Rather than plan an expensive, total replacement of cabinets, think about having them refaced at up to half the cost in material and labor. In refacing, your service professional will remove cabinet doors, drawer fronts and hardware. A thin coat - generally about 1/4-inch - of wood is then wrapped around the remaining cabinet faces. This can be selected from a wide variety of veneers such as a wood grain, pure white or a favorite color or finish. Laminates are also available.

The new, matching cabinet doors, drawer fronts, and hardware are then installed to give the room a completely new look. Refacing may be a good idea for more extensive kitchen renovations as well. New countertops and flooring, combined with refaced cabinetry and snazzy new hardware can work wonders.

Refacing does not change the layout of the cabinets, however. But if you like the current cabinet arrangement, you might consider refacing existing cabinets and adding a few new ones to another spot in the room, or modernizing the interior of your cabinets with pull-out or swivel shelves.

In addition to providing new design options, refacing can greatly improve the durability of cabinets, adding years of life. And don't forget your bathrooms. Refacing cabinets and draws in those areas will provide dramatic changes for those spaces, too.

-- Tips courtesy of HomeAdvisor.com