DIY Network

Kitchen Makeovers Check out these tips for updating your kitchen with the best ideas and products for cabinets, countertops and sinks. From "Today Show Tips" episode DTST-121

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Paint Projects in the Kitchen

If your kitchen needs a fresh, new look, you can start with some easy projects that don't cost much money. Paint the walls with a bright, cheery color; semi-gloss is definitely best finish for the kitchen. The space will look instantly bigger and cleaner — and much brighter.

Focusing on just one upgrade at a time makes the job a whole lot easier. Learn about some changes you can make yourself to improve your cabinets, countertops and hardware.

Cabinetry can be repainted inside and out for a brand-new look, even if it has laminate surfaces. Or you can re-laminate them.

1. Start by removing the doors and drawers from the cabinets. Clean the surfaces thoroughly with trisodium phosphate (TSP), a detergent you can get at the hardware store.

2. Sand the cabinets to give the new paint something to hold onto. (If you're dealing with laminate, be sure to remove all the dust. Apply a coat of bonding primer with a small roller, and let it dry overnight. If the cabinets are wood, use a primer-sealer.)

3. Paint the cabinets with three thin coats of paint, letting each coat dry for four hours before applying the next. Oil-based paint with a gloss will be easier to clean down the road.

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4. When you go to replace the doors and drawers, add new knobs and pulls.

Another option is to have professionals re-face the cabinets for you. They leave the existing cabinets in place, but replace the doors and add a laminate to the boxes. If your cabinets are good quality, this is a cost-effective option; it will save you about two-thirds the cost of replacing the cabinets.

Or just remove the doors of the upper cabinets and leave the shelves exposed. That will make the entire kitchen look more open.

Countertops can be updated without too much trouble or expense, too. If you have laminate, you can just put new laminate right on top of the old. Put contact cement on both of the surfaces. Lay thin dowels across the counter, and carefully position the new laminate over them. Then pull the dowels out and smooth the laminate in place. You can use a router to create a professional-looking edge on the counter.

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