Ugly Kitchen Cabinets? You've Got Options
By Natalie MorrisRefacingCabinet.com Columnist
You know that your kitchen cabinets are ugly. You order take out for nearly every meal. You're embarrassed to invite anyone over for dinner. You avoid going through the kitchen at all costs.
Ugly cabinets can happen to anyone, anywhere. Whether you move into an existing home knowing that an ugly kitchen is part of the deal or wake up one day and realize that you've been living with hideous cabinets for years, you're not alone.
Outside of simply continuing to live with them, what can you do with ugly cabinets? Depending on your budget and design aesthetic, you've got three main options.
1. Paint Your Ugly Kitchen Cabinets
The cheapest and simplest way to beautify your cabinets is to paint or stain them. You can choose from a wide variety of colors and should be able to complete the project on your own without any professional help.
The key to successfully painting kitchen cabinets lies in preparation. Skipping preliminary steps like sanding and priming may help you feel like you're saving time, but you just end up with unevenly stained wood or paint that doesn't adhere to any surface. Take the time along the way so that you don't create cabinets that still look ugly--just in a new way.
2. Reface Your Ugly Kitchen Cabinets
If you want a more dramatic change and have a bit more money to spend, consider refacing kitchen cabinets. Within a matter of days, your faded oak finish can be replaced with a rich, deep mahogany or a warm, reddish cherry.
Refacing kitchen cabinets can be a DIY project, but most homeowners want to leave it to the professionals. The process includes removing the cabinet doors and either refinishing them or replacing them, and then applying a matching veneer to the cabinet boxes. The overall cost varies based on selected finish and size of the kitchen, but can start at only $1,000.
3. RemoveYour Ugly Kitchen Cabinets
Despite these great options, sometimes you are better off getting rid of your kitchen cabinets completely and just starting from scratch. If your cabinets are made from metal you may have trouble painting or refacing them. If your cabinets have structural issues or the layout of your kitchen is not functional, you probably shouldn't bother trying to spruce them up even if you can. If you've got the resources to completely remove those ugly cabinets from the face of the earth, why not?
You need to do a significant amount of research and planning before making the final decision to remove your current setup and install completely new kitchen cabinets.
Search for kitchen design planning tools online and you can find plenty of resources for getting started. Another option is to visit a home improvement warehouse like Lowe's or a specialty kitchen design store for professional help getting started.
However you beautify those ugly kitchen cabinets, get started soon. Imagine the joy of smiling instead of cringing as you walk into the kitchen. The outcome can be well worth your efforts!
About The Author
Natalie Morris is a freelance writer who loves to learn and ask questions. Her favorite home improvement activities include gardening, organizing, and painting large expanses of wall while her husband does the trim work. Natalie holds a bachelor's degr
