Kitchen cabinets can be made 'new'

Cabinets, appliances, countertops and flooring should be considered in a kitchen remodel, experts said.

Depending on the budget, the redo can entail something as simple as replacing cabinet hardware ($1.99-$18.99, depending on style) and switch plates to installing granite countertops, tile or wood flooring and a Sub-Zero cooktop and fridge.

Refacing cabinets is an affordable alternative to buying new cabinets, says Greta Gruelich, owner of Perceptions Interior Design Group. If the cabinets are solid wood, the shelving is sturdy and you are satisfied with the layout, new fronts provide a like-new transformation.

If you decide to paint kitchen cabinets, Gruelich says, she advises sticking with white for a classic look as opposed to a trendy color.

Diane Neslund, owner of Distinctive Interiors and Design in Scottsdale, suggests faux painting with a darker stain on the inside panel of dated, lighter wood cabinets. Add brushed nickel (Kohler brushed-nickel faucet, $496.24 at Home Depot) or bronze hardware to freshen the look.

Granite remains the gold standard for countertops, real-estate agent Bill Fuchs says. However, don't further date your kitchen with last year's granite pattern and color choice. Think large-veined with lots of movement.

Stainless steel is the finish of choice for appliances.

Architectural surrounds or designer exhaust hoods over cooktops are one of the new baubles in kitchens. Microwaves are below the counter and no longer doing double duty as exhaust systems over stoves.

Wood flooring is appearing in kitchens, as are large squares of stone and tile, but Fuchs cautions that these finer surfaces require regular maintenance and might not be as serviceable for families with children and pets.

"Form follows function," he says, adding that laminate flooring is a wise choice for rooms with heavy foot traffic.

Cabinets and countertops are two cornerstones in a kitchen redo. Refacing cabinets is an affordable alternative to buying new ones.