Are you planning to buy new cabinets, paint them yourself or have them refaced?

Also, could you post a photo? Sometimes it's hardware that could use an upgrade and the style of the doors and drawer fronts.

Ok, here is a picture of the color and style of the cabinets. The second picture shows how the end cabs are just plain and cheap looking. We have already purchased nice stainless steel appliances and plan on upgrading countertops and change out back splash etc.

We have never done refacing because one of the local, highly regarded cabinet shops here in our town said that they finally had just had it and would never do refacing again. It seems that folks were just not happy with the quality (maybe expectations were not managed well??) and the process costs about 60-75% of what new cabinets cost. If they couldn't make folks happy, we felt it was not wise to recommend this process to our clients.

If new cabinetry is not an option for a client, we like to explore putting on new doors and drawer fronts and painting the cabinetry. Maybe add some end panels to spruce up the look (but this is not a contemporary look). Good luck.

Painting the cabinets won't solve the problem since they are not contemporary no matter what color they are. I don't know about the look of refacing. You can get panels for the side and put hardware on the cabinets and you might feel better about them. They look to be in good shape. If you live near a lowe's or home depot you could start there with pricing which may help with your decision. Don't know about Ikea's prices but certainly contemporary. You could probably check that cost online.

Helps to see the picture. The cathedral arch door is pretty outdated. If the boxes are of reasonable quality, then I would remove the doors and drawer fronts and replace them. There are sources for new, unfinished fronts. (American Door & Drawer is one we have seen). I would get door panels for the ends of your cabinets as well and use as applied panels. Have everything painted white.

Thanks so much for your help!!

agswinford,
How did your project go?
I am also wanting to do a kitchen update without spending a lot.
I'm considering changing the cabinet doors and refinishing the boxes. I want to change the counter tops & back splash. I may need to change the floor as well.
We haven't moved in yet, so the pictures are the previous owner's furniture etc.

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