By Kristie Brown

Are your old kitchen cabinets looking outdated and tacky? Worse than that, are they battered beyond repair? You probably already know that it’s going to be necessary to rip out the old cabinets and replace them with something more sturdy, but you just can’t justify the high cost of brand new cabinets. It could be that you’re looking to replace cabinets in a rental property or at a lake home and don’t want to spend thousands and thousands of dollars on fancy cabinets, too. You’ll find that even open stock models don’t come cheap. You can, however, look for used kitchen cabinets which can be refinished and hung for a fraction of the cost.

You might wonder where you can find used cabinets, and the answer is everywhere. If you have a salvage yard nearby, they are sure to get in used cabinets that people have removed from their kitchens. Since their inventory will change all the time, you’ll probably have to keep watch until the type of cabinets you’re looking for come in. There are times when you’ll be able to purchase high-end cabinetry in like-new condition that someone has removed from their home in order to redecorate. If you can find their old cabinets, you’re really in luck, because you may be able to install them in your own house without any refinishing being necessary.

Craigslist is another place where you can sometimes find used kitchen cabinets. When people remodel, they would rather not pay the cost for having their old cabinets hauled away. Instead, they stick them in the garage or basement and then advertise them for sale, either really cheap, or even free if all they’re looking for is someone to haul them away. The great thing about Craigslist is that you can find listings in nearby areas, so you won’t have to drive a long way to pick up anything you find. In addition, you can look farther away if you like and check into having the cabinets shipped to you. Naturally, the most cost effective way to get new cabinets is by finding them free and hauling them yourself.

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Countertops play an important role in your kitchen. You want them to be functional, withstanding accidental knife cuts and too hot pans, and beautiful at the same time, as you tend to see so much of them. The better the countertop, the higher the value of your kitchen and your home. Granite is a huge favorite for an upscale look nowadays. However, as people become more and more environmentally conscious some are looking at other options.