Old Kitchen Cabinets

Get all the info you'll need on old kitchen cabinets, from tips on how to restore them to ways you can recycle your old cabinets.

By: Sean McEvoy

Whether you're trying to figure out what to do with the old kitchen cabinets in the home you've just purchased or looking to refinish your existing ones, there are some important steps you'll want to take before you start.

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First, if you're in the former category and want to recycle your old kitchen cabinets and install new ones, there are many options available to you. You can potentially sell the old kitchen cabinets to a number of salvage stores or online auction sites. You may be able to donate them to non-profit organizations that collect and recycle construction materials for use in low-income housing. Or, if the cabinets are in such bad shape that you're not comfortable selling or donating them, you may just want to have them demolished and hauled away to a scrap heap.

If your old cabinets just need a facelift, you'll also have several options. If your cabinets are wood and you're comfortable with their style, you can sand them down and then repaint, stain or refinish them. If you think the style also needs an update, consider replacing the cabinet doors and hardware with a new style. If your cabinets are laminate, repainting can be slightly more complicated; consult a painting professional to ensure you're using the right materials and techniques.

Lastly, without painting staining or finishing your old cabinets, you can sand them down and add veneers that will approximate new wood finishes.

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