Quickly Refacing Cabinet Doors

by Jane Smallman
Face Your Kitchen Columnist

Even if your kitchen layout is just what you want and the cabinets are in good condition, you can still give your kitchen a fantastic facelift by refacing the cabinet doors. If your doors are laminate, you can make your cabinets look brand new by following these simple ideas. Refacing laminate kitchen cabinet doors need not be a difficult job and the results can transform your kitchen from a room that looks tired and worn-out to one that is bursting with style and color.



Here are two ideas for refacing your laminate kitchen cabinet doors that should be relatively easy to carry out and will not cost a fortune.

Refacing Laminate Kitchen Cabinet Doors with a New Paint Job

Preparation:

• Remove all kitchen cabinet doors.
• Clean all surfaces and dry thoroughly.
• Fill dents and scratches where possible to give a good, smooth, surface.

Priming:

• For refacing laminate cabinets you need to use a special primer formulated for shiny surfaces. Check the label very carefully to make sure that you have bought the right type. This primer does not need sanding afterwards.

Painting:

• Use either oil-base or latex paint.
• Choose a heavy-duty gloss or semi-gloss enamel.
• Apply at least two coats.

Refacing Laminate Kitchen Cabinet Doors by Adding Molding

You can make plain kitchen cabinet doors look more attractive by adding a decorative molding.

Preparation:

• Remove all kitchen cabinet doors, drawers and handles.
• Clean all surfaces and dry thoroughly.
• Fill dents and scratches where possible to give a good, smooth, surface.

Priming, painting, and fixing:

• Prime and paint your cabinets, drawers, etc. and each piece of molding.
• Cut molding to size and attach to doors.
• Fill any gaps.
• Finish off with one or two coats of paint.

Refacing your laminate kitchen cabinet doors using these methods can give you a new look without too much expense.

Sources:

• http://www.bhg.com
• http://www.thisoldhouse.com

About the Author
Jane Smallman runs a mountain guiding business with her husband. Her early training was in hotel management and she has worked in the hotel industry in France, Holland, the US and the UK. Following this she worked in an administrative capacity for a number of not-for-profit organizations in the UK, including the International Planned Parenthood Federation and the Refugee Legal Centre. While doing this she earned a degree in Social Sciences through distance learning with the Open University. After graduation she progressed to the University of Sussex as a full-time student where she was awarded a Masters Degree in Social and Political Thought.