The kitchen is the focal point of a home, and whether you are buying, selling, or staying indefinitely, the way the kitchen is decorated is of the utmost importance. The kitchen can be decorated from top to bottom, but if the cabinets are old and outdated, they will tear down the entire look of not only the room, but the entire house as well. Wood cabinets are the biggest expense when remodeling a kitchen, but you don’t need to buy new cabinets if the old ones are in good condition. Consider the following easy and creative ways to update old cabinets and give your kitchen a simple makeover that will completely change the look of the room.
Polish the wood and remove unsightly scratches
Nothing reduces the appearance of a kitchen like damaged wooden cabinets. When looking for easy and creative ways to update old cabinets, start by cleaning, polishing, and removing scratches and other blemishes. Wash cabinets with soapy oil and water according to product label directions. Next, use natural orange or lemon oil to polish the wood. In many cases, small scratches will not be apparent. Larger scratches can be filled in with wood putty, lightly sanded, and covered with matching stain. After thoroughly cleaning your kitchen cabinets, both inside and out, try one or more of the following ways to update old cabinets to give them a whole new look.
Equip cabinets with sleek new knobs
The age of the cabinets can often be determined simply by examining the hardware. Kitchen cabinet handles and knobs date from cabinets, but this can be easily remedied by equipping cabinets with fancy new knobs. Kitchen cabinet knobs are available in thousands of themes, colors, and styles. A new set of hardware can make old cabinets look completely different and exceptionally stylish. Knobs and handles aren’t cheap, but considering the cost of new cabinets or cabinet liner, new knobs are one of the cheapest ways to update old cabinets. To find the lowest price and widest selection of knobs and handles, consider shopping online. This will only update the old kitchen cabinets with a whole new look.
Add decorative carved ornaments
Simple wood cabinets with flat-panel doors can look rich and exceptionally elegant with the addition of flat-back carvings. Look at your local wood supply store or home improvement store and look for pieces of carved wood that are ready to paint or stain. Lightly sand and finish carvings before staining or painting to match cabinets. Allow to dry completely and center finished carvings on cabinet doors with clamps and clear drying wood glue. When stained or painted to match the existing finish, they will appear hand-carved, especially for kitchen cabinet doors.
These are just some of the ways to update old kitchen cabinets. When cabinets are sturdy, why completely remodel them? Invest in the quality cabinets you already have and give them a much-needed facelift to make them look as good or better than the new ones.