Kitchen Cabinet Makeovers – Not Too Tough to Tackle

Think giving your kitchen a cabinetry makeover is a project best left to the professionals? Well, think again. The folks over at MLive.com recently begged to differ in an article titled “Kitchen cabinets are a project beginners can tackle.” Although the prospect may seem daunting, “updating cabinets is a do-it yourself (DIY) project that many people can master,” the article’s expert assures.

“The project doesn’t require a lot of tools, but it does require patience,” the article goes on to point out. Therefore, you might want to consider replacement of your kitchen cabinets as a tag-team effort. Don’t try to take on the job all by yourself. The cited expert warns, “You have to get the doors off the cabinets, and this might be a two-person job. Door and drawer replacement is the hardest task.”

Once you have removed the doors, you have two affordable options: 1) You can either refinish your existing cabinets, or 2) you can reface your existing cabinets with new door fronts. If you choose the former option, “the prep work is the most time-consuming.” Sanding and painting the door fronts is grunt work but it can be accomplished by a single person. Staining and/or glazing the wood are also finishing options. The article’s source “recommends going to a [kitchen cabinet] showroom to look at the different types of finishes and, of course, new door pulls to finish off the new look.”

But what if you decide to reface your kitchen cabinetry instead? Consultation with a manufacturer of kitchen cabinets, including a selection of wood door styles, should be the first step in your agenda. Many considerations will go into the choosing of a new door style. Wood species will be the first decision you’ll have to make. The beautiful, natural woods offered by the most recognized brands of cabinetry for the home include beautiful and natural woods as well as laminate styles. Once you’ve narrowed down the cabinet material, you’ll need to move on to the doors’ shape. This selection may prove more challenging than it sounds with square, arched, slab, raised panel, and recessed panel options to choose from.

Finally, you’ll need to decide whether you want to leave your cabinet doors natural or apply a finish, just as you would if you opted to refinish your existing door fronts. Leading kitchen cabinet manufacturers offer a wide array of standard and premium finishes and glazes to complement any design style. Your specific options will be dependent on the wood or laminate species you’ve chosen.

DuraKraft finish is one of the finest wood finishes available. A combination of clear resin chemistry and ultraviolet screen inhibitors, it provides a custom finish that extends the original color and clarity of your cabinetry’s material while standing up to everyday wear in the kitchen. In fact, a recognized finish testing laboratory tested the DuraKraft finish for resistance to common household chemicals and agents. The result? DuraKraft exceeds all specifications required by the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association. In addition to chemical testing, DuraKraft was also tested for resistance to extreme temperatures and was found to withstand temperatures below -5ÚF and above 120ÚF for shipment and use in all parts of the world.

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Recent Kitchen Cabinet Style Trends

Cabinets are among the most essential part of your kitchen that not only greatly affects the overall functionality of the area but the appeal as well. Being the most visually dominant, they get a good amount of attention from homeowners and get a large part of the remodeling budget. Any changes made to them could make the most dramatic statement. And like anything else, kitchen cabinets continue to evolve to meet the changing times and needs of the household. So if you are planning to enliven the heart of your New York home through new or improved kitchen cabinets, better be on the lookout for the most recent styles ideal whether you are in Long Island, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staten Island or Queens.

Richer Tones with Bold Colors to Match

The lighter hues of fruitwood and oak have been replaced by cabinetry finishes like Amaretto, Java, Chestnut and Bordeaux while the classic richness of cherry and maple remain famous to updated homeowners and designers. So if you love wood and want to be stylish, the timeless appeal of maple or cherry would work perfectly. The richer tones of these options offer a more luxurious and intimate touch to the cabinets and overall design of the kitchen. And unlike in the past, your countertops to match need not necessarily be neutral. Bold colors to complement the richer tones are also popular.

Antique

Though genuine antique kitchen cabinets would be great, the trend does not require them to be true. Brushing techniques can be used to achieve that popular antiqued look which is basically in a glazed or distressed finish mimicking that of well-loved furniture pieces. Glazing makes up for a great alternative to having naked wood doors since onlays are already out.

Sleek Modern and Sophisticated

Clean and contemporary lines are still in when it comes to kitchen cabinet style trends. Mission style is currently standing out with the geometric sleekness but still welcoming feel that it offers. Though the simplicity in façade, organizational features inside kitchen cabinets are getting more and more sophisticated. A number of drawer organizers, swivel or swing-out shelves, roll trays, pull-outs and other innovative features free both the kitchen and even the insides of cabinetry from clutter and eyesores. For easier access to items, the visibility of contents is improved through chrome rails.

Less but More?

Style trends in kitchen designs still dictate an airier look and feel. With this, cutting down on wall cabinets and opening up more space through maximized lighting is the way to go. But even with fewer cabinets, you can still ensure enough or more storage space through innovative organizational features mentioned above.

But like any other trends, not all would look great with it. It is important that you assess everything first before jumping into replacing and improving the look of the kitchen cabinets. Being the building blocks of the kitchen which is the strongest selling point of homes, do not be afraid to invest. Be fashionable and enjoy the added functionality that trendy kitchen cabinets offer.

Eugene Makeev uses his skills and expertise to help home owners in Brooklyn, Long Island, Queens, Manhattan, and Staten Island avoid pitfalls by matching their kitchen remodeling New York needs with prescreened contractors NYC.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eugene_R._Makeev

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