Kitchen Facelift Made Easy

(Family Features) If your kitchen needs updating but all new cabinets are out of your budget’s reach, consider instead a makeover for the cupboards you already have. A fresh coat of paint is a relatively inexpensive and easy way to transform a tired, outdated kitchen.

Wooden cabinets with minimal architectural detail (raised panels, routing, etc.) are the easiest styles to repaint, but that’s not to say other materials and styles can’t be done. You’ll just need to plan on added complexity and time.

Follow these steps for a looks-like-new kitchen you can update on your own:

1. Start by removing the cabinet doors and hardware, including all knobs, pulls, etc. Unscrew hinges from the cabinet side, leaving them intact with the doors. Using a piece of painter’s tape, label each door and it’s corresponding location, as well as a plastic bag of related hardware, so it can all be reassembled easily when you’re done.
   
2. Years of cooking residue needs to be cleaned away so you have a fresh surface for your new paint. Scrub thoroughly but avoid soaking cabinets with the effort. Allow them to dry thoroughly before moving on to the next step.
   
3. Sanding the doors and cabinets will ensure a stronger base for your new paint to adhere to. If you’re only painting the exterior, there’s no need to sand inside the cabinets. Just tape off the interior to avoid unnecessary work and unsightly scuffs. Aim for a consistent look across all surfaces, giving special attention to any areas where the prior finish is especially rough or shiny. If you have to sand away the old finish entirely, fade those areas into the remaining finish to prevent any obvious demarcation. Use a cloth and vacuum to remove resulting dust.
   
4. Apply primer-sealer to all surfaces and allow to dry thoroughly.
   
5. Begin painting, starting with the cabinets first, giving special attention to drips and smudges in the visible areas. Follow up by painting doors and drawers, avoiding pooling of excess paint around corners and other architectural details. Use care to prevent visible brushstrokes by applying thin coats.
   
6. Once the first coat is dry, lightly sand and wipe away dust with a cloth.
   
7. Apply the final coat of paint and allow all surfaces to dry thoroughly before rehanging.

Accent your newly painted cabinets with some new wall paint or window treatments and you have a whole new room for a fraction of the cost of all new cabinetry.