How to Replace Your Cabinet Doors
Posted by Donovan Thornhill on Sep 24th 2025
Do you have cabinets in your home with damaged or outdated doors? Are you ready to upgrade your traditional kitchen to a more modern style? Consider investing in replacement cabinet doors rather than a complete home makeover.
In this guide, we’ll teach you how to replace your cabinet doors yourself and how to transform your space with new hardware, drawer fronts, and more. Here’s everything you need to know.
Why Consider Cabinet Door Replacement?
If your cabinets are still in good condition and aren't showing signs of wear and tear, consider ordering cabinet door replacements. This is an effective way to elevate your space for a fraction of the cost of a full home renovation. It’s also a significantly easier time commitment. When you invest in cabinet door replacements, there are countless ways to get creative. You can explore different styles, paints, wood types, and finishes to get your desired interior design.
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Steps to Replace Cabinet Doors
Replacing cabinet doors is a relatively straightforward process and can be done without professional help or guidance. Here's a step-by-step guide you can follow:
Step 1: Remove the Current Doors
To remove the current doors, simply open them and detach the hinge from the mounting plate on the inside of the cabinet. Typically, you do this by pinching the hinge portion furthest inside the cabinet, but some hinges are different. Once the current doors are removed, unscrew all hardware from the doors and the cabinet.
Step 2: Measuring your Doors
If you’re reusing your existing hinges, then you’ll want your new replacement cabinet doors to be the exact same size as your current ones. You can do this by measuring the actual width and height of each door. If you are measuring the current doors, skip straight to step 4. If you’re ordering our hinges with your doors, then follow step 3.
Step 3: Add the Overlay
Your cabinet doors are slightly larger than the cabinet opening. This is called an overlay. Standard cabinet doors have a ½-inch overhang on all sides. If you’re ordering a new door, add one inch to the width and height measurements of the cabinet opening to account for the overlay on both sides. If you’re using double doors, simply divide each measurement (with the one inch added) by 2. Then subtract 1/16 inch to account for the small space between the opening edge of each door.
If your current cabinet doors have a different overlay, simply substitute that amount instead of a ½ inch. Be aware that cabinets with unusual overlays will require a different hinge, and possibly an adjusted borehole.
Step 4: Order the Doors and Hinges
After you have the correct measurements, you’re ready to explore our inventory of custom-made cabinet doors. Just type in all your dimensions, and your new doors will be cut to that exact size. You can have us cut hinge boreholes in the door at our factory for a small additional charge. These holes make it easy to install the hinges and continue the installation. We sell easy-to-use Blum hinges that fit perfectly into pocket holes. You can also cut the boreholes and find the hinges yourself.
Step 5: Install the Hinges
Each hinge borehole is actually three holes – a large one called the hinge cup and two smaller holes that help ensure perfect alignment. Start by attaching the hinge mounting plate to the hinge. Then lift the locking flange at the hinge base and insert the hinge base into the hinge cup. Rotate until the holes in the locking mechanism align with the smaller boreholes. After pressing the locking flange down, your hinge is firmly in place.
Step 6: Mount the Doors
The easiest way to mount the doors is to attach a straight piece of wood to the base of the cabinet opening. Use strong clamps to hold it in place 1/2 inch below the bottom edge, accounting for the overlay. Hold the door in place so that the mounting plates are against the face frame of the cabinet, then make marks through the screw slots so that you know where to drill the pilot holes.
Finally, remove the mounting plates from the doors, screw them into the face frame using a Phillips-head screwdriver and the included screws, then reattach the hinges to the mounting plates. It's helpful to have an assistant for the final part.
Step 7: Adjust the Doors
The Blum hinges we sell have four screws around the mounting plate. Each of these allows you to adjust the cabinet door's position. The two screws that actually hold the door to the face frame can be adjusted up or down, allowing all your cabinet doors to align perfectly. The screw farthest from the hinges allows you to adjust the distance between the door and the face frame, which is helpful if you have sound-reducing “bumpers” installed on the closing side of the door.
Lastly, the center screw allows you to adjust the door to the left or right, ensuring that the double doors close together perfectly. Take some time to adjust each door until it looks and functions perfectly.
Design Options to Enhance Your Cabinet Door Replacement
When replacing cabinet doors, several design elements should be considered. Once you determine the cabinet door style you prefer and the desired finish, consider the following:
Upgrade Cabinet Hardware for a Fresh Look
Switching out your cabinet hardware can enhance the functionality and style of your space. Knobs work best in small kitchens and upper cabinets. They also come in a variety of sizes and shapes, so you can decide how much of an impact you want them to have on your space. Cabinet door pulls work well on drawers and lower cabinets. There are also a variety of styles, such as cups and T-bar pulls, so you can choose one that complements your aesthetic. You can also add a touch of personality to your space with ornamental knobs or pulls with more decorative detailing.
Once you determine a style, it’s time to choose a finish. For a more modern look, consider matte black or brass finishes. These finishes complement a range of hues and pair elegantly with modern cabinet door styles. If you prefer a more traditional design, consider a warmer finish such as gold or brushed nickel.
Improve Storage with Drawer Front Replacement
If you're going to invest in cabinet door replacements, you'll also want to invest in new drawer fronts. This is the best way to create a cohesive and professional interior design. It also ensures that the style, wood species, or paint color accurately matches.
Maintenance & Care Tips
After replacing your cabinet doors, you'll want to keep up consistent maintenance to preserve the pristine look and prevent general wear and tear. You should clean the cabinet doors regularly with warm water and a gentle soap. Consider applying a durable finish, such as a conversion varnish, to help prevent scratches and dents.
Refresh Your Cabinet Doors Without a Full Remodel
Investing in kitchen cabinet door replacement rather than committing to a complete home renovation is the most cost-effective way to elevate your space. If you're ready to replace your cabinet doors, explore our selection of custom-made solutions at CabinetDoors.com. Since 1980, we've been a reliable source for custom-made cabinet door replacements for homeowners. We manufacture high-quality cabinet doors with premium finishes and materials.
FAQs About Cabinet Door Replacement
Do I need professional help, or can I replace cabinet doors myself?
You can easily replace cabinet doors yourself without professional assistance. This is a great way to save on project costs, allowing you to invest in higher-quality cabinet door replacements.
How long does cabinet door replacement usually take?
The actual duration of the entire project will depend on the kitchen size and whether you order them finished or unfinished. If you order finished cabinet door replacements, the doors will arrive ready to install. If you plan to paint or stain them yourself, allow at least two to five days for the process to complete before installation.
Beginning to end, it takes less than 10 minutes to replace each cabinet door. If you are unclear about how any of the steps above work, please watch this quick video. It breaks down the entire process in detail and illustrates just how easy it is to replace your own cabinet doors.
What types of cabinet doors can be replaced?
Any cabinet doors in your kitchen, bathroom, or commercial space can be replaced. The cabinets must be in good working order and show no severe signs of wear or tear.
