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Tips for Cabinet Refacing with Replacement Cabinet Doors

Dec 16th 2021

Cabinet Refacing with Replacement Cabinet Doors

Looking for some kitchen cabinet refacing tips? Learning how to reface cabinets properly can take some research and careful work, but once you know what you’re doing, you could achieve a beautiful result. Compared to the cost of replacement, learning to reface cabinet doors DIY could save you thousands of dollars and transform the look and feel of your kitchen. Door refacing is also a lot faster than a complete cabinet remodel and will create a lot less mess in the process. For many people, this turns out to be the cheapest, easiest, and most attractive option — which makes it the best option, too.

If your cabinets are starting to show their age, or are just outdated in general, replacing all your cabinets may not always be the best option. Refacing cabinets is a great option for getting a brand new look, without going through a full cabinet demo or kitchen remodel. By replacing or refinishing only the “face” of the cabinets—meaning the doors, drawer fronts, and any part of the cabinet facing outward—you’ll get cabinets that look brand new for a fraction of the budget and effort.

If you feel like this option will accomplish everything you’re looking for in the kitchen update you’re looking for, take advantage of some kitchen cabinet refacing tips from us here at Cabinetdoors.com. We have provided replacement cabinet doors to homeowners, designers, and contractors too many times to count, and we have learned how to help ensure the best-looking results, while avoiding a lot of headaches along the way.

DIY Cabinet Refacing Tips

When it’s time to learn how to reface cabinets, it’s important to think about what goals you’re trying to achieve. If you hate your layout and want to gut your kitchen and start from scratch, DIY kitchen refacing probably won’t solve the problems you have with your kitchen. However, if you like your current layout and feel comfortable embarking on a project that involves a decent amount of measuring and refinishing, door refacing might be just right for you.

If you are ready to reface cabinet doors and DIY this project, then it’s time to start exploring your cabinet refacing options. Let’s take a closer look at things you should consider as you get started with your DIY cabinet refacing project. Thinking these things through ahead of time can help you make a smarter, more complete plan and get the look you want.

Know the reality of refacing

Before you start refacing cabinets, it’s crucial to know what you’re getting into. Refacing cabinets may be easier than replacing them, but that doesn’t mean it’s completely effortless. Refacing cabinet doors is the simple part. If you plan to reuse your current hinges, measure your current doors, then order custom-built replacements in the same size. If you plan to purchase new hinges from CabinetDoors.com, you will need to measure your cabinets for a 1/2 overlay (add 1" to the width and height of the opening).There's also the option of purchasing new hinges that CabinetDoors.com does not provide. If you go with an inset, or a full overlay then you will need to follow the measuring instructions based on the hinges you purchase. From there, the process gets a little trickier—especially if you’re newer to home improvement projects.

The cabinet base, also called the cabinet boxes or faces, can require some finesse if you’re installing your own wood veneer. Applying wood veneer can create a high-end look, but it requires attention to detail and can be harder and more expensive than just painting the cabinets, which is fairly easy. If you want to retain a wood finish, think about whether you feel confident applying veneer. If you want a painted finish, consider how you’ll need to prepare your cabinets. What you do with the cabinets is entirely up to you, but it’s important to be realistic about what’s involved.

Start sooner rather than later

You will know it’s time to reface your cabinets when they start to show clear signs of wear and tear. That includes dents, dings, scrapes, stains, warping of the cabinet doors and drawer fronts, and any other kinds of defects. The face of your cabinets receives the most use and abuse, so it tends to wear out faster than the inside of the cabinets. Only you can decide when the face of your cabinets looks worn out beyond what you can stand, but as soon as you do, start making plans for cabinet refacing options.

But, once you get inspired to start this project, don’t let it fall by the wayside! DIY kitchen refacing or bathroom cabinet refacing are the kinds of projects that can easily get put on the back burner when life gets busy. Meanwhile, your cabinets will only continue to look and feel worse. If you need some motivation to get started, remember that refacing cabinets doesn’t have to be a huge undertaking. You can complete the project with a modest budget, minimal DIY skills, and about 2 weeks time, all in, if you put in the necessary prep and attention. Once you’ve finished the project and see what a big difference it makes, you’ll wonder why you waited so long in the first place!

Don’t skimp on style

Refacing is not the same as replacing, and that’s actually a good thing. Replacing your cabinets is a huge undertaking, and it can be prohibitively expensive and makes your kitchen unusable while the project is being completed. Refacing not only saves significantly on the cost, but you’ll still be able to use your kitchen through most of the process. Door refacing still provides the opportunity to transform the look of your cabinets, using drastically different styles and colors than you had before. There’s no need to completely transform the look of your cabinets if you’re already happy with the style, but don’t feel like you have to stick with something the same as or similar to your past cabinets if you’re ready for a change.

Refacing cabinets gives you an endless array of design options to work with and change to meet your aesthetic vision for the space. From the design and style of your cabinet doors, to the overall color scheme of the cabinetry, to the hardware you choose to install, you can create a brand new look without an enormous budget. If you have always dreamed of a kitchen that looked a certain way—whether sleek and modern, quaint and cozy, or like something out of today’s design magazines—now is the time to bring your dream to life. Best of all, you can achieve almost any look without needing to tear down your space or spend a lot.

Paint can make all the difference

When you think about how to reface cabinet doors DIY, you probably mostly think of installing brand new cabinet doors. However, if you’ve wondered, “Can you reface painted cabinets?” it’s helpful to know that you certainly can. In fact, sometimes just repainting can make a world of difference and is a low-cost way to reface and update your kitchen. Right now, white kitchen designs are popular and can be a quick way to give your space an update. If you’re looking to put your house on the market, this may also be the best choice for you. People will see past the style of door, and see a bright new and clean white kitchen! A professional is recommended, but if you possess some DIY skills you can transform your kitchen at a low cost!

That said, remember that paint can’t hide every flaw. If your cabinet doors and drawer fronts are significantly banged up or warped, brand new doors and drawer fronts can truly make a huge difference. In that case, consider having them professionally finished in durable Sherwin-Williams conversion varnish. This type of paint provides a long-lasting finish that can stand up to everyday use in high-humidity environments like a kitchen or bathroom, so it’s worth the investment if you prefer a painted finish you can count on to last.

Think about functionality

When you upgrade your cabinets, consider the functionality as well as the style. If your old cabinet doors banged shut or your drawers were hard to open and close, your refacing cabinet doors project is the perfect time to install better hardware. New drawer runners can ensure your drawers close smoothly, and soft-close Blum hinges can help your cabinet doors close softly and easily. These kinds of upgrades are relatively inexpensive, but they help your doors and drawers last longer and make using your cabinets and working in your kitchen a lot more pleasant.

Additionally, think about what will work best for you and your household. If you find yourself frequently reaching for your cabinet doors with greasy hands, or you have kids in the house with a tendency to slam doors and drawers, take that into consideration. Knowing that you frequently have to clean greasy handprints or food from the cabinets and drawers should guide you toward the most durable finish. If members of your household are less than gentle with the cabinets, make sure you have sturdy hardware that minimizes slamming and whamming. As much as possible, use your resources to make the space as perfect as possible, not just better.

Look past the cabinets

Related to the last idea, look for projects you may want to do in addition to refacing cabinets to make your space work and feel better for you. For example, could you also paint the kitchen walls, install a different backsplash, or put in a new kitchen sink? If you’re tackling bathroom cabinet refacing, could you incorporate a colorful accent wall, or add some additional lighting to brighten up the room? All of these are easy upgrades you can tackle during your refacing project, and they’ll make your space look and feel that much better than it did before.

Keep in mind, too, that sometimes when you fix up one part of a room, other parts may start to feel out of date or shabby by comparison. As such, you might want to plan on refreshing your paint, adding new throw rugs or window treatments, or otherwise refreshing the space so you can fully enjoy the fruits of your labor after the project is finished. The whole idea of refacing is to make a simple but significant improvement to your space, so look for other ways you can accomplish the same thing at the same time.

Find Your Next Doors at Cabinetdoors.com

Now that you’ve read through our bathroom and kitchen cabinet refacing tips, you should feel confident getting started with your refacing plan. With thoughtful planning and careful work throughout the process, you can create a brand new look in your space without the hassle or cost of a full remodel. Even better, when you complete the process yourself, you’ll not only save money, but you’ll also ensure that you get the best materials for the best results.

Ultimately, learning how to reface cabinets as well as possible is really about finding the right replacement cabinet doors. You’ll want high quality products in the right size and the perfect style. Cabinetdoors.com is here to help you get exactly what you want in cabinet doors and drawer fronts. Browse our impressively large large inventory of cabinet doors and drawer fronts each of which is custom-built to your exact dimensions and specifications. After you find the perfect option, you’ll be able to choose the wood type and finish you prefer before you complete your order.

When you order from Cabinetdoors.com, you not only get a high quality product, but you also get the benefit of our experience. You’ll enjoy the peace of mind that comes with ordering products from experts in the field, and you can also trust our over 40 years of experience manufacturing custom-built cabinet doors. We are committed to providing our customers with exactly what they need, and we guarantee our workmanship, so you can trust that you’ll be satisfied.

Get Help and Support for Your Refacing Project

Cabinetdoors.com is here to help you every step of the way. We have a variety of resources to help you complete your refacing project feeling prepared and confident. Explore our Resources section on our website, where you’ll find guides to replacing your cabinet doors, as well as our blog, where you’ll find helpful posts explaining refacing in detail and providing a complete how-to for refacing your cabinets.

If you still need more assistance, we’re happy to help you. You can contact us directly online, or by phone at 800-342-1010. When it comes to refacing cabinets and kitchen cabinet refacing tips, Cabinetdoors.com always delivers. 

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