Over time, cabinets can go through regular wear and tear just like any part of your home. With that said, it is important to have both preventative and regular care and repair for cabinets in your household. Whether you have wooden kitchen cabinets, or an antique bedroom armoire, it is important to maintain the longevity of your cabinets and storage areas. Maintenance and repairs are crucial to the well being of your cabinets. Refurbishing the appearance is also key.

There are many different ways to restore and repair minor cabinet issues, some of which are very do-it-yourself. One of these includes cabinet re-facing, which is the process of replacing cabinet knobs, doors, and occasionally drawers. A new veneer can replace all of the visible parts easily. Re-facing cabinets is very economical, even for smaller budgets, saving about half the money you would spend on getting new cabinets. It is also a great way to prevent waste in a time when resources are scarce, as keeping cabinets that are in otherwise good condition can be beneficial. Small modifications for re-facing allow you to conserve resources. Also, since most cabinets contain formaldehyde, by keeping old cabinets, you are able to keep this chemical out of the landfill, thus helping the environment. Re-facing is great because there are a variety of finishes on the market to completely revamp the look of older cabinets. New molding and trim, as well as glass can be added for a completely new look. Cabinet re-facing is a great way to spend minimal money to attain a new look from an old set of cabinets.

A common sign of wear and tear in cabinets are problems with cabinet door edges. Sometimes the lines of the doors need to be evened out for both function and appearance. In order to do this, cabinet hinges can be removed easily with a screwdriver. After the cabinet is placed on a smooth surface to work on, a ruler or string can be used to measure a straight edge. Then, a sander can be used to sand off the excess unevenness of the cabinet edge. If the edge is missing, replacement wood can be glued on and sanded down to create the appearance of even doors. Putty can then be used to fill in any of the gaps or seams. Finally, the finished product can be varnished or repainted to look brand new.

Another way to repair or refurbish old cabinets that have poor appearance is to use adhesive painted paper for cabinet doors. This paper, much like sticky wallpaper, is simple, inexpensive, and can truly change the entire look of cabinets. It comes in a variety of colors, prints, and styles that can truly enhance any room. Once the adhesive paper is picked out, it is important to precisely measure the cabinet door to ensure that the paper will fit the exact dimensions and look clean. After the cabinet is cleaned with mild soap and water, it can be smoothly sanded down. Apply the adhesive paper slowly, to ensure that there are no air bubbles. This is a great way to enhance any old cabinet's appearance quickly and easily.