Good layout

The layout is the number-one feature home buyers are looking at in a kitchen. While cabinets and appliances can be changed, changing the whole layout of a kitchen after buying a home may not be in the cards for new home buyers. Having a poor layout will alienate a lot of potential buyers who will pass up on your home because they are looking for a more functional kitchen. 

 

Quality cabinetry 

Whether you are upgrading for yourself, or to sell, quality cabinetry is extremely important. Decide on a style and quality that will age well and withstand trends and changing tastes. This means to not pick anything too trendy. Trendy styles can look dated quickly, and don’t appeal to the masses. 

 

Keep flow in design

If you have shaker cabinets in your bathrooms and laundry room, it is best to use the same style cabinets in your kitchen. Having a mis-matched home is unappealing to buyers. 

Choose light colors

Unfortunately dark kitchens are out. People are looking for “light and bright”, which makes sense! Lighter spaces appear larger and keep a space more illuminated. While dark kitchens can be gorgeous, the lighter the better in terms of resale. 

New Cabinets

 

The first option in a home remodel, is to replace the cabinets entirely. While new cabinets are nice, and it allows you to change the layout of your kitchen, it comes at a cost. Prepare to spend the majority of your budget on cabinets alone. In the end, your kitchen will be extremely beautiful and will be more functional.

Paint current cabinets

 

Painting current cabinets is definitely an option, but not one we’d recommend. There are more cons than pros to painting. However, the biggest pro, is cheap. If you plan on spending any time in your home after doing the remodel, don’t go this route. However, if you’re just trying to freshen up the space to sell your home, it is an option. Paint chips easily, fades, nicks, and gets damaged easily. I would only paint your cabinets when looking to sell, if you have a feeling people will want to gut your kitchen within a few years of buying the home (Probably due to a weird layout). 

Stain current cabinets

 

Staining and painting will be basically the same process in a lot of ways. Take off all the doors, apply lacquer or stain, do the same to all the boxes, then once everything is dry, reinstall everything. If you love the current layout of your kitchen, and you like your cabinet doors, this is a great option! Cheap and high quality finish that will last a long time!  

Reface cabinets

Cabinet refacing is an awesome option. Within a weekend or so, you have a completely redone kitchen that looks brand new. Unlike a full kitchen cabinet remodel, the cabinet box is not destroyed when refacing your cabinets. Refacing involves replacing all cabinet doors and drawer fronts and cover existing cabinet boxes with new wood. Additions to your cabinets can easily be made and seamlessly blended in as well. 

Painted cabinets

While we will never recommend painting your cabinets, sometimes we can’t pick the cabinets we have. Painted cabinets are a bit tricky when it comes to cleaning, because the finish is very fragile. Avoid using harsh cleaners, as they can strip the paint. Soap and water, or diluted vinegar, are great options for cleaning. Just make sure to not scrub too hard, and to dry off the surface completely once finished. 

 

Laminate 

Laminate cabinets are my favorite, in terms of clean up! Since they’re not a traditional wood, there is no porous material to be worried about. Any all purpose cleaner will do the trick (Mrs. Meyers is my favorite), or even just water and a microfiber cloth to avoid damaging the finish is all it really takes to keep them shiny and beautiful! 

Stained wood

Stained wood cabinets are definitely a lot of work to keep them in good shape, but the finish and beauty is completely worth it. These cabinets need to be washed and oiled about twice a year. A good mixture for a cleaning solution is  six-eighths distilled white vinegar, one-eighth rubbing alcohol, and one-eighth water with a few drops of dish soap. With this mixture, and a cloth, just start wiping down! Once done, wipe down with a clean, damp cloth. It is as simple as that for the cleaning process. Finish with any furniture oil, and you’re on your way to keeping your cabinets gorgeous for many years to come. 

 

Crown molding

 

Crown molding is one of the easiest additions for a kitchen to create a custom feel. With so many options out there, and a few simple tools, this can even be a DIY project. Make sure to use wood stain or lacquer to match your cabinets, and you’re set. This is definitely the quickest and easiest way to add some character to a worn out kitchen.

Decorative legs and supports

 

Adding a bit of character by adding decorative legs or cabinet supports is easy! There are many facades that are able to be purchased at your local hardware store or a local cabinet company! 

Corbels

 

Adding corbels to a kitchen may or may not be necessary in terms of function. However, for a custom look look they are 100% necessary! Corbels are an architectural detail that can step up the game of any kitchen. Which so many different options available, there isn’t an option that won’t with with your tastes. 

Furniture toe kicks

 

Most kitchens have a standard toe kick in the kitchen, that 4″ space between the cabinet and floor. However, there is a much more designer looking option out there. Adding furniture toe kicks in lower traffic areas will create a more custom look. Furniture toe kicks are more detailed and creates a freestanding look. This is especially great for a kitchen island. 

Pros

Gives an open and simplistic feeling

Having dishes, fruit, cutting board or other kitchen items on display shows that you’re a real person. However, having them always organized also shows how you have a real grip on life. At least that is what social media has made it out to be. I personally love open shelving when done right. They key is, the stuff you have on your open shelves, is either stuff you never use, or stuff you use frequently. If you use the same bowl every day, having it on an open shelf is fine, since dust wont collect within a day. having your fancy dishes that are for looking at, or small pieces of art, are also a great way to create the calm and collected look we are all trying to portray. 

 

Makes the kitchen feel larger

Without big boxy cabinets covering the wall space, there is a good 10″ of extra space on your kitchen walls. This makes a huge impact on kitchens big and small. 

 

Cost

Cost may be a factor in the choice of how a kitchen remodel is done! One great benefit to open shelving is that it can be much cheaper than than cabinet boxes! It can also cost the same depending on the route you go, but generally it will be at least a bit cheaper. 

 

Cons

Storage

Storage is always a huge concern in kitchens. Everyone lives by the idea that “the more storage, the better”. With open shelving, it takes away the ability to hide unsightly countertop appliances, poorly stackable storage containers, and older chipped dishes that are still functional. 

 

Dust

With dishes you use once a week or every other week. Dust will collect, and you’ll have to wash them again before you serve food.

 

Clutter

This goes hand and hand with the storage. Most kitchens have some sort of clutter, with the last of closed shelving, all the clutter will either be crammed in lower shelves, or displayed for the whole world to see. 

So how does it work?

A Cabinet Cures professional will first visit your home. You can ask as many questions as you’d like and explain exactly what you want for your kitchen.

They will take all the measurements of your cabinets, remove and recycle your outdated doors for you!

With a door-less kitchen, all that will be left is the cabinet boxes. Professionals will refinish your boxes to match your new, pretty doors that are going to be manufactured!

Now here is the fun part! After your new, custom doors are built and hand finished in the shop, they will come back to your home and install every door with care. It is as simple as that. Viola! A brand new, updated kitchen, ready to impress.

This process sounds long, right? It actually takes on average about 3 to 5 days! What a fantastic way to upgrade your kitchen, just in time for the holidays. Your family will be impressed  and you no longer have to be embarrassed with your worn out kitchen!

2. Indoor/outdoor rug

Bringing an indoor/outdoor rug is a great way to liven up a space! Not only are these rugs more durable, the fun patterns and colors is sure to make the space feel more summery.

3. Decorate with Palm fronds

Palm leaves will outlast any bouquet of flowers, and will add a great tropical vibe to your kitchen or dining table. 

4. Beach finds

If you have open shelving in your kitchen (or shelves anywhere in your home), try placing shells or a small piece of driftwood with your dishes or other decor to add some natural elements and create an interesting, bright and airy space.

5. Grow Herbs

Vertical gardens have becoming more and more common as spaces get smaller. Having an herb wall like this is a great way to decorate you space and make it more functional. 

They offer more lighting and “charm” opportunities

 

When upper cabinets are glass front, adding light into these cabinets and pairing with some “show” dishes gives a whole other dimension to a kitchen. The upper cabinets can have different styles of detailed glass and the ability to switch out the dishes with each season is an added bonus.   

They can make a space feel more cramped

 

Countering with the above statement, while a kitchen may look more finished, it can also be “too much”. The saying ‘less is more’ is out there for a reason. A wall of cabinets in a smaller kitchen may not be the right way to go. It will look like the homeowner is struggling to find places to hide all their stuff, and that the home already doesn’t offer enough storage. 

They can make a kitchen look more finished

 

Who doesn’t want a kitchen to feel polished? The gap of space from the top of kitchen cabinets to the ceiling sometimes give a lot of be desired. Having the second row of cabinets create a more designer feel. They can be paired used as glass front cabinets to add an extra “custom” touch as well. 

They’re more work

 

This is a bit of a no brainer. More surfaces, means more surfaces to clean. If they’re glass front cabinets, that is even an extra added step. On top of just having more to take care of, they’re a bit higher up. Unless you’re 6’5″+, a step stool will be required for cleaning days. 

 

If you plan on refinishing your cabinets, consider a lacquer or stain. 

Extra storage space

 

Who wouldn’t love more storage space? Being able to store all your holiday dishes and linens in the kitchen rather than in the garage is an absolute dream! They’re also practical for less-used appliances, utensils and cookware.

They’re hard to reach

 

Of course, while extra storage is great, is it really that beneficial if it is a pain in the butt to get access to? Another thing to consider is safety (Imagine your elderly mother trying to crawl onto the counter to reach something).
Safety aside, if items in these cabinets are hard to reach, you may just forget about them all together. Once loved pots and pans are now sitting in a dusty graveyard.

Custom Cabinetry

Cabinetry has a very wide range of prices. Stock cabinets start at around $50 per foot while custom can go upwards of about $2000 per foot. If you are able to re-purpose your current boxes, you can keep the custom cabinet look for a fraction of the price. Cabinet refacing is an amazing, cost effective alternative. 

The real key, no matter what you decide to do, is to price everything out ahead of time, before even starting the renovation. 

Appliances

Kitchen appliances also have a large range in terms of pricing. When choosing your appliances, take features into account. While you may want the “best of the best” if the appliance has a ton of features you don’t think you’ll ever use, don’t get it. The top of the line appliances are tens of thousands of dollars, and most of the features aren’t for the “every day” cook. Do research and find out what you get for a various cost ranges. That way you can determine if the price of the features are worth the expense for your lifestyle.

Surprise costs behind walls

The scary part about opening walls and pulling up flooring, is that you never know what you’re going to find behind them. Sneaky water leaks, termite damage, and other accidents that are out of anyone’s control are all things to consider, The best way to combat this, is to add an extra contingency in your budget, We recommend about a 20% contingency set aside for unforeseen issues.  If everything goes smoothly, that money can either go back into your pocket, or go into upgrades for your kitchen! 

Special features

Extra ‘add-ons’ can make a good kitchen into a great kitchen. Soft close cabinets and drawers, extra built-ins, wine racks etc. Depending on the scale of your imagination, these add-ons could reach $15,000+ in costs. If these features are in your price range, and are must-haves, then do it! But before getting your hopes set on the “best of the best”, price out which ones you would like, but don’t need, and see if they fit in your budget. 

You change your mind

Half way though the remodel and it isn’t looking quite right. The biggest fear is having the reality of a remodel not live up to your expectations. Before starting your remodel, make sure to hone your design tastes down to one specific style. The worst thing thing to do is start looking at kitchens online after your have already set your renovation in motion. After a project has begun, don’t touch it. Making changes half way through, costs raise substantially. 

Simple door design

 

There are some really neat door styles out there, but not all doors are created equal. Unfortunately, the more detailed the door, the more surface area there is to clean. And especially when accidents happen in the kitchen, there will be more crevasses that food can get stuck in.   The best way to keep your kitchen as low maintenance as possible, is to choose a simple door. Flat paneled for the modern lover, and shaker for someone just a bit more traditional. 

While this will cost a bit more initially, choose to inset your doors, rather than have them sit on top. Flush cabinets create an easy wiping surface, which can cut cleaning time in half.

For the daily cook, it is recommended to wipe down cabinets daily for proper maintenance. For those who don’t cook often, dust still accumulates quickly. Twice a month is a fair estimate for the bare minimum cabinets should be cleaned. Make this task go by quicker with less to scrub! 

Avoid the extra details

 

Corbels, crown molding and fancy hardware are all beautiful features in a kitchen, and are again, things that accumulate more dust. I can’t emphasize this enough, the simpler the better. There are other ways to add charm to a home without adding a bunch of add-ons to the kitchen. Kitchen cabinets collect a lot of grease and food particles, and unfortunately, crown molding actually makes it harder to clean the tops of your cabinets. 

Don’t paint your cabinets

 

There are many reasons why painting your cabinets is a bad idea, but maintenance is on the top of the list. Paint is porous and can collect extra particles. Poor paint jobs have a tacky feel, which can collect even more dust than “well” painted cabinets. On top of this, paint can easily chip, and it fades, so fixing any damage that may happen will be extremely hard to do.

 

If you plan on refinishing your cabinets, consider a lacquer or stain. 

Avoid glass front cabinet doors.

 

I know, I know, glass front cabinets are absolutely beautiful. But they require a lot of extra work! If you love the look, try to opt for open shelving instead. While there will still need to be dusting, for the few of up who don’t keep up on our weekly cleaning tasks, open shelving hides grease and grime much more than glass front cabinets. If you absolutely need to have glass front cabinets, try keeping them as far away from the cooking area as possible. The grease and food particles that ride from your stove take their final landing ground right on your cabinets. Glass doors show this much more quickly than regular cabinets. 

Start a routine and stick to it

Once you have your beautiful new kitchen, you’ll probably take extremely good care of it for about the first year. Over time, the love and excitement begins to fade, and it is just another chore. Stay diligent and take care of your beautiful kitchen. A kitchen you take care of, will take care of you for many years to come.