If you are looking for an inexpensive way to save on a kitchen remodeling project, but have little or no experience in flooring, plumbing, electrical and especially carpentry, you could be in for a frustrating experience. Although you can get some books and take a few classes at your local home and building supply store, you may not have the patience for all of it. Perhaps you could consider hiring help for the difficult parts and do the finishing work yourself, or maybe a good idea would be to take things on one at a time.
If all you’re looking for is a simple face lift you have a few quick options: updating your cabinets by refacing them, painting them or adding new door hardware like knobs and hinges that match the style of decor you’re going for can all be done fairly easily and inexpensively. Adding new counter tops and flooring will also help, but neither qualifies as a cheap or quick solution. If refacing doesn’t cut it for you and you would like to try your hand at some painting, consider buying unfinished kitchen cabinets instead of ordering the finished product. Choose your facing and type of wood, but do the painting or staining yourself. It may or may not cost a little less, however, you will get the exact stain or paint style and color you wish.
Since most finished cabinetry comes in only certain styles and colors, it can be difficult to get the exact look you want without spending a fortune. Say you want alder cabinetry but would prefer a color or stain that makes more of a statement. Or perhaps you’d love to have cherry cabinetry, but can only afford a less expensive type of wood. Unfinished kitchen cabinets can help in this area because with the right techniques, you can make your kitchen look like you have expensive cherry and only an expert in that area will notice that it isn’t.
Another reason to purchase unfinished kitchen cabinets has to do with installation. If something gets nicked or scratched during install, no big deal. Since the cabinets don’t have their finish applied yet you can easily repair the trouble spot before you finish them yourself and reduce the stress of possibly having to wait for the reorder and replacement of an already finished product.
Any way you look at it, redoing your kitchen will not be the easiest thing you’ll ever do, but it can be fun if you plan it correctly, take your time and choose a material and finish that you know you’ll enjoy for quite some time. Also remember to consider doing at least part of the work yourself, you will delight in the memories of the process as you sip your morning coffee in your beautiful new kitchen that you did yourself.
