What You Should Know About Refinishing Kitchen Cabinets?

With the passage of time, every individual aspires to redesign or upgrade their temporary living space and other parameters that are closely associated with their lifestyle. Since the industrial revolution, enthusiasts and determined industrialists have produced quality materials in all aspects of building, designing, and construction. Be it a common studio apartment, or a decent-looking house, it always has room for improvement. When talking about improvement and upgrades, people think about complete renovation and design.

The concept of renovation and design isn’t just restricted to the overall functionality or appearance of a house or a living space. But, it also applies to wet areas such as the kitchen, washroom, cleaning corners, and porches. Over the past few decades, massive development in real estate businesses has been observed. Not only in the US but in Canada, UK, and Australia, the value of properties and finished properties, in specific, has skyrocketed. Talking about the overall development and remodeling of living spaces, the primary area which requires 

upgradation and yearly maintenance is your kitchen. The moment guests walk into your house or living quarters, the first thing they notice or get attracted to is your kitchen area. There are very few households which actively seek upgradation and maintain their overall house’s finishing. However, this is a very necessary action, considering the growing prices of finished living spaces.

Talking about the remodeling and upgradation of kitchen areas in specific, you must know that selecting the cabinet style and the overall landscape is very important when considering refinishing your kitchen cabinet style. There are several kitchen cabinet styles available in the market; however, it depends on your selection and preference. Continue reading to understand more about kitchen cabinet style and other aspects which are important during the refinishing phase.

Workability of Your Kitchen Cabinet Style 

The workability of your kitchen cabinet style depends on the overall design of the kitchen, the size of the cabinets, and the type of hardware and materials used. When investing in refinishing old kitchen cabinets, one should consider their functionality and the skeleton working. Look if the cabinets are too small or too deep; it can make it difficult to access certain items or even open the doors. If the hardware isn’t sturdy enough, it can make the doors difficult to open and close. Additionally, if the materials used are not of high quality, they may warp or become scratched easily.

There are multiple options when it comes to selecting a cabinet style. If you are refinishing your kitchen design, you can use Beaded, Shaker, Base, Wall mounted, Corner, Stock, and Isolated cabinet styles. Depending on your overall fit-out and area parameters, you can finalize a cabinet design.

Layout and Overall Landscape 

The best way to refinish the cabinets is by understanding the entire area and specifications. In order to get your idea in a visual form, you can use rendering software. In addition to the size and materials, the layout of the kitchen is also important. If the cabinets are positioned too close together, it can be difficult to move around in the kitchen. Cabinets that are too far apart can make it difficult to reach items when using the counter space or to access items stored in the cabinet. Proper spacing between the cabinets is important to ensure that the kitchen is functional and efficient.

At times many architects and interior designers propose a blend of cabinet styles in different areas of the kitchen. When talking about different areas of a kitchen, one would be thinking, isn’t a kitchen space considered a single space without any further bifurcations? Yes, certainly, kitchen space is divided into parts when an architect starts designing it from scratch. As a result, different cabinet styles are proposed in areas such as the washing area, countertop, cooking area, and of course, the serving area. If you have visited a live restaurant these days, their function is always divided with respect to different operations. If you are designing your kitchen in such a way, you can certainly use a blended cabinet style.

Pick the Ideal Wood Quality 

The quality of kitchen cabinets is an important factor in the overall design and functionality of a kitchen. It’s important to choose cabinets that are made from high-quality materials and constructed with attention to detail. Kitchen cabinets should be built with solid wood, plywood, or a combination of both. Plywood is a better choice for cabinet construction because it is stronger and more durable than solid wood. The best quality cabinets are constructed with solid wood frames and plywood boxes, with solid wood doors and drawer fronts.

Cabinets should also be built with solid wood dovetail joinery, which is considered the strongest and most durable type of joinery. Cabinet boxes should also be constructed using screwed or glued joints, as opposed to staples or nails. The door and drawer fronts should be made with solid wood, not particleboard or MDF. The finish of the cabinets should be of high quality, with a durable finish that is easy to clean and maintain. The finish should be applied in several layers and sealed with a clear top coat. This will help the cabinets to last longer and maintain their beauty over time. It’s also important to consider the hardware of the cabinets. Quality hardware should be made from metal, such as brass and stainless steel.

If you are redesigning your kitchen under an architect’s supervision, then it’s recommended to ask for joinery details and other specifications at the time of installation. Once you have procured the cabinets, you must initiate a joint visit with an architect.

How to Refinish Kitchen Cabinets Professionally?

Refinishing kitchen cabinets can give your kitchen a fresh, updated look. Refinishing is a cost-effective way to update your kitchen décor and make the cabinets look brand new. Refinishing kitchen cabinets requires a lot of time and effort, but the results can be worth it. Here is how to refinish kitchen cabinets professionally.

1. Prepare the Cabinets – Remove all hardware, doors, and drawers. Thoroughly clean the cabinets with a mixture of warm water and mild detergent. Use a damp cloth to wipe the surface clean and remove any dirt, grease, and grime.
2. Sand the Cabinets – Use sandpaper to sand away the old finish. Use medium-grit sandpaper to start and then switch to finer-grit sandpaper to smooth out the wood.
3. Apply Primer – Apply primer to the cabinets to provide a smooth and uniform surface for painting. Use a softened brush or roller to apply the primer.
4. Paint the cabinets – Use high-quality paint to coat the cabinets. Start with the edges and corners, then work your way out. If you are looking for a professional finish, use a paint sprayer.
5. Reinstall Damaged Hardware – With the passage of time, wooden cabinets can expand or compress, affecting the overall shutter of the cabinet. Once you have prepared the surface, you can install new hardware accessories.

Final Word!

When investing an amount in upgrading your existing kitchen style or cabinets, you must take advice or suggestions from seasoned architects and interior designers. Moreover, it’s important that you take cost-effective suggestions from third-party contractors and freelancers. If you are looking to award the contract to a professional interior designing firm, you can ask for bids from different contracting firms around you.

After going through the prices offered against the services, you can finalize the bill of quantities along with the labour rates. This strategy will give you an idea about the existing market rates and other services required in the refinishing phase.