12 ways to upgrade your kitchen

For a domestic person, a kitchen is not only a place where they cook food. This is a place for family lunches and dinners, a place to meet friends and family. All this means only one thing - the kitchen should not only be convenient for the hostess, but also attractive in appearance. Everyone has a value piece of furniture and decor, and even more so the kitchen. When cracks and spots appear on it, or when it ceases to correspond to the style of the kitchen and the tastes of the owners, many people think about buying a new headset. But is it always advisable to spend money on new furnitureif you can refine the existing? If the headset is still strong, outdated in size and layout, you can transform it yourself. Consider the most popular and effective ways to update your kitchen.

Self-adhesive film

This method of restoration of the kitchen has become truly popular, and all thanks to its many the benefits:

• vinyl film is inexpensive, so updating facades will not hit your pocket;
• the range of self-adhesive films is huge, you can find options with imitation wood of any breed, stone or leather. There are films with the image of landscapes, with interesting drawings, etc., with a smooth and embossed surface;
• almost everyone will cope with the installation of the film - it is enough to be careful during the measurement process and directly during the glue itself;
• vinyl film is not afraid of temperature extremes and moisture, which is very important for the kitchen. Caring for such a surface will be simple;
• if any part is damaged, or you want to change the situation again, the film can be removed simply enough.

The downside is the low durability of the film, only 3-4 years, but the low cost and ease of replacement smooth out this drawback.

Carrying out the process of pasting kitchen facades is quite simple. The main thing, Follow these guidelines:

• choose a film of a suitable color, taking into account preferences for a new one kitchen interior. It is not necessary to take material with imitation of wood - you can take a monophonic film of a light color, and then you can make a small kitchen bigger and make your dreams come true minimalist interior;
• it’s best to remove the kitchen facades - it will be easier to work. Accessories must be dismantled in any case;
• measure the parameters of each facade taken;
• the film must be glued to a clean, dry surface, i.e. facades must be carefully clean stains of grease and dirt. This can be done with a soap solution, or using a dishwashing detergent. After that, it is necessary to remove the remnants of detergents and wipe the facades dry;
• if the facades are seriously damaged, you will have to take some time to repair. The peeled off edges at the ends must be glued. The holes must be sanded, then filled acrylic puttyth, again sand and primer. If there are large potholes in the area, then it is better to glue a patch of plywood or veneer in their place;
• according to the measurements made it is necessary to cut the film. Experienced craftsmen recommend adding 4-5 cm of allowance in places where the film will be bent.If the film has a large pattern, then when cutting it is necessary to control that it is positioned correctly. It is better to cut with a clerical knife - so the edge will be as even and accurate as possible;
• take the first piece of film, begin to remove the protective layer of paper and attach the film with the adhesive side to the facade. Controlling the evenness, gradually peel off the protective layer and stick the film;
• you can roll the film with a rubber roller or a plastic scraper. This removes residual air. Smoothing is necessary from the center to the edges. If air bubbles remain, they can be punctured with a needle and again roll the surface with a roller;
• if suddenly you notice that somewhere the film is glued crookedly, then within 5-6 hours the situation can be corrected. The film can be re-glued, but not more often 1-2 times, since then the glue will simply lose its properties;
• when all the facades are glued, you can screw them back;
• You can use the old accessories, or you can replace it with a new one, which fits more into the updated style.

If the shelves are stained to such an extent that they are not taken by any detergent, then they can also be pasted over with a film. The principle of operation is the same. The film can be selected close to the original color of the shelves.

Facade replacement

Many believe that the facades glued with a film look somehow too modest. This is all, of course, a matter of taste and personal preferences, but it is difficult to radically change the kitchen with vinyl film, because glass inserts or panels cannot be added to the doors. To make serious changes to the kitchen interior, it is better to act radically and completely replace the facades. Yes, it will cost more than with a film, but still much cheaper than when buying a new headset. The method is excellent if the furniture frame is still strong enough and strong.

It will be easiest for owners modular furniture, which was bought relatively recently. Then you can buy the facades of the required size and replace them yourself. But it’s not so lucky, because you usually have to make facades to order. It’s not at all necessary to change wooden doors to wooden ones, and chipboard to chipboard. The uniqueness of this restoration method lies precisely in the fact that the appearance of the headset can be dramatically changed using completely different materials.

The cheapest option is facades made of chipboard or plastic. MDF and wood will cost more. You can choose accessories and jewelry, for example, use glass inserts, but all this will affect the price. Craftsmen with hands, of course, can make all the facades on their own. If you have woodworking skills, then why not? But much moremore quickly and contact a specialized companywhich will make facades for your headset.

Repair of kitchen facades in Moscow

Residents of Moscow and the region recommend the company "Kitchen Repair", which has been working for over 20 years and specializes in the repair of kitchen facades. Experienced specialists can replace facades or repair existing ones due to painting, enamel coating or film gluing. Among the services of the company are also repairing accessories and replacing countertops. All work is carried out at the facility, measurements are preliminarily carried out, design and estimate are coordinated, the required headset elements are made of the desired material. All work is guaranteed.

An example of the work of the company "Kitchen Repair"

Dyeing

The method is quite simple, but requires careful preparation of the surface. The main advantage of the method is the ability to paint the facade in any color. If you want to make the kitchen bolder, you can choose a bright shade, for example, blue, green or orange. A win-win color is white, as well as many light shades, including beige, gray, cream, etc. Imagine in advance what the kitchen will look like and start your creativity.

At the same time as painting the facades, they can be slightly transformed using moldings, special strips that stick to the surface and give it an interesting relief.

The sequence of actions is as follows:

• remove the facades from the headset, dismantle the fittings and glass. Those elements that are difficult to remove can be sealed with masking tape;
• old varnish or paint is most convenient to remove using a grinding machine. If PVC film was used as a decor, then it is better to apply building hair dryer. The temperature will melt the film and make it easier to remove. It is better to work in a respirator so that small particles of the facade and the pungent odor of PVC do not get into the respiratory tract;
• in the presence of serious damage, they must be filled with putty, and then sanded;
• the surface is rubbed sandpaper, then dust is removed, degreasing is carried out;
• if you plan to use moldingsthen they are attached at this stage. You can choose even or textured planks, there are products that imitate stucco molding. It is better to grind the slats in advance, then they are cut into pieces of the required size. Often moldings are fastened along the contour of the doors, or they form a pattern closer to the center from them. Usually use the dock at an angle of 45 degrees. After you have made sure that the figure is laid out evenly, the elements are glued, you can use glue for wooden products. It is allowed to use nails without caps;
• MDF, particleboard and wood absorb moisture well, therefore it is better to pre-cover them primer. The one that is designed for woodwork will do. It is better to apply two layers;
• now you can start staining. Use better acrylic paint or enamel. The first is cheaper, the second is better in terms of moisture resistance and resistance to mechanical damage. You can apply brush, roller or spray gun. Paint is applied in 2-3 layers depending on the desired color saturation. To guarantee, some masters cover the facades with a layer of transparent varnish;
• when the paint dries, the masking tape is removed, the hardware returns to the place, and the facades themselves are hung on the hinges.

If staining seems to you too banal, then use in work glizal, translucent glossy paint. It is applied in exactly the same way as acrylic paint, but while the coating dries, an interesting texture can be created on the surface. With a sponge, bag or other improvised items, you can make a geometric pattern or an ornate pattern. If anything, part of the picture can be removed with a roller. The result is an unusual result that will appeal to lovers of ethnic style.

Varnishing

Option will do only for facades made of solid wood. Varnish allows you to reliably protect wood and at the same time does not hide its chic natural look. When it comes to furniture, nitrocellulose, alkyd-urea, polyurethane, epoxy and polyester are used. varnishes. It is important that the varnish protects the wood from moisture and high temperature. Varnishes differ in a not very pleasant smell, therefore it is better to carry out all work on the street. If this is not possible, then it is better to take water-based material, it is almost odorless.

It is very important to decide in advance glossy. The varnish can be glossy, which will add visual volume to the headset, or it can be matte, which emphasizes the pattern of the tree. The degree of gloss is indicated on the package as a percentage of reflected light: glossy varnish will reflect up to 90% of the light, matte - only 10%, there are a lot of intermediate options. Which is better depends only on your preferences.

The procedure is as follows:

• remove the facades, dismantle the fittings, if necessary, seal some parts with masking tape;
• remove the old layer of varnish, you can use sandpaper. Dust is best removed with a vacuum cleaner.After finishing work, the surface is wiped with a damp rag, then it is allowed to dry thoroughly;
• apply a primer;
• varnish is applied with a brush or roller, it is better that each new layer is slightly thinner than the previous;
• with some types of varnish you need to work only on the street;
• drying speed - different for different varnishes, the average figure is indicated on the package;
• after drying, the adhesive tape is removed, the hardware returns to the place.

To create aging effect, you can apply a stain in several layers.

Hardware Update

All of us have repeatedly heard about the enormous influence of little things, but many, however, refuse to believe in the truth of this statement. Designers, without a doubt, convince us that sometimes changing handles on a kitchen unit can transform the kitchen space. More often, the replacement of accessories is carried out along with the updating or replacement of facades.

It happens that the kitchen set itself was perfectly preserved, and the handles from constant interaction with them became peeling, tarnished, or even deformed in places. Take off your old hardware and head to a specialty store where you can choose from a ton of a wide variety of handles. The main thing is that the size matches and does not have to drill new holes.

If the old handles fit perfectly into the style of the kitchen, then you can find the most similar to the new ones. If you want something fresh, or the kitchen facade, after some simple manipulations, has become completely unrecognizable, then pick up pens in a new style. The range of manufacturers includes handles in a modern and classic style, smooth chrome and antique carved. There are pens with imitation of leaves and animals, there are inlaid with glass and stones. There are wooden, plastic and metal, transparent and colored - everyone can choose the right one.

Maybe, hinges and mechanisms of traveling shelves need to be replaced. Before going to the store, these elements should be dismantled and taken with you as a sample. New loops are matched to the size of the previous ones. It happens that the existing holes are very loose, and it is impossible to attach new loops to them. Then they will have to be puttied with an acrylic-based compound in the color of the facade, sanded, varnished or painted, and only then drill new holes and put the purchased loops. Old roller mechanisms can be replaced with ball mechanisms. All these actions give a huge result - using the headset becomes more pleasant and comfortable.

Glass replacement

As a rule, glass inserts in the facades are easy enough to wash well to return them to their original ideal appearance. But what if you want something new? You can replace the existing transparent glass with frosted or colored, then the kitchen will noticeably change. True, the glasses will have to be made to order, and not everyone will cope with the replacement itself.

More budget option - buy self adhesive film. With its help, you can give the glass the desired shade without depriving them of their transparency. It will help create a haze effect or simulate the most real stained glass window. Anyone who knows how to use tape measure or a centimeter tape, scissors and is able to accurately make a stick can cope with the sticking of the film.

There is still an old grandfather's method, which involves applying a mixture of chalk powder and silicate glue to the glass. In two layers, this material is applied to the glass, after which they become dull.

Decoupage kitchen facades

Decoupage is a great way to upgrade your kitchen and give it a touch of styleprovence. After the transformation, the facades will look as if talented artists painted them for you, but you will know that you made all this beauty with your own hands.On cabinets and shelves you can put absolutely any picture, but usually they choose something related to plant and kitchen topics: images of fruits and vegetables, coffee, jars with spices and cereals, flowers, etc. Decoupage will help to decorate the facades with ornaments in the style of Gzhel or Petrikov painting. The main thing is to find a suitable picture - no one limits your imagination.

Everyone will be able to cope with the restoration of facades independently:

• remove all doors, remove accessories;
• If the surface of the headset is perfectly flat and smooth, then it is enough to wash it well to get rid of stains of grease and dirt. If there are defects, it is better to sand the surface. First use fine-grained, and then coarse sandpaper. If you have a grinder at your disposal, it will greatly simplify the process. In the presence of cracks, cavities, pits, it is better to fill them with putty. When it dries, the treated areas are again sanded. After this, the facades can be primed, but many skip this stage;
• Decoupage technique is suitable not only for wood, particleboard and MDF - it can also be used to decorate plastic as well as glass facades. Preparing them for decoration is very simple - just get rid of all the dirt and grease;
• The easiest way to use three-layer napkins for decoupage. Think in advance in which part of the facade the drawing will be located. Do not use images that are too small. Different cabinets can be decorated with pictures in the same style. The image can be glued to ordinary PVA glue;
• now it remains to open the facade with acrylic varnish, it is better to use 3-4 layers, each is applied after the previous one has completely dried. The easiest way to work is with a narrow brush with a long bristle;
• it remains to return to the place of fittings and mount the facades.

If this is not your first decoupage job, then you can use not only special napkins. Experienced craftsmen know that fragments of wallpaper with a suitable pattern, and even a maple for the kitchen table, are suitable, not to mention the fact that the image you like can be printed on a printer.

Ceramic tile decoration

After repair, almost everyone has the remains of the tile. A lot of material for this method is not needed, because even buying new tile won't hit the budget. Of course, not all facades are laid with tiles. A fragment with a beautiful pattern can be glued in the center. It can be one tile or four smaller tiles, laid out in the form of a square or rhombus. Fine tiles can be laid out the contours of the cabinets. Often this decoration is used to decorate the lower or upper edge of the headset. The image on the tile should correspond to the overall style of the kitchen.

The principle of operation is as follows:

• it is better to remove the facades, dismantle the accessories;
• at a minimum, the surface must be washed and degreased with an alcohol-containing compound. If desired, the facade can be painted, guided by the tips described above;
• attach the tiles to the surface in advance, determine the ideal place for them, it is better to carefully circle them with a pencil;
• cook tile adhesive, apply to the facade and start gluing the tiles. The principle is almost no different from the usual tile installation, only glue will be needed so that it can hold the tile on a wooden (or other) facade;
• when everything dries, you can frame the tile with a molding to make the decor look finished.

Decoration with rattan inserts

The principle is the same as with ceramic tiles. Rattan inserts will be appropriate to look with ethnic and eco-style. Rattan copes with the effects of moisture, so it is well suited for the kitchen. It can be used to replace glass inserts along with large-scale restoration of facades. Rattan inserts can be glued over deaf lockers. A variety of weaving and the presence of several shades will allow you to choose the appropriate insertion option.

Working with rattan is simple:

• a fragment of the desired shape and size is cut out, you can use a pruner or scissors for metal;
• a segment can be attached to the facade with a stapler;
• wooden planks pre-treated with an antiseptic are mounted around the perimeter of the insert. You can use glue;
• with rattan, the main thing is not to overdo it - small inserts on the largest cabinets will be enough to make the necessary notes in the interior.

The use of chintz

Fabric decor is rarely used, because this is your chance to make the kitchen unique. You will need a piece of fabric with a suitable pattern, and then everything is simple:

• the beginning, as always, is to dismantle the facades and fittings;
• lockers are measured, fabric is cut out and glued to previously washed and degreased facades;
• the facades are covered with colorless varnish in 5-7 layers, it will protect the fabric from moisture, grease and odors;
• it remains to return the furniture to its place, and you can buy new, more suitable handles;
• an interesting effect can be achieved if from the same fabric make a lampshade for a lamp, or to sew chair covers.

What else is used to update kitchen facades?

The imagination of home masters knows no bounds, and folk savvy generated a lot of interesting non-trivial ideas on how to refine the old kitchen facade. For this, the following materials are used:

• vinyl stickers, the range of which amazes even experienced designers. Solid boring facades can be decorated with animal figures, world landmarks or inspirational phrases. Gluing and removing such decor is very simple;
• sea ​​pebbles and mosaic glued on the principle of ceramic tiles, allow you to create interesting decorative effects;
• wooden decor. There are ready-made sets for children's creativity, but wooden figures with the skill can also be cut independently. It remains only to open them with varnish and stick to the facades. This decor looks best on wooden facades.

How to update the kitchen countertop?

Refresh the facades and leave the countertop unattended - this means not to finish the job. Countertop - the most vulnerable part of the kitchen, because its surface is constantly exposed to drops of water and fat, mechanical stress, high temperature. Particle boards made of chipboard, as a rule, suffer first, and when the facade looks even more or less normal, the working surface leaves much to be desired.

What can you do yourself to update the kitchen worktop? There are several options:

• stick vinyl tape. The option is not very durable, but simple;
• spend varnishing - a method for wooden countertops;
• painting carried out according to the principles described above;
• tilingand usually use tiles in the color of the one that is lined kitchen apron. The tile is easy to clean, not afraid of moisture and high temperature, relatively easy to install. The weight of the headset, however, will increase significantly. If the frame is weak, then it can not stand it. Start work by fixing a metal corner around the perimeter of the countertop. The tile is laid on ordinary tile adhesive, the gaps are minimized. The glue dries quickly, so it’s better not to cover the entire countertop at once. It remains only to wipe the seams and open the tile with a protective layer of varnish. Similarly work with mosaic;
• tempered glass finishunder which you can use anything: sand and small pebbles, coins, pieces of corks, bottle caps for drinks, a printed image of a beach, forest or some kind of pattern. Glass is seated on glue and firmly protects the entire decor from negative influences.

If the countertop is still in good condition, but there is only one or two noticeable flaws (for example, burned spots or places from a knife strike), you can local repair. The defective place is carefully treated with a milling cutter, so that as a result, a recess is obtained like a quarry.It is filled with putty on wood in the color of the countertop, the material is added in portions, well tamped, the excess removed with a knife. The processed place is polished, polished and painted. If you can accurately repeat the color or pattern of the countertop, the repair location will be inconspicuous. When everything is really bad with the countertop, it is better to produce it complete replacementturning to professionals.

By combining the methods described above, you can do it yourself so transform the kitchen that all guests will think that you bought new furniture. If you combine this transformation with cosmetic repairs in the kitchen, then the result will be impressive at all.