, hiring a professional company to update your laminate cabinets is typically the best thing to do if you want a modern-looking kitchen. Not that you can’t do it yourself, but the results will usually end up much better when you have experienced professionals working on your kitchen cabinets.
