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If you want to give your kitchen a great new look but you don't have thousands of dollars to do a kitchen renovation, you can refinish your cabinets and make your kitchen look fantastic without spending a fortune. It is not expensive to refinish your cabinets, even if a few components need to be replaced and you want to get new hardware. You can increase the value of your home, not to mention the look, significantly at a low cost with just a little elbow grease. You do not need to be an expert or professional to refinish your kitchen cabinets, and almost anyone can do this job and end up with a fantastic kitchen.

The first step is to clean out the kitchen cabinets and drawers, so that they are completely empty. Look the cabinets and drawers over very closely, for any signs of rot, excessive wear, or damage. If there are any of these items, replace or repair the cabinet or drawer before you start to refinish the cabinets. Take the shelves out of the cabinets and set them off to the side. Make sure that you have the floor and counter tops covered with a drop cloth. Now take all the hardware off the cabinets and drawers, and set them in a safe place nearby. This includes all hinges, handles, and other accessories.

The next step is to clean the cabinets, doors, and drawers with a household cleaner that removes grease as well as dirt. Make sure that any grease or buildup is removed completely. Now use cool water to rise off the cabinets. Use wood putty to fill in any holes in the wood so that the surface is even. The next step is to sand down the surfaces. Sand using a light grit sandpaper. Sand the drawers, doors, frames, and faces of all the cabinets. This step will smooth down the surface, remove any flaws or irregularities, and take off the gloss and any paint or varnish. Make sure to remove all the dust left by the sanding, using a vacuum then a damp cloth to ensure no dust remains.

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The next step is to apply the varnish or paint. There are many different options to choose from. Varnishes can come in several types, like cherry, maple, mahogany, teak, walnut, and others. If you are using varnish look for a shade that matches your kitchen. A dark kitchen would look dull and drab if a dark varnish was used, while the same dark varnish would look terrific in a kitchen full of windows and light. If you are using paint, there are endless possibilities. Many home improvement stores have paint mixers and trained personnel who can help you get just the right shade. You can even find a color you really like and have a custom blend made.

When you apply the varnish or paint, start with the doors of the cabinet first, so that they can be drying while you do the other components. Apply the varnish or paint in a top to bottom motion, making sure to apply an even coat across the entire piece. Once the doors are done, do the drawers in the same way. Next the frame of the cabinets can be done. Give plenty of time for the varnish or paint to dry completely, and then add a second coat for complete and thorough coverage. If you are using varnish, you may want to repeat for a third coat as well.

Now it is time to put the handles back on. You can use the old handles, or you can replace them with new handles for a spectacular look. Take a trip to any home improvement store and browse through the available handles that can be found. They come in all different materials and shapes. There are sure to be a number of quality kitchen cabinet handles that would make a wonderful addition to your kitchen cabinets and kitchen. Once you have decided on the handles, put them on the doors and drawers. The last step is to put the doors back on the kitchen cabinets. Replace the old hinges with new ones, to ensure a good fit and proper operation. It is very important to make sure the cabinet doors are level with the cabinet frame and the other doors, to ensure a proper look and fit. Refinishing your kitchen cabinets can be a simple job, and can be done in a weekend. Your kitchen can have a complete new look and feel for a very low cost.

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The possibilities are endless! In today's market, your kitchen can be just that - a kitchen - or it can take you in countless directions depending on your choice of countertops.

Traditionally, the name "Formica" was equated with "laminate" countertops. For years, these were among the only options available and selections were limited. Nowadays, however, laminate countertops have evolved to the point of offering hundreds of color and texture variations; additionally, a myriad of solid and natural surfaces have emerged in the industry.

How do you choose? What are the pros and cons involved with "Formica" countertops?

In most situations, budget considerations are first and foremost. If this were our only topic of conversation, laminate countertops would win hands down. The laminate material is quite affordable and cabinet suppliers are adept at crafting the necessary plywood underlayment. Beyond that, the cutting and application of the laminate material is a matter of routine in any cabinet shop; in fact, most quoted cabinet prices including laminate countertops - with limited color alternatives.

Though laminates do vary in price from product to product, they are, generally speaking, the "starting price point" in countertop choices. Solid surface products such as Corian, along with natural slate, stone, granite, marble, etc., are more expensive in two categories - raw material and installation. This is partially due to the labor-intensive process of on-site templates and the high level of expertise needed to cut natural materials successfully - not to mention the proper equipment! Occasionally natural tile squares may be acquired at low prices, but proper installation requires a skilled craftsman unless you are a top notch do-it-yourselfer, and they are much in demand and quite pricey.

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Running a close second to budget considerations is maintenance issues. "Formica" countertops are a snap to keep clean and from that viewpoint are very desirable. They can withstand heat to a certain degree which varies somewhat between products, but overly intense heat will leave a permanent discoloration. If this happens, no repair is available beyond replacing that section of countertop. When replacement sections are installed, also, you run a great risk of encountering a dye-lot variation, making the replacement very obvious.

Beyond these, the issue of scratching is one to be addressed. To a large extent, laminate surfaces are scratch-resistant. As a rule, the darker/shinier the surface, the more obvious the scratch will be. If scratching does occur, there is no available "fix" for it.

Lastly, depending on the color and texture of the laminate, spills, stains, and discolorations may be somewhat masked. This detail, coupled with the easy clean-up involved, is one for the "pro" side.

Solid surfaces and natural materials vary greatly in maintenance specifications. They are easy to keep clean with simple wiping, with the exception of tile squares because of the presence of grout lines, and certain ones will stain. Most solid surface products can be repaired when stained, but natural stone products that are porous and become stained cannot be restored. These general guidelines also apply to scratches on these surfaces.

Withstanding heat is a divergent topic when speaking of solid and natural countertop products. Many have a high heat tolerance, and each should be researched separately before any final decisions are made. As with staining and scratching, most solid surfaces can be repaired when burned. Natural stone products react differently from one another to heat; some are subject to cracking, while others withstand high heat well.

Last but certainly not least is the aesthetic viewpoint. Opinions are as diverse here as the number of countertops that are installed! At one end of the spectrum are those who insist on laminate and rejoice in the current assortment of color and texture options. Their arguments would include ease of maintenance, low cost factor, and their perception that the laminate products closely mirror their "sister" designs, i.e. a "faux stone" laminate.

At the opposite extreme are those who refuse to consider anything other than a "natural" surface, citing tradition and quality as their basis for argument.

The "in betweens", are people who approach their project with no set bias, research the subject thoroughly, and examine their options based on all of the elements involved. The weight given to each category will depend on their personal preferences.

Back to our original question, to "Formica" or not to "Formica" The answer is rooted in what you are trying to achieve. If your top priority is budget, then laminate products are the answer. If low maintenance is high on your list, both laminates, solid, and natural products should be considered. On the aesthetic front, each person is entitled to their own opinion.

Countertops are a crucial element in any kitchen, and by weighing your options carefully, your countertops can be a continual source of pride and pleasure.

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