How to Remodel Cabinets
- 1). Look over all parts of existing cabinets. Take out drawers and look back in shelves to see if hardware and shelving structure are secure. Figure out how much of the existing cabinetry is worth saving or renovating. Keep all of a row of base cabinets, for example, and replace the upper cabinets.
- 2). Remodel by replacing the doors only. Use this option for a more affordable makeover. Fill in cracks and gaps on bottom cabinets with wood filler and apply a new walnut stain, for example. Buy new doors to match that are pre-finished. Remove stain on upper cabinets and stain again with light maple. Buy brand new maple doors to add on upper wall cabinets.
- 3). Use wood veneer to doctor up cabinets. Install sheets of veneer over a sound cabinet base that is somewhat dented or old. Refinish all doors or add new ones. Glue veneer on the ends of base cabinets only, if needed, to cover large dents or cracks on the old surface. Paint the cabinetry white and paint all doors white. Install all new hardware.
- 4). Use paint to create two cabinet colors. Paint lower cabinets dark hunter green, for example, and paint upper cabinets a yellow-cream color. Add hunter green wooden knobs to upper cabinet doors to tie the two sections together. Use navy paint on bottom cabinets and cream on top, as another option.
- 5). Install new cabinets in two contrasting wood finishes. Use two or three upper cabinets in light oak alternated with two or three cabinets in dark brown mahogany. Use dark walnut stained cabinets on the bottom half of the room with lightly stained hickory cabinets on the top half of the room. Look at examples in a showroom or in the homes of friends before ordering them, however. Two different wood finishes must match artistically to work well.
