Give Your Kitchen a Face Lift

by Dawn West
Face Your Kitchen Columnist

As one of the major surfaces in your kitchen, your kitchen cabinets play a critical part in creating the feel of the room. If they're dark wood, the room will feel darker. If they're scuffed and old, the room will feel older. Since your cabinets have such a dramatic effect, when it comes to updating your kitchen, they're a natural place to start. Completely replacing them can be expensive. But kitchen cabinet refacing, where only the outside surface of your cabinets are replaced, is significantly more affordable and just as dramatically alters their appearance. If you're interested in updating your kitchen and considering cabinet refacing, here are a few of the important questions you should be asking.

How Long Do You Want To Wait?

Since kitchen cabinet refacing is more affordable than total cabinet replacement, you won't have to put off updating your kitchen while you save the money for it. What's more, cabinet refacing is a much simpler process. The entire project can be completed in an afternoon. Building and replacing cabinets can take significantly longer.

Are You Satisfied with Your Storage?

Kitchen cabinet refacing changes the look of your cabinets, but it doesn't change their fundamental design. If you have enough storage space, you can save a bundle by skipping out on cabinet replacement. But if you're struggling to find space for your stuff -- ladles and food processors spilling out everywhere -- it may be smarter to consider a cabinet redesign that takes care of the storage problem and improves the looks, all at once.

Cabinet refacing is an affordable option that can transform your kitchen in the space of a few hours. If you're ready for a big change without a big hit to your wallet, it's well worth considering.

About the Author
Dawn West teaches writing at Oregon State University. Her previous experience includes working for the Community Development Venture Capital Alliance, a not-for-profit in New York City, and serving as the director for an educational program for at-risk youth in Boston. Dawn holds a B.A. in English from Harvard University.