| As the world sits firmly entrenched in a recession, | | | | cabinets. One of the homeowners highlighted in the |
| homeowners might be thinking that this spring is hardly | | | | article "assumed it (kitchen cabinet refacing) would be |
| the ideal time to be contemplating a kitchen overhaul. | | | | less expensive than pulling out the old cabinets and |
| As the heart of the kitchen, kitchen cabinets most | | | | starting over. The price [for such refacing, however,] |
| often come to mind when it comes to a room | | | | was not cheap. Ultimately, the homeowner was able |
| makeover. Unfortunately, brand new, custom-made | | | | to remove all the old cabinets, replace them with |
| kitchen cabinets are expensive and fall outside the | | | | semi-custom wood cabinets, install Corian countertops |
| budget of most of today's recession-anxious | | | | and install a tiled backsplash for $4,000 less." With so |
| homeowners. Fortunately, however, many affordable | | | | many options to choose from, stock cabinetry is fast |
| alternatives exist. | | | | becoming comparable to custom designed, yet it's |
| The Daily Journal recently tackled this topic in its spring | | | | much more wallet friendly. |
| home improvement section with an article titled, | | | | 3. Consider the fact that maybe your actually |
| "Cost-effective ways to rejuvenate one of the busiest | | | | cabinetry doesn't need any work at all. If you're looking |
| rooms." That room of which the publication is speaking, | | | | for a quick and easily update that will give your |
| of course, is the kitchen. So what ingenious ways did | | | | quality-constructed existing cabinets a brand new look, |
| the newspaper and its expert sources come up with | | | | perhaps a simple and inexpensive upgrade in your |
| to take the financial sting out of a cabinetry overhaul? | | | | hardware is all that is needed. "If the cabinets are |
| 1. Consider refacing your kitchen cabinets over | | | | made of wood and are in good, working condition, buy |
| replacing them. Your local home improvement center | | | | new hardware, knobs and hinges for a lot less money |
| can give you a good idea about what new door fronts | | | | than replacement cabinets," one expert recommended. |
| will cost you. Such a supercenter can also give you a | | | | Decorative accents put the finishing touch on your |
| glimpse into all your cabinet door options in one | | | | cabinetry. These enhancements customize your |
| convenient place. The wide variety of wood species, | | | | cabinetry for a look that reflects your personal style ... |
| door shapes and finish options may at first overwhelm | | | | and doesn't put a strain on your bank account. |
| you. The retailers' staff, however, can help you make | | | | 4. When all else fails, you can't go wrong with a new |
| sense of all your choices so you select the right door | | | | coat of paint. "A homeowner can get a brand new |
| fronts to fit your needs and lifestyle. As long as the | | | | freshening up on their existing cabinets without all the |
| basic construction of your cabinetry is in solid shape, | | | | project mess and inconvenience, using a washable |
| refacing is a great money-saving option. It isn't, | | | | oil-based paint in semi gloss, and the cost will range |
| however, always the least expensive route. | | | | between $1,200 to $1,500. |
| 2. Look into assembled and ready-to-assemble kitchen | | | | |