Replacing kitchen cabinet hardware is a terrific solution for old and worn fixtures in the kitchen or even in the bathroom. A full kitchen makeover can cost tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars, making it prohibitive for many home sellers. However, by home staging a kitchen, you can achieve a completely new elegance using many of the existing features, for a fraction of the cost of replacement.
The ideal finishing touch is replacing the cabinet hardware for a completely new look and feel. Hardware replacement is an easy fix for an outdated and dysfunctional kitchen. New hardware is not expensive and replacement can be performed by anyone with the most rudimentary knowledge of home repair.
This discussion will detail the benefits of replacing kitchen hardware for a much improved overall aesthetic.
Replacing Kitchen Cabinet Hardware Tips
Old cabinets can be brought into the modern age with a coat of paint. Start by taking off the doors and sanding everything really smooth. Prime the surface and paint it in a nice neutral color, which will instantly take decades off the age of the room. Replace the doors and add then new hardware for a completely revitalized look. Although hardware is a small detail, it is certain to really make a huge difference to the look of the room.
In some kitchens, all I do is replace the hardware and still the room can transform from sad to fantastic with only a few minutes worth of work. Learn more about how home staging with paint can add many benefits in your kitchen and all over your home.
Cabinet Hardware Replacement Pointers
Some cabinets will need to be re-drilled in order to update the hardware correctly. In these cases, make sure to take the time to patch the old holes prior to refinishing or painting the doors or drawer fronts. This is actually very easy to do, but can be difficult if you are not painting or staining the doors anew.
In these cases, you may have to try to match the size of the new hardware exactly, in order to use the same existing holes. This may limit your options, but still allows a better look, with even less work than a complete cabinet overhaul. If this is not possible, you might consider patching then trying to match the finish to the existing cabinet or drawer color. In some instances this can be relatively easy, while in others, it may be virtually impossible. For difficult matches, you might want to reconsider refinishing the cabinet and drawer fronts for a better presentation.
Replacing Kitchen Cabinet Hardware Results
Remember that you can replace the hardware on any cabinet, vanity or piece of furniture for the same excellent results. I often use this technique to update bathroom fixtures and old furniture items, such as dressers and desks. Modern hardware and some paint will make even the worst condition furniture look brand-new for almost no monetary investment.
A final word of advice when buying hardware: Look in large home improvement stores for contractor packs of replacement hardware. These multi-piece sets will save you half the cost compared to buying new hardware piece by piece. For an average size kitchen, this can save you between $100 to $300 dollars alone.
In my kitchen, the existing cabinetry has a modern white finish with partial glass-front doors. Unfortunately, they also had dated vinyl pulls. I did not have to refinish, but I did have to patch holes to make room for the new hardware configuration. Some spackle and some gloss white paint worked perfectly. You can not even see the old holes at all. I added beautiful new brushed nickel pulls and handles for a great finishing touch. My kitchen looks great, with minimal work.
