Ready to freshen up your kitchen’s look? Then there’s no better place to start than your cabinetry! On average, cabinets take up 80% of the space, so revamping them is the perfect way to breathe new life into your kitchen. Now, you may be thinking that refacing – as opposed to replacing – is the way to go…and you would be right in some cases. But while this is certainly the simpler (and cheaper) option, there are times when a quick and easy fix just doesn’t cut it. To help you determine whether you should opt for a reface or start from scratch, check out our experts’ tell-tale signs for both options. Trust us: you’ll thank yourself for planning properly later!

Reasons for Refacing

While finding high-quality yet affordable kitchen cabinets to replace your old ones is definitely an option, it’s not always necessary to start over. Perhaps your cabinets are in good condition, but you’re just looking to change a thing or two. In the following cases, refacing is sure to do the trick:

• You think that it’s time for a new finish and/or color.

• You’re no longer a fan of the style, and feel that the doors should be refurbished.

• The lining has reached its expiration date and could do with a long-overdue replacement.

• In order to maximize space, you want convert cabinets with doors to pull-out drawers.

• In some cases, it’s also possible to make your cabinets slightly wider or taller via refacing, but it’s always best to consult your kitchen designer first.

Reasons for Replacing

It’s all too tempting to slap new hinges, knobs, and doors on your cabinetry and call it a job well done. However, this decision can come back to bite you, should you ignore the key indicators that a replacement is in order. If you’re facing any of the following issues, it’s time to consider investing in a new set of top-notch yet affordable kitchen cabinets:

• The structure is falling apart. While there are some cases in which a simple touch-up is sufficient, structures that have been subjected to mold, water damage, woodworms, or other severe damage may need to be replaced in their entirety. Let your kitchen designer make the final call, but be warned that structural damage is usually difficult to fix with mere resurfacing.

• You’re making changes to your kitchen’s fundamental layout. As a hard and fast rule, you’ll need new cabinetry if you’re making significant changes to the flow of the room, such as moving and/or eliminating walls and installing new appliances.

• The existing structures are poorly made. While we’re all for affordable kitchen cabinets, you should never settle for shabby. If your cabinets consist of subpar material, such as chipboard, it’s worth making a long-term investment in sturdier ones of a trustworthy quality.

• Your cabinets smell strange. This is a common problem in old, badly constructed kitchens, and one that’s nearly impossible to resolve with resurfacing. If opening your cabinets releases a whiff of moldy (or plain gross) air, it’s best not to take any chances – just bite the bullet and start over.

• Your cabinetry is made of metal. While this material is very durable, it doesn’t lend itself well to resurfacing. So, if you’d like to switch up the style, chances are that resurfacing may be more challenging than simply replacing. Sad, but true!

With these pointers in mind, you’re ready to launch your kitchen revamp on the right foot. But before setting your decision in stone, don’t forget to discuss your requirements with an experienced designer – after all, every space is unique. Whether a resurfacing or a set of new high-quality yet affordable kitchen cabinets awaits, we’re sure that glamming up your space will be worth the effort – and is certain to put a big smile on your face!