The kitchen is known as the heart of the home, but does yours need reviving? There are many ways to completely change the look of this busy room just by changing the cabinets. If your cabinets are sturdy, but could use a decorative face lift here are three ideas to try.

Painted Cabinets!

Painting cabinets is a cheap and fun project. Start by wiping them clean. You can either remove them completely from their frames, or paint them right where they hang. Begin with 1 – 2 coats of a stain covering primer, especially if your cabinets are dark. There are several excellent products on the market today that don’t require initial sanding, are low-odor, and provide easy clean up. Check out your local hardware store for product comparisons.

After priming, apply 2 base coats and 2 coats of protective sealer. You can fancy up your paint job with different techniques like sponging, ragging, or even marbling. There are tools and kits available for all of these techniques. You can also try splattering, stenciling, painting free hand designs or tracing a design and filling in with paint. Paint the frames one color and the cabinet doors another for a nice contrast.

Decoupage Cabinets!

Decoupaging kitchen cabinets is a very easy technique. All you need is some wallpaper paste or watered down white glue. Cut out fabric or paper for your decoupage design. Brush glue onto the back and then position it onto the cabinets where you want it. After it has adhered, spread the glue across the front. Follow-up with several coats of clear, non-yellowing varnish. Lightly sand between coats. The more varnish you apply, the more “depth” your decoupage will appear to have. Never use a foam brush, as it will cause bubbling.

Mosaic Cabinets!

Gather some broken tiles, plates or glass. Roughen up the surface of each cabinet for “tooth” so your pieces will adhere easier. It’s also better if your cabinets are removed and laid flat for this technique, so the tiles don’t “slip” as you apply them. Glue broken bits to the cabinet in either a planned or random fashion – it’s really up to you. After 24 hours, apply grout mixed with a waterproof additive. Wait one week, and protect your artwork with a stain-proof grout sealer.

Everything you need for these ideas can be found at a local hardware or craft store. These techniques are easy and fairly inexpensive. You can even mix and match methods for added detail and texture: decoupage the frames, paint the cabinet face, and mosaic a design in the middle. Voila! The result of your creativity is an inexpensively transformed kitchen. Not only will this room be a place to hang out and talk with family and friends, but your artistic touches will have created a room that in itself will be a conversation piece for years to come.