Even the best kitchens start to look tired after many years of faithful service, so don’t feel bad if the shine has gone off yours. The worktops become dull from years of chopping and scrubbing, and the doors sag as the hinges show signs of strain. There are two options available to you; fit a brand new kitchen or renovate your old one. If you don’t have the funds for a new installation, you have come to the right place. We are going to explore ways to revive a tired kitchen on a modest budget. It’s easier than you think.
The Doors And Drawers Have the cabinet doors and drawer fronts suffered from damage over the years? Don’t worry, there is no need to replace the cabinets too. Most of them are a standard size, and you can buy replacements. It is an ideal opportunity to make your kitchen look completely different to how it did before. The fronts in many modern kitchens come without handles. They are push to open, and push to close. It is all down to the hinges and catches; your new doors will have no holes for handles, so you don’t have to fit them unless you choose to.
The drawers are easy to fix, but you will need a special drill bit to create holes so that you can recess the hinges into the doors. They are cheap and available from all DIY stores.
The Worktops When you have fixed the doors, turn your attention to the worktops. Pop along to your local
timber yard to see what they have in stock. Most of them are a standard 600mm wide, but they come in various thicknesses. I find that the thicker the counter, the more robust it looks.
Undo the screws from below the old worktops and lift them out of the way. Don't dispose of them yet though, they will act as templates for the new ones, so that you will achieve a perfect fit. Put your new tops on the floor and lie the old ones on top of them. Using a pencil, draw around the old counters. You must now cut the new ones to size using the appropriate tools. You may need a hand saw, circular saw, and jigsaw to shape a new piece. When it is ready, mount it on the cupboards and fix it in place.
Splashback Replace the tile splashback in your kitchen with new. Use a hammer and bolster chisel to remove the old tiles and repair any damage to the wall with plaster. I hope your
tiling skills are up to scratch because your work will be on view for all the world to see. Take your time and do an excellent job.
Lighting Install some new LED light fittings below the wall cupboards. They offer an efficient task lighting solution and make the place look warm and cosy in the evenings. Employ an electrician to do the job if necessary; you shouldn’t mess with electricity unless you are qualified to do so.
You will only need to spend a tenth of the cost of a new kitchen to revamp your old one. I think you will agree with me; that is a bargain. Look out for more of my wisdom; it could save you a fortune in the future.