Old Kitchen Cabinets

Kitchen remodeling and your cabinets:  to reface, refinish, or replace?  To find the answer, consideration needs to be given to other factors than just your wallet.

What are the goals of your kitchen remodeling project?  Are you looking to sell your house, update your house, or make your house more functional? 

Refinishing:  How old, ugly, and worn out are your cabinets?  Older cabinets in an older home may add just the character your house needs, which means your kitchen remodeling project shouldn’t change your cabinets too much.  You could get by with replacing the hardware and having the cabinets refinished.  You may also opt for refinishing cabinets if you don’t absolutely hate what you have, you don’t have the cash to do more, and you’re not going to sell your house in the near future.  Remember, most of the flaws and damage will still be visible after refinishing your cabinets.  These are all things to consider as you decide how much kitchen remodeling you want to pursue.

Refacing:  Cabinets that are in good condition, in the layout that you want, but just not the wood or look that you like, may be able to be refaced.  Refaced cabinets can update a kitchen without the expense or hassle of completely replacing your cabinets as part of a larger kitchen remodeling project.  New hinges and other hardware can also add new life to older cabinets.  Refacing is an excellent choice if you’re planning to sell your house in the next few years since you are more likely to recoup your investment.

Replacing:  The most radical solution to outdated kitchen cabinets, is to replace them all.  This kitchen remodeling decision is an expensive one and can lead to additional expenses if you also decide to replace the countertop, sink, and other built-ins.  The advantages of completely replacing cabinets include being able to move things around and remodel the space as well as update the cabinets.  You also will have the choice of many new conveniences such as built-in spice racks.  This project is expensive and in many markets will not get a large enough return on investment if you sell your house in the next few years.

The next three blog entries will explore your kitchen remodeling options further:  refinishing, refacing, or replacing kitchen cabinets.

(Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lesliepepple/430651819/)

When selling your house, you want to make sure that it appeals to buyers. The number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and floor plan isn’t enough to sell your home. It must have a shock value to it when a potential buyer walks in, and when I say, shock, I mean it in a good way.

The last thing you want people to think when they enter your home is how much of a mess it is. If the first thought a buyer has when entering your home is a negative one, it will dramatically decrease the chances someone will want to buy it. Instead, you want someone to walk in and think, “Wow, I would love to live in a home like this…”

How do you achieve that reaction? One of the best ways is to make your home into a model home. Have you ever seen a model home in a new neighborhood? Everything looks so perfect. It’s decorated just right and it just seems so inviting.

Don’t think you can make your home into a model home? Here are some tips on how to achieve it no matter what your house looks like right now.

• Unclutter

Take everything that you don’t use regularly and box it up. You’ll be moving anyway so this will give you a head start. Don’t leave boxes all over your house, though, instead rent a storage unit to put them in.

• Clean

The dog nose prints and the sticky jelly countertops may not bother you, but they will pop out to potential buyers. Take time to clean your house top to bottom. You’d be amazed at what people will notice.

• Pick up before showing

Before a showing, vacuum all carpets so they look like you just vacuumed. It’s also important to make your beds, pull shower curtains across and pick up things haphazardly thrown throughout the house. The idea here is to make it as perfect as a model home but at the same time, livable.

(Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeremylevinedesign/3197502527/)