 RECLAIM YOUR KITCHEN
Non-drastic options to consider for a kitchen make-over
by Mary Ann Cole
photography by Vernon Wentz
Of the 1001 decisions that must be made when remodeling a kitchen, almost all fall into one of six components: layout, appliances, floors, countertops, lighting and cabinets. Since about 60
percent of the cost of an average kitchen is in the cabinets, the decisions that are made here can make or break a budget — but they can also make or break the kitchen, not only in terms of how the kitchen looks, but how it functions.
Since cabinets are such a major piece of the budget for remodeling a kitchen, many homeowners consider their options before deciding to tear them all out and start over. Sometimes, of course, other decisions you make give you no choice: Chipping out a tile countertop may damage lower cabinets beyond saving, decisions about new appliances may require cutting into old cabinets to make room, your storage needs may not be met by the old cabinet layout, or the original cabinets may be of such low quality that they’re not worth saving. But absent any of these deal-breakers, there are less drastic options to consider that can make your old cabinets fit right into your new kitchen.
Cleaning
Dingy but good-quality cabinets can be given new life with a good cleaning. Kitchen cabinets collect a lot of grease from cooking, sticky hands and food spills. The important thing is to clean the grease without damaging the finish, so choose your products and tools carefully and test them in an inconspicuous spot first.
New hardware
New hardware can go a long way to updating kitchen cabinets. It comes in a vast range of prices, styles and materials, so it should be easy to find something that fits your new kitchen look. Brushed metal, like pewter, nickel and brass are great for traditional styles, but even older cabinets can be made more contemporary with more modern hardware styles in polished chrome or enamel, Euro-design aluminum or even granite and stainless-steel combinations. If your kitchen or home has a theme, there are ceramic styles that feature just about everything, from cats to cabbages.
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