You have dreamed of a modern kitchen with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops for years. But you are stuck with one that looks like it could have been on The Brady Bunch. So you play the lottery, hoping to strike it rich one day so you can get that kitchen of your dreams.
Stop right there: There is an excellent way to revitalize your kitchen. And winning the lottery is not a prerequisite.
Danny Walker, owner of the Grass Valley, California branch of Furniture Medic, says that instead of splurging on demolishing and replacing your existing fixtures, you can pay a fraction of the cost to have your cabinets refaced. Here he explains the process, and the advantages to choosing this option.
Spend on what you see: When refacing your cabinets, Walker recommends only spending money on surfaces you can actually see. For instance, when it comes to drawers, only replace the face. As far as the inside of the drawer, a simple resurfacing or painting will do the trick, since unless it is open, no one will see the inside. The same goes for your cabinets. Instead of taking down the entire cabinet, just purchase new doors and handles and let the furniture medics take care of the rest.
Change the look: Even if you aren’t replacing everything in the kitchen and swapping it out for brand new fixtures, that doesn’t mean you have to stick with the same old look. And you won’t have to go through the painstaking process of stripping and refinishing everything, explains Walker. It’s amazing what new paint, tiles, plywood and natural wood can add to your room to make it something completely original and look brand new.
Save time: The typical kitchen remodel will take upwards of two weeks, Walker explains. And that means you’ll be unable to use your sink, stove or table during that time, not to mention dealing with the dangers of having all the tools around if young children are present in the home. Refacing, however, will give your kitchen a face lift in just three to five days.
Be cost-effective: When you are trying to save for your future, it may be hard o justify expenses that aren’t necessarily crucial, like a remodel. But refacing your cabinets will cost 50% to 70% less than a remodel. So, you can get the kitchen you’ve been wanting minus the guilt.
And then, of course, there is the added bonus of hearing your friends gush about your new kitchen and whisper about how much you must have spent on the redo, while you smile in satisfaction about your own little money-saving secrets.
