How to Change Old Kitchen Cupboards
If your kitchen features old wood and laminate kitchen cupboards and you want a new look, one option is to reface the cabinets. This is the process of changing the appearance of the cupboards by adding new laminate veneer over the laminate portions (generally the cupboard frame, not the doors or drawer fronts) and changing the visible hardware. Visit your home improvement store for the materials you'll need. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Screwdriver
- Vibrating sander
- Tape measure
- Self-stick laminate veneer
- Razor knife
- J-roller for veneer
- New drawer pulls and doorknobs
Instructions
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1
Use your screwdriver to remove the cupboard doors, hinges and all related hardware.
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2
Go over the surface of the cupboard with a vibrating sander until it is dull and flat. Clean off the dust.
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3
Measure the first section of the cupboard frame that you're going to reface. Mark out the measurements on a piece of laminate veneer, adding about an inch to it all around.
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4
Cut along the lines on the laminate veneer with your razor knife, scoring them. Snap them apart.
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5
Pull the paper backing off of the cut piece of laminate veneer. Immediately press the veneer to the surface where it's going, overhanging the edges by one inch.
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6
Run your razor knife along the edge of the area at a 45-degree angle to cut off the overhanging portion. Press over the laminate with a j-roller to squeeze out any air from behind it.
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7
Repeat the process for each span of the cupboard frame.
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8
Re-install the doors and hardware. Replace the drawer pulls and door knobs with new hardware to match the new laminate.
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Tips & Warnings
If you want an even more dramatic change to the look of the cabinet, you can paint or refinish the doors and drawer fronts.
