Kitchen remodels are well-known as expensive. However, there is no rulebook that states updating your old, dated kitchen requires spending tens of thousands of dollars for a brand-new space. Truth be told, you can create an entirely new kitchen with just a few minor tweaks here and there. New hardware, new appliances, new countertops, and even a coat of white paint on ugly cabinets can change the entire look of your space. Of course, your cabinets might not be in good enough condition to want to paint. That leaves you wondering one thing. Do you replace the old cabinets or simply reface them? There is no right or wrong answer, but there are numerous pros and cons. Take a look and make a decision that’s right for your kitchen, your budget, and your ultimate kitchen dreams.
Cabinet Refacing
Refacing means exactly what it sounds like. You remove the doors from the bones of the cabinets and replace them with new doors. The bones are covered with wood to help them look newer and more exciting, and then the entire kitchen is painted or stained the color you choose. It’s not a long process when you have professional help, and it’s not one you’re required to hire professionals to handle on your behalf. If you’re good with home remodeling projects, you can absolutely do this yourself.
There are a few things to consider, however. You can’t just reface any old cabinets. You have to have bones in good condition, and they must be high quality. Newer homes don’t always have high-quality boxes, and that means you can’t always reface them. If you live in a home that’s been around for a few decades, you can almost guarantee they can be refaced because the bones are excellent. The other consideration is layout.
If you have no desire to change the layout of your kitchen, refacing might be an option. If you’re happy with the layout but want to update the overall look, refacing is probably for you. Once you start moving things around in the kitchen, refacing no longer works and new cabinets must be designed for your specific layout. It’s also much more affordable to reface than it is to replace. The other significant benefit is refacing doesn’t require you lose use of your kitchen. You simply deal with missing doors and minor construction for a few days. You can still use your appliances and kitchen throughout this process, which is great for people who still live in their home during the kitchen remodeling process.
Replacing Cabinets
The big pro with replacing your cabinets is you get exactly what you want. You get the layout you want because you get to custom design your kitchen. The big con with replacing your cabinet is you pay to replace them. You also spend a lot more time without a kitchen when replacing than refacing. One has options here, too. You can choose custom-made cabinets to install, or you can choose from stock cabinetry already created and ready for delivery.
It’s the cost and time factor that make replacing your kitchen a much less enjoyable process. Your existing kitchen must be completely removed from your home. Your new kitchen has to be built, and then it has to be delivered. If you’re changing the layout of more than just the cabinets, you need time to relocate plumbing for the fridge and sink as well as time to relocate other appliances. The biggest benefit is there is no place in the replacement process in which you are sacrificing anything you want in your dream kitchen as long as time and funds aren’t a priority.
If you can live without a kitchen for weeks at a time, this might be the best option for you. It could be a month or longer without a kitchen, which is fine if you don’t live in your current home. Many homeowners are required to move in with family or even a short-term rental while they remodel their kitchen. It’s a long, messy process, and it means weeks without being able to cook at home. If you can get past this or you have another place to live in the meantime, this is a great option for creating the kitchen of your dreams.
Conclusion
Your kitchen is the one room in which everyone in your home spends the most time. It’s the room where memories are made, where people come together, where homework is done, and stories are told. It’s the heart of the home, the place where you spend the bulk of your time. It must be what you want. Don’t let the minor cons of replacements stop you from getting the kitchen of your dreams if that’s what you really want. On the same note, don’t think you can’t have a dream kitchen with cabinet refacing. You can have it all.
Whether it is Kitchen Remodeling, Bathroom Remodeling or to decorate an entire home, our designers can help guide you on your project. With their expertise in home design, they can lead you in the right direction. Cabinet Genies has been serving homeowners in the greater Southwest Florida area for over 40 years now. For overall assistance designing a kitchen or bathroom, give us a call at (239)458-8563.