Remodel Your Kitchen On A Budget: 4 Best Cabinet Makeovers

Repainting is the simplest most effective way to transform your kitchen. But, choosing the best paint that is most durable for your kitchen cabinet is very important. Before choosing your perfect paint, make sure to check the type of material your cabinet is made of. Repainting over wood and compressed wood is preferred over laminate. Sanding and painting on laminate is not ideal and doesn’t have the best long-lasting results. The best paints for kitchen cabinets include:

• Semi-gloss
• Gloss
• ​Satin​

These are the most durable paint options for the kitchen because they can be easily cleaned. Try to stay away from matte paint, it is not as practical or durable as the other options. Also, there are typically two different types of paint for cabinets: latex or oil. Latex, or acrylic paint, is a water-based paint that is water resistant. Acrylic paint is easy to clean and perfect for the typical kitchen messes. Alkyd paint is oil based which is great for being stain-resistant in high-moisture rooms like the kitchen. Whatever color you choose— white, grey, black, etc be sure to seek a professional’s help. Refer to your local kitchen consultants to help you decide on the best choice for your kitchen cabinets.

Redo Your Cabinets with Stain

Another great option is to restain your kitchen cabinets to give them a fresh new look. The best part about staining your cabinets is that it is cost-effective. Staining is removing the old finish of your cabinets and painting on the new finish. This process does take a while so be prepared to set some time aside for this DIY project. Before taking the cabinets off the walls, you want to have a new stain color in mind. Your cabinet color should compliment other wooden features in your home. It’s also very important to note whether your kitchen cabinets have been stained in the past or not. If so, you will have to re-stain darker to hide any imperfections after stripping the cabinet of its prior finish. If you’re going for a more modern or contemporary look try white, grey, or black stain. 

Preparation is key. Best steps for the staining process are:

Make sure you start off by removing your cabinets and their hardware. 

Label them with their proper locations so there are no mistakes.

After this, clean your old kitchen cabinets with hot water and distilled vinegar to get rid of any grease. This is important because the new stain won’t adhere if the outside of the cabinet is greasy. 

​​Following cleaning, fill any dips or holes in your cabinet with wood filler for a smooth surface. 

Then, go ahead and sand your cabinets to make the surface easier for the new stain to adhere to. 

Apply the new stain color.

When applying the stain of your choice, be sure to avoid oversaturating. Remember: less is more. You can always go back and add a second coat for a more intense color. Finally, don’t forget to add the polyurethane finish to protect your stain job. Polyurethane is a glossy finish that protects your cabinets from scratches or stains.

Update Cabinet Doors with Glass Inserts

Glass inserts are a fantastic way to modernize your cabinets. Some types of glass that looks great for the kitchen include:

Clear glass (great for transparency and visibility of organization)

Stained glass

​Frosted glass (great for modern kitchens with opaque features that aren’t see through)

Textured glass​

Consider installing interior cabinet lighting to highlight your beautiful dishes. Want a bit more rustic look for the kitchen? Try different material options like wire, or fabric. Either option can be easily installed with just a staple gun.

Reface your Cabinets ​

If repainting, staining, or replacing aren’t what you’re looking for then consider refacing. Refacing your cabinets is another great option. Instead of replacing the entire wooden cabinet itself, simply reface the surface. Refacing is covering the cabinet doors and drawer fronts and applying a new veneer over the existing surface. It’s very important to note the type of cabinet you have. The structure and sturdiness of your cabinet will impact how long the wooden veneer lasts. A great candidate for veneer refacing is existing cabinets that are made of plywood. Another, is face frames of solid hardwood, and smoothly operating drawers and shelves.

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The best part about refacing is the low cost. Expenses are half the amount of brand new cabinet installation, which makes this option so budget-friendly. Usually, when having refacing done by a professional, the average cost is anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000 for a typical 10 by 12 foot kitchen. Upgrading features or having more complex kitchen layouts will raise the price. All in all, refacing is a fantastic option to make your kitchen look brand new for half the cost. 

Some Final Suggestions

Remember, remodeling your kitchen is a process. Proper preparation is a must. Be sure you know the type of kitchen cabinet you have because wood has different results than laminate. If you choose to stain your cabinets, make sure you choose the right stain for your kitchen. If your cabinets have already been stained, you’ll want to go with a darker stain. 

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Consider refacing the cabinet to give it a more custom made look. When refacing, it’s always a good idea to seek advice from a professional when deciding on the type of veneer that would best fit your budget and ideal look. Refacing is a more cost-friendly alternative to replacing the cabinet but has limited flexibility. When going all in and replacing the cabinet insert, you are able to bring your exact vision to life. If you want to replace the traditional wooden cabinet for a more modern material like clear, frosted, or stained glass, your options are limitless. Be prepared to spend a little extra for the replacement process but the results are well worth it. However you decide to remodel your kitchen cabinets, it’s always a good idea to refer to a kitchen remodeling service near you to get the best ideas and services. Also, feel free to visit our Facebook page as well to get some inspiration!