You don’t have to remove your cabinet doors for a fresh look. Instead, try updating them with molding, inserts, and other decorative touches.
Use baseboard trim pieces with mitered corners to create a frame on the face of a slab cabinet door, and affix them using wood glue. Visit Cabinet Refinishing San Jose CA for more information.
Choose Your Hardware
Updating hardware can be one of the most impactful ways to refresh your home. From kitchen cabinet pulls to door knobs, drawer and cabinet hardware can add a finishing touch that elevates the look of your space. There are a lot of choices, from traditional to modern and everything in between. Hardware is also a great way to express your personal style. From crystal knobs to specialty painted handles, the options are endless.
When choosing your hardware, let the overall design of your space guide you. For example, if you have more contemporary cabinetry, you might want to opt for more clean-lined hardware. On the other hand, if your cabinets are more traditional or modern traditional, you might want to opt for more intricately designed hardware.
Other factors to consider include the finish and material of your hardware. For instance, if you have warm cabinetry, brass hardware might go well with them, while cool cabinets might work better with steel or chrome hardware. You might also want to choose a material that is easy to maintain. For example, unlacquered brass will develop a warm patina that looks beautiful over time and is resistant to stains.
Once you’ve chosen your hardware, it’s a good idea to test out the pieces before finalizing any decisions. Place the knobs or handles on your cabinet doors and drawers to see how they feel in your hands and how well they fit the size of the opening. You should also try to match the hardware to your cabinet color.
Then, mark where the holes will be on the door or drawer front using a pencil or a ruler. This will help you make sure that your new hardware is placed correctly and doesn’t cover up any existing holes. For a quicker and easier process, invest in a cabinet hardware jig like the True Position Tools Cabinet Hardware Jig ORIGINAL to get perfectly aligned knob or handle holes every time.
Measure Your Space
When you decide to upgrade your cabinets, it’s important to consider the overall design of your kitchen. The cabinet doors you choose should match your style, rather than clash with it. Lighter cabinet colors can make a room feel airy and bright, while darker shades can add depth and warmth. You should also take into account the color of your walls, flooring and decor pieces. Matching your cabinets to these elements will help create a cohesive look that you’ll love for years to come.
To measure your cabinets, you’ll need a tape measure and pad of paper. Start by measuring the length of each cabinet in inches. Then, add these numbers together and divide the total by 12. The resulting number is how many linear feet of cabinets you have. This measurement can be helpful when shopping around for quotes from painters, as it will give you a ballpark figure of how much your project will cost.
In addition to using a tape measure, it’s a good idea to sketch out your kitchen on paper before you get started. This will help you keep track of all your measurements and ensure that you’ve measured everything correctly. It’s also easy to forget a small detail, like the thickness of the cabinet door, if you don’t draw it out on paper first.
Another advantage of a written diagram is that you can reference it later when you’re ready to install your new hardware. It can also help you remember the measurements if you’re working with multiple people on the project, which is often the case during a cabinet refinishing job. This helps prevent confusion and allows everyone to work more efficiently.
Test-Fit Your Hardware
If you’re refacing your cabinets, the first step is to clean all of the surfaces that will be covered by the new veneer or panels. Use a mild degreaser to remove any oils or dirt that could prevent the adhesive from bonding properly. Then, once everything has been cleaned, it’s time to start applying the veneer or panels.
Before applying the new veneer, it’s a good idea to test-fit your cabinet hardware to ensure that it will fit and be functional. You can do this by using tape or sticky tack to mark the location of your cabinet handles and knobs. Then, you can play around with the hardware placement until it looks right to you.
Another thing to keep in mind when choosing your cabinet hardware is that it will impact the overall look of your kitchen. There are a lot of different trends when it comes to cabinet hardware, so make sure that you choose something that will match the rest of your kitchen design. For example, warm cabinets tend to look best with brass or bronze hardware while cool cabinets look better with silver and black.
To find the size of your cabinet door, you can measure the distance from the bottom edge of the upper or lower cabinet doors to where you want the handle or knobs to go. Then, you can subtract that amount from the overall width of the cabinet door to get its finished size.
You can also try measuring the screw hole spacing on your existing hinges to determine their actual dimensions and positioning. This can be helpful if you’re going to install the same type of hinges on your refurbished cabinetry, as it will give you an idea of how far apart the holes need to be for your new cabinet hardware.
Drill the Holes
You’ve spent a lot of time and money on your cabinet refinishing project. Now it’s time to install the new hardware! While this step can seem tedious, it is very important to get right. Installing your new hardware in the wrong place can ruin your beautiful kitchen! I’ve seen many homeowners skip this step to “save time,” but it usually backfires. They end up with misaligned handles, a splotchy finish, and frustration.
To avoid these issues, follow the tips below to ensure that your new hardware is installed correctly.
If you’re using a jig, make sure it has the correct drill bit size for your hardware. The jig should also have hardware spacing pins to set the space between holes on both sides of the door. Line up the jig with your mark and drill. Repeat this process for each side of your cabinet door and drawer.
Before drilling, put a piece of tape or sticky-tack on the back of your hardware to test its placement. This will help prevent the hardware from accidentally popping off when you screw it in. It will also give you a good idea of whether your drilled holes will be centered vertically or horizontally.
After you’ve drilled the holes, use a clean cloth to wipe away any dust or debris from your doors and drawers. This will prepare them for priming and painting. Then, apply an even coat of your chosen cabinet paint to the doors and drawers. Allow to dry for at least 24 hours, then sand with very fine grit sandpaper to smooth the surface. If you’re worried about your ability to get the perfect match in a small area, consider using a high-quality primer like Extreme Bond, which will provide superior adhesion and eliminate the need for extensive sanding before painting.
Paint Your Cabinets
Installing cabinet hardware correctly is one of the most important steps in a successful kitchen remodel, especially when it comes to cabinet drawers and doors. Not only does the hardware need to look good, but it also needs to function properly. That’s why it’s important to test-fit your new handles and knobs before committing to them.
This step is a must regardless of the style you choose for your cabinet hardware. It may seem like an extra step, but it’s worth the effort to avoid the stress of a DIY disaster down the road. You’ll save time by testing the fit of your hardware before committing to it, and you’ll avoid the frustration of having to redo an entire project due to a misalignment of handles or crooked paint.
While you’re at it, take the opportunity to clean your cabinets with a degreaser to remove any grease or oil that has built up over time. This will help to ensure that your new primer and paint adhere properly.
Once your cabinets are clean, lightly scuff the surface using 220-grit sandpaper or a sanding block to scuff up any sheen and give them a smoother grip for the primer and paint. This will also help to eliminate any lingering dust from your previous finish, and it’s always a good idea to prep the surface before painting to ensure the best results.
If you’re ready to make a change to your cabinets, contact us at N-Hance today. Our experienced team can walk you through the process, from refinishing to installing hardware and everything in between. Schedule an estimate online or over the phone to get started.