The kitchen is the focal point of a home, and whether you are buying, selling, or staying put indefinitely, the way in which 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 The kitchen can be decorated from top to bottom, but if the cabinets are old and outdated they will bring down the entire look of not only the room, but also the entire home. Wood cabinets are the single largest expense when remodeling a kitchen, but it is not necessary to buy new cabinets if the old cabinetry is in solid 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
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Nothing brings down the appearance of a kitchen quite like damaged wood cabinets. When looking for easy and creative ways to update old cabinets, begin by cleaning, polishing, and removing scratches and other blemishes. Wash down cabinetry with oil soap and water according to product label instructions. Next, use natural orange or lemon oil to polish the wood. In many cases small scratches will become unapparent. Larger scratches can be filled in with wood putty, lightly sanded, and covered with matching stain. After giving kitchen cabinetry a thorough cleaning, inside as well as out, try one or more of the following ways to update old cabinetry to give it a whole new look.
Outfit Cabinets with New and Stylish Knobs
The age of cabinets can often be determined simply by examining the hardware. Kitchen cabinet handles and knobs date cabinetry, but this can be easily remedied by outfitting cabinets with stylish new knobs. Kitchen cabinet knobs are available in thousands of themes, colors, and styles. A new set of hardware can make old cabinetry look completely different and exceptionally stylish. Knobs and handles are not cheap, but considering the cost of new cabinetry or cabinet refacing, new knobs are one of the cheapest ways to update old cabinets. To find the lowest price and the widest selection of knobs and handles, consider shopping online. This alone will update old kitchen cabinets with an entirely new look.
Add Decorative Carved Embellishments
Plain wood cabinets with flat paneled doors can look rich and exceptionally stylish with the addition of flat-backed carvings. Browse a local wood supply store or home improvement store, and look for carved wood pieces that are ready to paint or stain. Lightly sand and finish the carvings before staining or painting to match the cabinetry. Allow it to dry completely, and center finished carvings on cabinet doors using clamps and clear drying wood glue. When stained or painted to match the existing finish, they will look like they were hand-carved especially for the kitchen cabinet doors.
These are just some of the ways to update old kitchen cabinets. When cabinetry is sturdy, why completely remodel? Invest in the quality cabinets you already own, and give them a much needed facelift to make them look as good as or better than new.
Kitchen Decorating - Easy and Creative Ways to Update Old Cabinets
This article was written by Angela Steward for http://www.WallDecorandHomeAccents.com - a site featuring: wall art decor and canvas oil paintings.