Tired of the dated look in your kitchen but don’t want to renovate your entire space?
Kitchen cabinet refacing is a fantastic DIY project that can work wonders without busting your budget. The cost of replacing kitchen cabinets ranges from £1,040 to £8,000.
Kitchen cabinet refacing saves up to 50% over ripping everything out and starting from scratch.
Cabinet refacing completely changes the look and feel of a kitchen with minimal mess and disruption. Simply put, homeowners who do it themselves keep the existing cabinet boxes and replace the doors and drawer fronts for a brand-new look.
Pretty amazing when you consider how drastic of a change a refacing project can make!
What you’ll learn:
- What Is DIY Kitchen Cabinet Refacing?
- Why Cabinet Refacing Makes Sense
- Building Supplies and Materials Needed
- The DIY Refacing Process
- Mistakes To Avoid
What Is DIY Kitchen Cabinet Refacing?
DIY kitchen cabinet refacing is when a homeowner or contractor keeps the existing cabinet boxes in place and replaces the cabinet doors, drawer fronts, hardware, and veneer to completely change the look of the cabinets.
The best part about kitchen cabinet refacing is that it works great for anyone with cabinets that are still in good shape. The layout works fine. The boxes are sturdy. They’re not falling apart or warped.
All that needs to be done is updating the appearance of the cabinets.
If the existing setup still functions well, there is no sense in tearing it out and starting from scratch. Refacing provides the perfect solution to a fresh new look.
Kitchen cabinet refacing is really like a facelift. The bones stay the same. But everything people actually see is totally updated.
The key to success is buying quality building supplies and materials from a trusted source like The Builders Supply Company. Professional-grade products are essential for a DIY kitchen cabinet refacing project to look good and last a long time.
Why Cabinet Refacing Makes Sense
Kitchen cabinet refacing is smart for a variety of reasons. Homeowners who are considering a renovation project are discovering that refacing is the right solution due to several key factors.
Let’s take a quick look at the best parts of refacing cabinets instead of tearing everything out and starting from scratch.
Cost Savings
Replacing cabinets completely is expensive. According to HomeAdvisor, full kitchen cabinet replacement costs range from £10,000 to £25,000.
DIY kitchen cabinet refacing is 30% to 50% less expensive according to HomeAdvisor. You still get an increase in home value but don’t have to spend as much money.
Timeframe
A full kitchen renovation with new cabinets can take weeks to complete. A homeowner who has their cabinets refaced does the job themselves in just a few days.
It means no contractors and construction debris all over your house. The entire project can wrap up quickly so you don’t have to eat takeout for a month.
Environment
Kitchens where all of the cabinets are replaced create a lot of extra garbage for the landfill. Keeping cabinets in place during a refacing project creates less waste.
The eco-friendly aspect is appealing to homeowners who care about reducing their environmental impact without sacrificing the end result.
Essential Building Supplies and Materials
Homeowners who want to DIY kitchen cabinet refacing need to have the right building supplies and materials before they start. Preparation is half the battle and rushing out to the store mid-project is a huge hassle.
Basic materials for cabinet refacing include:
- Cabinet doors and drawer fronts
- Veneer or laminate sheets
- Contact adhesive
- Edge banding
- New hardware
- Primer and paint (optional, if painting)
Ordering quality materials upfront from a reputable source like The Builders Supply Company is essential. Buying cheap supplies results in a job that starts to peel and warp.
The DIY Refacing Process
Ready to get started? Follow these steps to a successful cabinet refacing project.
Step 1: Remove Existing Doors and Hardware
The first step to refacing kitchen cabinets is to remove all of the cabinet doors, drawer fronts, and hardware. Number and label each door so it is easy to remember where each one goes back in place.
Keep all the screws and hinges in labelled sandwich bags so you can easily figure out where each piece goes later.
Step 2: Clean and Prep Surfaces
Kitchen cabinet surfaces are covered in grease and grime over the years. Clean all surfaces with a degreaser and wipe them down.
Lightly sand the frames to give the contact adhesive something to grip.
Step 3: Apply Veneer to Cabinet Frames
Measure the exposed cabinet frames and cut veneer to size. Allow the veneer to overhang just a hair so you can cut it flush at the end.
Apply contact adhesive to both the back of the veneer and the cabinet frame. Allow to become tacky and then press together firmly.
Trim any excess veneer with a sharp utility knife.
Step 4: Install New Doors and Drawer Fronts
Install the new cabinet doors using new hinges. Take your time to make sure everything lines up nicely.
Misaligned doors look unprofessional. Use a level and make sure every door is even.
Step 5: Add Hardware and Final Touches
Last step is to install the new hardware and then admire your handiwork. You may want to use a template or jig to ensure all knobs and pulls are the same distance from the edge.
Conclusion: Mistakes To Avoid
Avoiding these mistakes can prevent wasted time and money on a DIY kitchen cabinet refacing project.
Skipping Prep Work
Grease and dust will keep adhesive from sticking. Taking shortcuts now means redoing the job in a few months.
Measuring Wrong
It bears repeating… Measure twice. Cut once. Order doors and drawer fronts that are the wrong size and delays and expenses quickly mount up.
Buying Cheap Materials
As mentioned before, buying cheap building supplies ends up costing more in the long run. Low-grade veneer peels and flimsy doors sag. Don’t skimp.
Hurrying Adhesive
Contact cement needs time to become tacky before it will bond. Rush it and the veneer will start to peel in a short time.
Hardware Quality
Cheap hinges wear out fast. Low-quality hardware results in doors sagging down quickly. Invest in durable, quality hardware that is up for daily use.
The Takeaway
Kitchen cabinet refacing DIY is a project that offers amazing results for homeowners who can do the work themselves. Renovation projects in America are expected to increase in 2024 according to CivicScience. 62% of American homeowners said they plan on a renovation project within the next 12 months.
Kitchen cabinet refacing is the perfect DIY project. It checks all the boxes and yields professional-grade results for anyone who is willing to take their time.
If you want to refresh the look and feel of your kitchen, follow the five steps for a successful project:
- Remove old doors and hardware
- Clean and prep all surfaces
- Apply veneer to cabinet frames
- Install new doors and drawer fronts
- Add final hardware and touches
The process is simple but takes time. Rush it or use low-quality materials and the results will show it. Do it right and enjoy a stunning new kitchen that transforms the whole room.
