Whether you simply want to update the look of your kitchen or are planning a complete makeover or remodel, deciding what you want to do with your cabinets is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. Not only do they define the look of the kitchen, but HGTV.com reports that new cabinets typically account for about 50 percent of the budget for a kitchen renovation. While you may be tempted to cut the cost by keeping the ones you have, there are a few things to consider that can help you make up your mind.

How old is your kitchen? If you or the previous owner haven’t updated the kitchen in recent years, it’s quite likely that everything in the kitchen is roughly the same age as the house. If everything in the kitchen is 10 years old or older, the next question to ask yourself is whether the cabinets will last at least another 10 years. Since most new countertops are made from materials that have at least that useful life, you don’t want to have to invest even more money down the road when the cabinets are no longer useful.

Do you like the design of your old kitchen? Since there is usually a lot of wasted space in older cabinets (particularly in the corners), updating everything in the kitchen at once gives you the opportunity to optimize the space for more space and create the kitchen of your dreams. Whether you want more drawers, a lazy Susan, or framed glass doors to display your favorite dishes, you can create a design that suits your tastes rather than whoever built the house.

What condition are your cabinets in? Are the hanging doors crooked or not aligned correctly with each other? Do the drawers stick when you open them? What are they made of? If pressboard has been used, the drawers will generally be held together with staples or glue. While pressboard initially starts to look shiny and new, it tends to start to look less attractive as it wears down with use. However, if everything is made of solid wood, they are generally built to last. One way to identify if your cabinets are made of wood is to look at one of the drawers. If it’s wood, you will most likely see dovetail joinery in the corners.

Are you replacing the countertop and sink? If money allows, it is generally better to go ahead and do a complete remodel that includes the cabinets rather than updating part of the kitchen now and part of the kitchen later. When money is a factor, you may find that it is more profitable in the long run to replace everything, but perhaps use a less expensive countertop during your remodel. Then you can take it out and replace it with a more expensive one later when your budget allows.