Up-date Your Kitchen in a Weekend for $100 or Less
Paint is the easiest and fastest way to change the looks of a room and paint will make your kitchen look like new. Cabinets doors can be painted in solid colors or a faux finish, sponge or rag painted, stenciled or decoupaged. Doors will need to be removed, as well as all hardware and pulls. If you’re not replacing the old hinges, clean them well and paint with spray enamel. Use a good degreaser to clean the doors, let dry, then sand lightly. Apply a primer, let dry, sand lightly and wipe off any dust, then finish in your chosen color. Cost for this project will depend on how many cabinets you have but a $20-25 gallon of paint will go a long way. Primer will be about the same price as paint.
Add new pulls to go with the new look. Hardware and pulls start at about a dollar for unfinished to $15 or more for specialty designs and finishes. You might consider choosing these before deciding on the cabinet color. Be certain to measure the distance between holes for drawer handles to get the proper size because handles are not created equal.
If your counter top is worn and battered and replacement costs are not in the budget, laminate can be painted to brighten it up and add to the new look in your kitchen. The countertop should be prepared the same way as the cabinet doors. If there are serious chips or gouges, use a good wood filler, then sand again. Apply an oil based primer and allow to dry overnight. Apply the oil based topcoat, let it dry, sand lightly and wipe off dust, then apply second a second coat of paint. If you plan to do any faux finishes, such as marble or wood, this is the time to do it. Allow the surface to dry overnight, then seal with oil based polyurethane. Oil based primers and paints may cost slightly more than water based.
Add a border to the top of the wall, at chair rail height, or under the cabinets. Borders come in all price ranges and with hundreds of patterns to choose from, there is one that will enhance the new look you want to create. For a distinctive look, borders that have a curved or scalloped bottom edge can be applied upside down, with the scallop at the top.
Before starting any project, be sure to have all tools and supplies on hand. For the projects mentioned here, you’ll need degreaser or another cleaning solution, a bucket, paint brushes, rags, sandpaper, a drop cloth to keep paint off floors, and a screwdriver.
A few tips to keep in mind:
*Give yourself enough time to do the job properly.
*Allow each coat of paint or other finish to dry thoroughly.
*Open windows for ventilation when using oil based products.
*Follow the specific directions for use and clean-up for each product you use.
*Cabinet doors will fit best if they are put back on the same cabinet they were removed from.
*A cutting board will protect your newly painted counter top from nicks and gouges.
