By KATIE GOERS
Updating your kitchen is a great way to add value and personality to your home, and do-it-yourself projects are an inexpensive way to achieve the room of your dreams.
I spoke with Rich Carl, co-owner and project manager for iKitchens Etc. in Falmouth, to find out what you can do on your own to update your kitchen, as well as which projects should be left for the experts.
Giving Cabinets A Facelift
There are several ways to change the look of your existing kitchen cabinets. The most straightforward way is to paint them.
“Painting cabinets is a lot of work, but you can definitely do it yourself,” Mr. Carl said.
Since you will have to remove all of your cabinet doors to paint them, make putting them back on easier on yourself by numbering each door, so you remember where they go.
Once all of your doors have been taken off, numbered, and freed from their hardware, all you need to do is paint them the color of your choosing.
To protect your freshly painted doors from everyday wear and tear, be sure to apply a protective coating of polycrylic on top of the paint.
Another simple way to dress up your cabinets is to buy new hardware for them. Switching outdated handles and hinges are a quick way to bring cabinets up to date.
“The key to changing hardware is to make sure that the spacing is the same,” Mr. Carl said.
Before you buy new handles, measure the distance between the screws on your existing ones and be sure to buy your new ones with the same space between them.
If your cabinets are flat and you want to add some depth to them, adding trim will make it look as though you’ve bought all new cabinet doors.
An inexpensive way to do this is to use cheap yardsticks from the hardware store as your trim, but they will require a lot of sanding down to remove the numbers and markings. Buying wood trim might save you time and frustration.
Whichever route you decide to take, cut the trim to fit your cabinet doors and secure them in place with wood glue. Clamp the trim for about 10 minutes before priming and sanding them.
A good visual tutorial can be found here: www.beautifulmatters.com/2013/02/diy-inexpensive-cabinet-updates/.
Update Laminate Counters
And Backsplash
If your laminate counter is in need of an update, one way to avoid buying a new countertop is to paint the one you have. Popular finishes include marble and stone.
There are all-in-one kits available for both of these finishes, but with a little creativity you can do it without the kit. Regardless of which finish you choose, you will want to start by scuffing up the laminate surface.
You will also want to use a razor blade to remove any caulk that may exist, particularly around the sink.
A faux stone countertop is as easy as using stone-textured paint followed by several coats of clear polycrylic to seal everything in.
For a marble appearance, prime the scuffed surface with a black primer paint. Then, use a sea sponge to layer on lighter acrylic colors. Using some metallic paints will give the finished product the shimmery effect of natural marble.
Marble veins can be painted in using one of your darker paint colors. You can soften the veins by dabbing a touch of one of your lighter colors on top of the veins.
This should also be followed with several coats of clear polycrylic.
Counters can also be coated with resin for added durability.
Particularly with the marble design, it may be prudent to practice on a piece of scrap wood or cardboard before painting the entire counter.
A good tutorial can be found here: www.grandhome.wordpress.com/2014/08/19/faux-granite-counter-tops/.
Once your counters are dry, re-caulk the areas where you removed the caulking.
Tile backsplash can also be painted as long as it is scuffed and primed first.
If you want to add a pop of color to your tiles but don’t want to deal with popping out tiles, you can buy vinyl stickers that adhere to your existing tiles. These stickers can be ordered in a variety of styles and sizes from a number of online retailers, including from the artisan shop, Etsy.
When To Call Professionals
Mr. Carl said that if you come to a project that requires you to touch any electrical wiring, plumbing, or gas, you need to call in the experts.
“It’s actually illegal in Massachusetts to do your own plumbing and electrical,” he said.
In addition to being dangerous, people who aren’t licensed in those fields aren’t usually in the know when it comes to building codes.
He said that these projects could include installing a new countertop, installing brand-new cabinetry, and installing new lighting fixtures.
Since installing a new counter involves moving your kitchen sink, he said that homeowners at a minimum need to bring in a plumber. Most of his customers hire someone to install new countertops.
Removing and replacing existing cabinets creates a renovation project that would require a contractor who has knowledge of building code.
Mr. Carl said that older homes from the 1950s and ’60s have wiring that was insulated with cloth. When that old cloth is exposed, it disintegrates and leaves exposed, bare wires—which is dangerous.
“Legally, you need an electrician to change light fixtures,” he said. “You’re really not supposed to do it yourself.”
Any major renovations require a call to the pros, too.
“You have the right to pull your own building permit, but you’re responsible for keeping everything to code,” Mr. Carl said.
General contractors are able to coordinate with subcontractors to make sure that all of the work is done well and in line with building code.
If you plan to tackle kitchen projects, be sure that you are completing them safely and legally. Mr. Carl said that because of everything that goes into kitchens—electricity, gas, and plumbing—they are oftentimes the most complex room in the house.
Be sure to take advantage of your resources. There are scores of videos and tutorials online to help you along the way.
Most importantly, if you are ever unsure about a project or need advice, don’t be afraid to call a professional.