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Homeowner Danette Richards has lived in her 1927 bungalow for over 20 years. While the house has plenty of curb appeal, the kitchen hasn’t been updated since before she moved in and is in need of a new look.

We started by removing the old countertops and sink, along with the damaged cabinets around the stove. New custom cabinets for the wall around the stove were joined together and leveled before being attached to the wall.

Kitchen before budget makeover.
Kitchen before budget makeover.

Kitchen Cabinet Update

The old cabinets were cleaned to remove any grease and grime, and the mounting holes from the old hardware filled with two-part auto body filler. An orbital sander was then used to smooth the cabinets and dull the gloss on the old finish so the new paint will adhere.

To dress up the plain plywood cabinet doors, molding was mitered and applied to the face using construction adhesive and brad nails. Watch our video on Applying Molding to Cabinet Doors to find out how.

Installing new kitchen cabinet over stove.
Installing new kitchen cabinet over stove.

The cabinets were spray painted (Glidden DUO, GLC24 Muslin White) with a Wagner FLEXiO 590 sprayer. This high volume low pressure (HVLP) sprayer produces less overspray than standard air compressor sprayers.

For best coverage when spraying, make slow, consistent passes over the surface you’re painting with each pass overlapping by about 50%.

Watch our video on Tips for Painting Kitchen Cabinets and read our article on How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets to find out more.

New hinges were installed on the freshly painted cabinet doors using a gauge block to mark the location so the hinges are consistently spaced. When hanging cabinet doors, make sure they are even and square with the cabinets.

Watch Replacing Kitchen Cabinet Hardware to find out more.

Plastic laminate kitchen countertop.
New plastic laminate kitchen countertop, sink, and faucet.

Kitchen Countertops

After the walls had been painted (Glidden DUO, GLC32, White Sage), the new Formica plastic laminate countertops (Santa Cecilia Gold, 3452-46), stainless sink, and Moen Walden pullout faucet (Model# 87045MSRS) were installed.

Titebond PROvantage construction adhesive was used to secure the countertops to the cabinets and backsplash to the wall.

Watch How to Install Plastic Laminate Countertops and Removing and Installing Plastic Laminate Countertops to find out more.

Kitchen range hood.
New kitchen range hood.

Range Hood

A new Broan under cabinet mounted range hood (model# QP330WW) was installed above the stove and vented outside through the roof.

The quiet, four-speed blower on the range hood can move up to 450 cubic feet of air per minute (CFM), while built-in heat and light sensors can turn the fan and lights on as needed.

Half curtains for the kitchen windows were assembled using heat activated adhesive tape which requires no sewing.

Kitchen after makeover.
Kitchen after budget makeover with refinished cabinets and new countertops.

Other Tips from This Episode

Inserting tube in container of liquid soap.

Simple Solutions with Joe Truini:
Filling Soap Dispensers

To make refilling sink mounted soap dispensers easy, remove the soap bottle and attach a piece of 1/4″ diameter flexible rubber tubing to the fill tube on the soap dispenser pump. Insert the other end of the tube in a large container of liquid soap. (Watch Video)

Pivoting Cabinet Mounted Trash Can

Best New Products with Jodi Marks:
Pivoting Cabinet Mounted Trash Can

The Real Solutions, 32-quart, trash can from Knape & Vogt mounts inside the cabinet and swings out automatically when the door is opened. It can be mounted on most frameless and face frame style cabinets. The Knape & Vogt pivot out trash can is available at The Home Depot. (Watch Video)

Using a plunger to unclog a kitchen sink drain.

Ask Danny Lipford:
Unclogging Sink Drains

Rather than using chemical cleaners to unclog a drain, try using a drain snake to remove hair from bathroom drains. Use a plunger to clear kitchen drains clogged with grease and food. Cover one of the drains on double sinks before plunging to increase the pressure. After the drain is clear, run hot water. (Watch Video)

Editorial Contributors
avatar for Danny Lipford

Danny Lipford

Founder

Danny Lipford is a home improvement expert and television personality who started his remodeling business, Lipford Construction, at the age of 21 in Mobile, Alabama. He gained national recognition as the host of the nationally syndicated television show, Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, which started as a small cable show in Mobile. Danny's expertise in home improvement has also led him to be a contributor to popular magazines and websites and the go-to source for advice on everything related to the home. He has made over 200 national television appearances and served as the home improvement expert for CBS's The Early Show and The Weather Channel for over a decade. Danny is also the founder of 3 Echoes Content Studio, TodaysHomeowner.com, and Checking In With Chelsea, a décor and lifestyle blog.

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