9 1/2 Great Ideas for Updating or Installing Kitchen Cabinets
Kitchen cabinets are quite versatile when it comes to what you can use them for. They can also enhance your kitchen décor with the right colors, designs, and accents.
But after a while, you may decide that your kitchen cabinets need some sprucing up. After all, you're in your kitchen every day, and there are only so many times that you want to look at the same drab cabinets that clash with the whole kitchen décor.
You also may opt to install new kitchen cabinets to start fresh after purchasing a new home or even to change the entire motif of your kitchen.
We will showcase some practical ideas to enhance the appearance of your kitchen cabinets. These suggestions are easy to implement and will transform your cabinets into an aesthetically pleasing element in your cooking space.
3Rs Construction & Remodeling is here to make upgrading your kitchen cabinets easy! We are your team of experts for general contracting services in Salem, OR.
1) Replacing Cabinet Doors
As part of your kitchen update project, consider replacing the cabinet doors. This is a significant investment in terms of time and money, but you may find that the payoff is worth it. It could provide your kitchen with a major facelift.
If you are satisfied with your kitchen's overall layout and design but have outmoded or damaged doors, refacing your cabinets may be a good idea.
2) Replacing Cabinet Handles
You might consider installing kitchen cabinet handles as part of your kitchen renovation. Be sure that you are swapping out like for like when it comes to the holes required if you'd rather not drill new holes and have to patch the old ones.
Refreshing your kitchen cabinets with new hardware – like new handles – is an ideal way to update your kitchen without having to do a full-scale renovation. When you replace the handles of your kitchen cabinets – or any frequently touched items, it will improve the aesthetics of your kitchen and give you a sleek finish.
3) Install Under-Cabinet Lighting
Here is a great way to update your kitchen cabinets without having to change their integrity. You can instantly create task lighting for the countertops located under your cabinetry.
Under-cabinet lighting is a great way to subtly brighten up the kitchen and bring about focused light. It can also improve the overall appearance of your kitchen.
It is best to use smart LED strip lighting or color-changing smart bulbs. This allows you to set the preferred brightness and color of the light based on your activities in the kitchen.
You will enjoy a wide variety of options when it comes to the lighting under your kitchen cabinetry. For example, you'll be able to choose from many different colors and shades of light that you can use to create a particular mood in the kitchen.
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4) Adding Moldings to or Refacing Flat-Fronted Cabinets
Adding moldings, details, or trim is a great idea for flat-fronted cabinets. This can transform the entire look and feel of your kitchen.
You have the choice with a cabinet refacing to utilize natural wood veneer or RTF (Rigid Thermofoil), which is a melamine-based product. Whichever material you choose for the strips, wood or MDF (Medium-density fiberboard), you will want to make sure that they are cut neatly, as well as applied consistently, and attached firmly with adhesive and pins.
5) Adding Glass Inserts to Cabinet Doors
This is an alternative to taking out your upper cabinet doors. Adding glass inserts will enable you to display your favorite dishes while keeping them free of dust.
This update to your kitchen cabinet involves modifying your existing doors and replacing the inner panel with glass.
Tap into your creative side by using leaded, reeded, or tinted glass.
This update gives you the opportunity to inject your own personal style into the kitchen and experiment with different types of glass.
6) Extending Upper Cabinets to the Ceiling
If you have quite a bit of space above your kitchen cabinets, then a perfect update is to extend the upper cabinets to the ceiling. By filling this gap, you will instantly make your kitchen appear taller and more finished.
You could begin by framing out the empty space and attaching filler pieces, crown molding, and painting to match your existing cabinets.
Another idea is to raise the cabinet boxes for usable storage while adding an open shelf below.
7) Adding Toe-Kick Drawers
An easy update to your base kitchen cabinet is putting in toe-kick drawers. This will create additional storage space for flat items like serving plates, cutting boards, batteries, flashlights, etc.
8) Adding a Peg Organizer
Peg organizers are an ideal way to add some functional storage to the lower cabinet drawers. This gives you a convenient organizational system, and it looks more appealing than plastic and coated metal organizational systems.
9) Painting Cabinets
You'll find that a fresh coat of paint can do wonders for enlivening your kitchen cabinetry. It is also a cost-effective way to enhance the aesthetics of your kitchen. Typically, the majority of kitchen cabinets can be re-painted with a high-quality primer and specialty paint.
9.5) Paint Just a Portion of the Kitchen Cabinets
If you'd rather not commit to a total color makeover, you might try painting only the upper, lower, or island cabinets. Bringing in a second color will inject a strong visual interest while also preventing the space from feeling one-dimensional.
Strive for a more custom feel by using several shades of lighter or darker paint than your current kitchen cabinets.
4 Ideas for Kitchen Cabinet Installations
1) Modern Kitchen Cabinets
Modern kitchen cabinets will significantly upgrade the look of your kitchen and your entire home. Your cabinets might be composed of materials such as glass, laminates, and metal like aluminum.
2) Classic Kitchen Cabinets
Classic cabinets, also known as traditional cabinets, are almost always trendy. This type of kitchen cabinet lends itself to a casual and comfortable appearance. Typically, you will find them in natural wood tones, such as oak, that are neutral in texture and color.
3) Minimalist Kitchen Cabinets
Minimalist kitchen cabinets highlight functionality in a small space. It will feature handle-free styles with recessed doors and drawers. They offer your kitchen a simplified and sleek appearance.
4) Open Concept Kitchen Cabinets
An open-concept kitchen design offers you a lot of creativity.
Benefits of Open Concept Kitchen Cabinets include:
- Opens up your home and creates better traffic flow.
- Gives your kitchen more versatility and functionality for both everyday activities and entertaining.
- Transforms a dim kitchen into a bright, airy room.
- You'll be able to cook and socialize with family or guests at the same time.
Now let's look at the expense involved with these cabinet installations.
Cost of Installing Kitchen Cabinets
The price of new kitchen cabinetry is largely impacted by the price of purchasing and installing the cabinets. The total cost depends mostly on the type of cabinetry you choose. It's a good idea to set a budget for your kitchen remodel.
Pros and Cons of Cabinet Refacing and Cabinet Replacement
Let's begin with cabinet refacing.
PROS of Cabinet Refacing
- Less expensive than cabinet replacement.
- Materials from old cabinets aren't being sent to landfills, making refacing more environmentally friendly.
- Less mess and disruption.
CONS of Cabinet Refacing
- Boxes must be in perfect shape for the best results in refacing cabinets.
- All boxes remain the same size and in the same locations.
- Insides are not refaced.
Here are the pros and cons of cabinet replacement.
PROS of Cabinet Replacement
- Cabinet replacement gives you the ability to redesign your kitchen from the ground up.
- You're able to customize your design and upgrade finishes, which allows you to improve your home's resale value.
- Let's you add more space if needed.
CONS of Cabinet Replacement
- More expensive than refacing.
- Can disrupt daily life.
- Could take a lot of time to complete.
Look to 3Rs Construction & Remodeling in Salem for Your Next Kitchen Remodel
If you intend to embark on a kitchen remodel in Salem in the next year, we invite you to allow 3Rs Construction & Remodeling to perform a beautiful, transformative kitchen renovation in your home.
We'll give you a realistic time frame for our work, and you'll let us know an appropriate time for us to perform it. Our detail-oriented contractors will work diligently to finish your kitchen on time.
Call us at (503) 363-1059, so we can get started on realizing your dream kitchen remodel in Salem today!
