Look, I get it. You’re staring at your kitchen cabinets right now thinking “these things have seen better days.” Maybe the color’s looking a bit… tired? Or those fingerprints just won’t come off anymore no matter how hard you scrub.
Here’s the thing about kitchen cabinets – they’re like the workhorses of your home. They get opened and closed about 50 times a day (seriously, count it sometime). So yeah, they’re gonna need some TLC eventually.
## **The Real Answer? It Depends**
I know, I know. Not the answer you wanted. But stick with me here.
Most folks in Melbourne end up resurfacing their kitchen cabinets every **10-15 years**. But that’s if you’re taking decent care of them. If you’ve got kids who think cabinet doors are jungle gyms, or if you’re the type who cooks three meals a day… you might be looking at more like 7-10 years.
## **Signs It’s Time for a Refresh**
Forget the calendar for a sec. Your cabinets will tell you when they need help:
– **The finish is peeling** (especially around the handles where everyone grabs)
– **Water damage** near the sink area
– **They just look… blah** compared to the rest of your updated kitchen
– **Doors don’t close properly** anymore
– **You’re embarrassed** when guests come over
That last one? Yeah, that’s usually the real trigger.
## **Why Not Just Replace Everything?**
Because holy moly, have you seen the price of new kitchens lately? We’re talking $20,000+ easy. And that’s before you even pick out the fancy handles.
Resurfacing though? That’s where you can be smart about it. The guys at FixNow (they’re local here in Melbourne) can basically give your existing cabinets a complete makeover. New doors, new finish, maybe some soft-close hinges while they’re at it. Boom – looks like a brand new kitchen for about a third of the price.
## **The Different Lifespans**
Okay so here’s where it gets interesting:
**Laminate cabinets:** 10-15 years before they start looking rough
**Painted cabinets:** 5-10 years (sorry, but paint chips)
**Vinyl wrapped:** 10-12 years if you’re lucky
**Solid timber:** These bad boys can go 20+ years with just a sand and re-stain
## **Making Them Last Longer**
Want to push that resurfacing date back a few years? Here’s what actually works:
– Wipe up spills immediately (water is the enemy)
– Use gentle cleaners, not that harsh stuff
– Fix loose hinges before they wreck the whole door
– Keep the kitchen ventilated when cooking (steam = bad news)
But let’s be real – life happens. Kids happen. That time you tried to make jam and it exploded everywhere happens.
## **The Bottom Line**
If your cabinets are functioning fine but just look dated, resurfacing is your best bet. It’s like getting a facelift instead of reconstructive surgery. Same bones, fresh face.
And timing-wise? Most Melbourne kitchens hit that “I need help” stage around the 10-year mark. But some of you neat freaks might stretch it to 15. And some of you… well, let’s just say I’ve seen 25-year-old cabinets that needed intervention about 10 years ago.
The smart move? Get someone like the FixNow crew to come take a look when you start noticing issues. They’ll tell you straight if you can get away with just resurfacing or if you need something more serious. No point throwing money at a lost cause, but also no point living with ugly cabinets when a resurface could sort you out for another decade.
Your kitchen is where life happens. Where midnight snacks happen. Where arguments about who’s doing the dishes happen. It deserves to look good while all that’s going on, yeah?