Transform Your Kitchen With This Simple Step… Without the Hassle of a Renovation

Home, sweet home. That age-old idiom reminds us how important it is to have a place to call our own. But any homeowner will tell you homeownership is not a walk in the park. There’s a running list of maintenance projects and checkups a home requires. It’s possible to devote all of your free time to landscaping, appliance maintenance and general home upkeep. Thank goodness you can hire companies to help you tackle these tasks. Over the years, I’ve found personalizing and maintaining my home to my preference makes all the difference. I love decorating for the seasons and remodeling rooms to fit my taste. There’s no better feeling than having a home that feels like…well… you.

Connecticut homeowners are savvy and know that any home improvement project also has the added benefit of a return on investment (ROI) when it comes time to sell the home. It’s no secret potential buyers love seeing updates when perusing a possible new space. But, if you’re like me, you like to be smart about how and where you invest your money in your home. That’s exactly why I’m a big fan of kitchen upgrades.

Kitchen remodels rank highest on home improvement projects with the highest ROI. Remodeling Magazine states minor kitchen remodels have an ROI of 69.3% in the New England area. Of course, the return you’ll see for any home investment depends mostly on two factors: your current home value and your location. Take note of your neighborhood and comparable homes. If nearby homes offer luxury finishes, appliances and luxury updates the return on investment for adding the same features to your home will be high. Conversely, if nearby homes offer standard finishes and you opt for a more luxurious update, it’s possible you won’t see the return on investment you were hoping for.

But a full kitchen renovation is not always necessary to create a big impact – especially if your kitchen still has good bones. Plus anyone who has lived through a gut kitchen remodeling project will tell you they’re no fun. Instead, there are simpler ways to achieve the updates you desire. A great way to transform a kitchen without all the fuss is resurfacing your kitchen cabinets. Bonus points for it also being an eco-friendly option since you’re using the materials you already have versus tossing them out into the landfill.

The Ultimate Kitchen Cabinet Update: Resurfacing Your Cabinets 101

Resurfacing, sometimes called refacing, is an excellent alternative to gutting kitchen cabinets. Refacing is the process of wrapping your existing cabinet doors and frames in a new thin exterior for a completely new feel. If your cabinets are still in good condition this simple facelift can transform the look of your space without the mess and cost of a complete haul.

There are three options for resurfacing your kitchen cabinets:

Laminate
Rigid Thermofoils (RTFs)
Wood Veneers

Laminate Kitchen Cabinets

Laminate provides an easy way to update your kitchen cabinets. This material is long-lasting and is offered in a variety of styles. You can purchase them in sheets with self-stick adhesive – perfect for homeowners who like a DIY project. It does work best on boxy, simple cabinet designs so if your cabinets have a unique shape this might not be the best option.

Rigid Thermofoils Kitchen Cabinets

Rigid Thermofoils are comprised of durable vinyl and are more moldable than laminate – a great alternative if your cabinets have recessed panels or embossed designs. RTFs also offer minimal upkeep. They are scratch-resistant, fade-resistant, won’t chip and clean easily with a soap and water solution. Though they are sensitive to heat so it’s a good idea to keep the heat from your oven contained as much as possible.

Pro Tip: Make sure you choose a high-density fiberboard option of higher quality than the medium-density options that are widely available.

Wood Veneer Kitchen Cabinets

Wood veneers are offered in various stains and materials — so you can quickly update old yellow oak cabinets from the 70s to sleek and modern cherry or maple. You can also choose to finish off your wood veneers with a custom stain. Wood veneers allow you to have 100% wood cabinets but with the flexibility of choosing your own style.

How Often Should Kitchen Cabinets Be Replaced?

The lifespan of your kitchen cabinets depends on the materials used. High-quality cabinets can last up to 50 years if maintained and cared for properly. If your cabinets have no structural damage but you’d like to update the look, resurfacing your cabinets transforms the entire space in as little as 2-3 days. Expect to get 20- 30 years of use out of your resurfaced cabinets, depending on the materials used.

Is It Cheaper To Replace or Repaint Kitchen Cabinets?

Repainting your kitchen cabinets is a cheaper way to update the color of your cabinets without replacing or refacing them. But painting doesn’t allow you to change the style of your cabinets. Resurfacing gives you the control to select the finish of your cabinets and ultimately the entire design of your kitchen.

When resurfacing kitchen cabinets, most homeowners also update the kitchen cabinet hardware to create even more of an impact. Swapping out old hardware for a more modern feel is an easy change that most homeowners can even do themselves. Because DIY projects can be oh-so-satisfying.

If you’ve been thinking about updating the look of your kitchen and don’t know where to start, reach out! I can put you in contact with some of the best contractors around. They’ll be able to guide you to make the best possible decision for your home’s value.

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