Kitchen cabinets are a large investment in the look and function of your kitchen. But eventually, cabinet doors get chipped or become outdated, and you may be tempted to tear the whole thing out and start fresh. Before you do that, however, consider kitchen cabinet refacing.
When considering cabinet refacing vs. replacement, refacing refers to removing the existing cabinet doors and replacing them with new ones while keeping the cabinet boxes in place. This strategy for a kitchen refresh offers a lot of benefits and is a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to a full remodel.
This guide will walk you through the process to design, order, and install custom cabinet doors. We’ll look at the tools and materials you’ll need as well as lay out a full step-by-step DIY refacing process.
Kitchen cabinet refacing uses the existing cabinet boxes but replaces doors, hinges, and hardware to create a fresh look without the cost and hassle of a full cabinet replacement. Because the doors are the most visible part of the cabinet, new doors deliver the biggest visual impact, transforming the overall appearance of the kitchen while retaining the functional structure underneath.
Refacing also differs from refinishing, which involves removing the existing finish of the current doors and applying a new one. Choosing custom cabinet doors for refacing rather than refinishing your current cabinets reduces the amount of labor required to create a refreshed kitchen. Custom cabinet doors can fit the existing style of your home or even guide it towards a new style, depending on the door style, frame profile, and color. To refresh the cabinet face frame for inset or partial overlay doors, you can also apply wood veneer or paint it to match the new doors.
If you want to refresh your space by refacing your kitchen cabinets, the first step is to make sure that the cabinet boxes are still in good condition.
Here are a few signs that a full cabinet replacement might be needed:
Refacing is a good option for:
Kitchen cabinet refacing offers a number of benefits over a full cabinet replacement project:
Cabinet refacing usually costs between $1,000 and $10,000, with a national average around $7,000. You can save quite a bit of money by refacing cabinets on your own, which can free up some room in the budget to invest in custom cabinet doors.
The actual cost will depend on the number of cabinet doors you order, the style, and the finish. Stock cabinet doors will cost less, but there’s less design flexibility. Custom doors will cost more, but you’ll have the ability to order custom sizes and frame profiles.
For the most part, DIY cabinet refacing only requires basic tools that you probably already have, with the possible exception being a Forstner drill bit or concealed hinge jig.
Tools:
Materials:
Learning how to reface kitchen cabinets yourself requires careful planning, measurement, and installation. Accurate measurements are incredibly important because the success of the project depends on the doors fitting the cabinets properly.
Before you install your new custom cabinet doors, you have to remove the existing ones, along with drawer fronts and all hinges. If you’re reusing the existing hardware, make sure to store it along with the corresponding screws in a safe place. You can label the hinges with a piece of painter’s tape to remember which cabinet they came from. If you’re replacing your drawer boxes but want to reuse the hardware, remove the drawer slides carefully and set them aside.
New doors will only work well on clean, well-prepped cabinet boxes. After you remove the old doors and hardware, clean the cabinet face frames or boxes with a degreaser and sand any rough areas. Make any minor repairs, such as filling in gouges and dents.
Finally, check to make sure the boxes are square by using a speed square in each corner. If they’re not, you can use a clamp to gently shift the box until it is. To make sure the cabinet boxes match the finish of the new doors, you can apply self-stick wood veneer to the face frames or paint them to match the new doors.
Before you order your new doors, you’ll need to take accurate measurements. First, determine if you have inset or overlay cabinets and then measure for the cabinet doors. Calculating the correct overlay is critical for determining the proper hinge application.
For example, a partial overlay with 1” of exposed face frame will use a ½” concealed overlay hinge. Custom made doors require precise measurements, and getting these right helps you avoid uneven gaps or misaligned doors that often result from poor measurement.
Some cabinet doors come stained or painted and ready to install. If you’ve chosen unfinished doors, now is the time to apply the finish. In a well-ventilated area, apply the paint or stain and allow each coat to dry fully before applying the next one. For painted doors, make sure you’re applying two coats of primer before any finish paint colors.
Once the doors arrive, the first step is to install the hinges. Carefully mark the location of each hinge on the door and cabinet box, and then follow the manufacturer’s instructions to predrill the hinge cup holes on the door using a template if provided. Attach the hinge plates firmly to the cabinet box. Aligning the hinges correctly can be trickier than it seems and often takes some practice for DIYers to get right. Go slow on the first couple to get the hang of it, and then the process should speed up a bit.
Once the concealed hinges are installed on the door and the mounting plate is installed in the cabinet box, all you have to do is clip them together.
When all the doors and drawer fronts are attached, step back and look at the reveals around the edges and gaps between the doors. Using a screwdriver, level, and spacing blocks, make adjustments to the hinges to move the cabinet doors into the right position. Swing the cabinet doors a few times to make sure they don’t rub on each other and that they open and close smoothly.
If you’re having trouble getting them aligned or they’re rubbing on another part of the cabinet, continue adjusting the hinge until it’s no longer an issue. If you can’t get it adjusted enough, you may have to remove the door and reposition the hinge.
Your cabinet makeover isn’t complete until you do the finishing touches. Take a step back and look at the cabinets as a whole to see if any doors need adjustment or if there are any rough spots that need a final gentle sanding. Finally, install the hardware on the doors and drawers and then install any trim or molding for a clean finish.
Understanding the difference between cabinet refacing, replacement, and refinishing can help you decide which option best fits your project.
Cabinet replacement removes both the cabinet boxes and the doors. Contractors choose this option when the cabinets are significantly damaged or when remodeling the entire kitchen. The main benefit of full cabinet replacement is that you get to choose the cabinet style, box material, and door style, as well as select the interior configuration. The downside is that this is the most expensive and time-consuming option.
Cabinet refinishing updates your kitchen by changing the color or stain of your existing doors while keeping both the cabinet boxes and the doors. This gives the cabinets a fresh look, but doesn’t allow for style changes or many of the other benefits of new doors. It also requires more labor, including sanding, repairing dents, patching holes, and applying new coats of paint or stain.
Cabinet refacing, also known as cabinet door replacement, replaces the cabinet doors and drawer fronts while keeping the cabinet boxes. Refacing kitchen cabinets with new doors is a more sustainable, cost-effective, and faster way to refresh your kitchen than cabinet replacement. If your cabinets are in good condition, you can update the style without altering the layout or dealing with a longer installation timeline.
Custom-made doors offer elevated results and superior craftsmanship when compared with stock cabinet doors. For a basic project with a small budget, stock cabinet doors may be the best choice. However, for projects that need more design flexibility or higher-quality materials and have the budget to accommodate the higher cost, custom doors are ideal.
|
Feature |
Stock Cabinet Doors |
Custom Cabinet Doors |
|
Sizing |
Limited to standard, pre-set sizes |
Made-to-order sizes for precise fit |
|
Design Flexibility |
Fewer style and profile options |
Full flexibility in style, profile, and finish |
|
Material Quality |
Varies; often lower-grade or engineered materials |
Higher-grade hardwoods and construction |
|
Cost |
More budget-friendly |
Higher cost but better long-term value |
|
Fit & Finish |
May require compromise due to limited sizes |
Exact sizing ensures cleaner alignment and reveals |
|
Best For |
Budget projects with standard layouts |
Projects needing elevated craftsmanship and tailored design |
Before you go all in on a refacing project, take some time to consider the following:
While this is a doable DIY job, it also takes a lot of planning and precise measuring. If you don’t want to spend time double-checking measurements, repairing cabinet boxes, or adjusting hinges and would rather just enjoy a beautifully updated kitchen, then hiring a pro is the way to go.
In order to keep your newly refaced cabinets lasting as long as possible, routine maintenance is important to keep in mind. You should clean them regularly with mild soap and water and make sure the hinges are tight. Solid wood and MDF cabinets perform best in a climate-controlled environment to avoid excess humidity, which causes the wood to swell. Chips and nicks can happen over time as the cabinets are used daily. You can use a touch-up kit that matches the finish to fill in any chips or gouges to maintain the refaced finish.
DIY cabinet refacing can breathe new life into your kitchen without the cost and hassle of a full cabinet replacement. Custom doors transform your kitchen even more, giving it a new personalized look with quality materials and quality results.
Eagle Woodworking delivers custom dovetail drawers and cabinet doors built to spec and delivered fast. When you’re ready to start your cabinet refacing project, check out our easy online ordering system for custom cabinet doors to complete your kitchen refresh.
The physical work of replacing cabinet doors and hardware for kitchen cabinet refacing typically takes 3-5 days; however, these days will be spread out over a couple of weeks. After you measure your cabinets and order your cabinet doors, you’ll have to wait for them to be delivered. During this time, you can clean and prep your cabinet boxes for installation. Once the doors arrive, it will take a few days to install them. The actual amount of time it takes to install them depends on how many you’re installing and your skill level.
Yes. Custom cabinet doors can be made in non-standard sizes, allowing you to reface cabinets in a kitchen with an irregular layout. Accurately measure each cabinet to determine the door size you need, and take careful notes, so you’re able to transfer these measurements to an order form or discuss them with your cabinet supplier. Aligning cabinet doors in a unique configuration may take more time to get right, but go slow and make sure you’re aligning each door properly before installing.
The best type of wood for your new cabinet doors depends on your aesthetic and durability goals. Maple has a smooth, even grain that takes stain and paint well. Poplar is also a good choice for painted finishes because its grain pattern is smooth and consistent. Hardwoods like walnut, red oak, and white oak have strong grain patterns, and stain brings out their natural beauty. Cherry is ideal for custom projects that will benefit from the patina that develops over time.
For the most part, refacing cabinets can be done with standard household tools. A screw gun, measuring tape, and level will be used for the majority of the work. To bore the hinge cups, you’ll need a Forstner bit or concealed hinge jig.
Refacing your kitchen cabinets can boost your home’s value by improving the overall look and appeal of the space. While specific returns vary by region and market conditions, kitchen upgrades consistently show a strong return on investment.
Industry data from the Journal of Light Construction’s 2024 Cost vs. Value Report shows that minor kitchen remodels can recoup a high percentage of their cost, and cabinet refacing often delivers similar value because it provides a refreshed, modern look at a lower price point than a full replacement. Your actual cabinet refacing ROI will depend on local housing trends, but refacing is generally considered a cost-effective way to enhance both your kitchen and your home’s market appeal.