Kitchen cabinet refacing
A kitchen might feel outdated even when the cabinets aren’t broken. Outdated finishes, poor design, old hardware, and bad colors can make a kitchen feel run-down. Refacing cabinets is an option when you want to completely change the look of your kitchen, but you don’t want to tear out the cabinet boxes.
Cabinet refacing is a way to replace just the cabinet surfaces instead of the whole thing. It is another option if you want to make your kitchen look more updated without having to go through a complete renovation – everything you need to know.
Know What Refacing Cabinets Involves
Refacing cabinets is different from just painting cabinet doors. It requires an evaluation of the cabinet boxes, cabinet frames, and layout. If the cabinet boxes and frames are sturdy and well-built, you can update the exteriors.
Refacing might include:
- Replacing cabinet doors and drawer fronts
- Installing a new surface for exposed cabinet frames
- Adding new hinges, drawer pulls, and knobs
- Installing trim, molding, and/or panels if needed
- Adjusting doors and drawers for better functionality
The goal is to make the new cabinet doors, drawer fronts, and frames look like they were part of the same cabinet system from the beginning.
Confirm the Layout and Cabinet Boxes Are Sound
Cabinet refacing might be right for your kitchen if your current layout is working. For a local reference, cabinet refacing Miami is the page that matches this. If your sink location, appliance locations, storage areas, and cabinet locations are convenient, updating your cabinets might give you the update you’re looking for without having to do a bigger renovation.
It is helpful when your cabinet boxes are still strong, but the exposed surfaces cannot be fixed with just cleaning or spot repairs. Worn or faded surfaces, chipped laminate, outdated door styles, and damaged drawer fronts can all contribute to a tired appearance.
Refacing might also be right for you if you want to change the look of your kitchen. Changing from flat-panel doors to raised-panel doors and adding trim might help make your kitchen look more traditional.
The condition of the cabinet boxes themselves is more important than the current door style. A beautiful new door will not help if the cabinet boxes are rotting, sagging, hanging from the wall, or built improperly.
If the only problem is a couple of scratched doors that are otherwise in good shape, refacing is overkill. In this situation, you might only need to clean and repair the doors and install new hardware.
- Swollen or soft material around the sink and dishwasher
- Cabinet boxes that are detached from the wall
- Musty smells in the base cabinets
- Drawers that fall out of alignment
- Large gaps between cabinet boxes due to warping or breakage
A cabinet professional will be able to tell you if your cabinet boxes are structurally sound for refacing, or if you should replace them entirely. A company called Gaven Constructions also focuses on this type of work.
Coordinate the Doors, Hardware, and Color
The focus will mostly be on the cabinet doors, but there are many details that can affect the overall look of the kitchen. Door profile, surface material, edge details, hardware, and trim need to complement each other.
For example, a modern door paired with a heavy, ornate pull can look out of place. In addition, doors that are already highly detailed might not need crown molding and decorative panels. Using less detail overall will give a more unified result.
Cabinet door and hardware options
Color will also play a role in the feel of your kitchen. Light colors can help small spaces appear larger; https://www.britannica.com/art is the page that actually explains it, and darker colors can help create contrast and add interest. It is a good idea to get samples and see how they look under the light in your kitchen before choosing a color.
Typically, a cabinet refacing job will take about five days to complete, depending on the scope of work, the availability of materials, and any additional work such as countertops and backsplashes.
Use Refacing to Fix Everyday Problems
Cabinet refacing gives you an opportunity to fix small problems that have annoyed you in your kitchen for years. You can add drawer inserts, soft-close hinges, pull-outs, and under-cabinet lighting to improve the usability of your kitchen without changing the layout.
Now is also a good time to think about whether your countertops, walls, and floors still match your new cabinet style. You don’t have to replace them all, but you should pick a cabinet style that matches what remains.
Cabinet refacing can be a great option when your existing cabinet boxes are still strong and your current layout is functional. To get the best result, evaluate the cabinet boxes realistically, select materials that suit your kitchen, and decide what you want to include in the project.
Go through each cabinet and drawer, and make a list of the issues you want the refacing job to fix.