Add Style with Cabinet Refacing

by Allison Beatty
Face Your Kitchen Columnist

How Cabinet Refacing Works With cabinet refacing, you can save time and money by keeping your existing kitchen cabinets and having new "faces" built. These new doors, drawer fronts, and kitchen cabinet panels can be made from a variety of wood species or from laminate material. If you want a traditional look, try oak kitchen cabinet fronts with a high arcing style. If you want a contemporary look, consider a white laminate front with a flat surface.

Cabinet Refacing Wood Options

The type of wood you select will be key to creating the look you want. Among the options are:

• Oak ? gives a traditional look with lots of wood grain
• Maple ? a lighter wood than oak
• Cherry ? a darker wood with red tones adds a more formal look
• Pine ? gives a rustic look and looks good painted or natural

Pick a New Door Style

The style of the kitchen cabinet door also plays a part in the overall style. Among the options are:

• Flat panel ? a contemporary look
• Raised panel ? a traditional look
• Raised arc panel ? for added flair

Finish the Look with Kitchen Cabinet Hardware

Cabinet hardware is the finishing touch for many cabinet refacing projects. Among the popular styles of knobs and pulls are:

• Sleek round or rectangular shapes
• Painted porcelain designs

And, spice up your cabinet drawer fronts with one of these trendy hardware finishes:

• Satin nickel
• Aged brass
• Painted designs

Pretty soon, your kitchen will look like new.

About the Author
Allison E. Beatty is a syndicated real estate writer. She has been a writer of home improvement columns for 15 years. Her articles have appeared in numerous national newspapers and magazines, and on home improvement web sites.