Your kitchen counters do a lot. We're talking hot pans, coffee spills, quick knife slips, and the daily drop zone during family hangouts.
In this blog, we'll cover:
What "Cabinet Refacing" Really Means
Cabinet Refacing vs. Refinishing vs. Refacing
Kitchen Cabinet Refacing Timeline, Process, & Costs
Design Choices & What to Bring to Your Design Meeting
Frequently Asked Questions About Kitchen Cabinet Refacing
Cabinet refacing gives your kitchen a fresh, updated look without rebuilding from the studs.
Instead of replacing the entire cabinet system, we keep the existing cabinet boxes (the frames attached to your walls) and transform everything you see and touch.
Here’s What’s Included:
New doors and drawer fronts in the style you love.
New exterior “skins” (real wood veneer or high-quality laminate) applied to visible cabinet faces, ends, and toe kicks so everything matches perfectly.
Updated hardware and hinges, often with soft-close function for a quieter kitchen.
Optional trim and accents, like crown molding, light rail, glass inserts, or decorative end panels.
What Stays the Same:
Cabinet Boxes and Layout:
If your boxes are sturdy and you’re happy with your kitchen’s footprint, refacing is a smart, efficient path to a whole new look.
Often, Your Countertops and Backsplash:
Many homeowners choose refacing precisely because it pairs well with surfaces they want to keep.
Bottom line: Refacing delivers a dramatic style upgrade, shorter timelines, and less disruption than full replacement, which is perfect when your cabinets function well but the finish and door style no longer fit your taste.
Not sure which path fits your kitchen and budget? Here’s how the three options compare and when each one makes the most sense.
What It Is:
New doors/drawer fronts + matching veneers/skins on visible cabinet faces; new hardware/hinges.
Best When:
Your cabinet boxes are sturdy, you like your current layout, and you want a major style upgrade with less disruption.
Why Homeowners Choose It:
Faster timeline than full replacement; keeps countertops/backsplash in place; big visual impact.
What It Is:
Sanding/priming and painting or staining existing doors, drawers, and boxes; hardware swap optional.
Best When:
Doors are in good shape, you’re happy with the door style, and you want the most budget-friendly refresh.
Keep in Mind:
Finish longevity depends on surface prep and product quality; existing door style remains (Shaker stays Shaker).
What It Is:
Full cabinet replacement with new boxes, doors, drawers, and the option to change layout, add storage, or rework appliances.
Best When:
Boxes are failing or water-damaged, you want a different footprint, or you’re planning a larger remodel with plumbing/electrical moves.
Why Homeowners Choose It:
Total flexibility in design, interior accessories, and function; ideal for long-term value and resale.
No need to go into a consultation with these major deciding factors remaining a mystery. Let's cover the big three factors right here, right now!
Most refacing projects move quickly compared to full cabinet replacement. A typical timeline looks like this:
Design & Measurements (1–2 visits):
Confirm door style, finish, hardware, and any trim or glass details; take precise site measurements.
Fabrication (about 1–3 weeks):
New doors/drawer fronts and matching veneers/skins are produced to spec. Lead time depends on style (painted vs. stained wood, laminate, or specialty finishes).
On-Site Installation (2–5 days):
Old doors/drawers are removed; box faces and exposed ends get new skins; new doors, drawers, hinges, hardware, and trim are installed; final adjustments and cleanup follow.
Curious what the workflow looks like from “let’s do this” to “wow, it’s done”? Here’s the typical path—organized, clean, and efficient.
Consult & Box Check:
We review goals, inspect cabinet boxes for sturdiness and square, and talk style, finishes, and hardware.
Measurements & Selections:
Precise field measurements; you finalize door style, color/stain, hinge type, trim, and any glass or open-shelf accents.
Fabrication:
Your new doors/drawers and matching veneers/skins are produced to spec; hardware and organizers are ordered.
Site Prep:
Floors and adjacent surfaces are protected; dust barriers go up to keep the work zone contained.
Remove & Re-skin:
Old doors/drawers come off; exposed box faces, ends, and toe kicks receive new skins for a seamless match.
Install Doors, Drawers & Hardware:
Soft-close hinges, full-extension slides, pulls/knobs, crown/light rail, and decorative panels are fitted and aligned.
Adjust, Clean, Walkthrough:
Fine-tuning doors and reveals, thorough cleanup, and a final walkthrough to confirm every detail feels dialed in.
From first measure to final polish, the focus is a big visual transformation with minimal disruption to your daily routine.
Refacing typically lands between repainting and full cabinet replacement. It's a smart middle ground with a big visual payoff.
Kitchen size & door count
Door style & material
Finish complexity
Upgrades (soft-close hinges/slides, glass doors, crown/light rail, decorative end panels)
Interior add-ons (roll-outs, trash/recycling pull-outs, spice pull-outs, tray dividers)
Hardware
Refinishing/Painting:
Lower cost, finish-only change
Refacing:
Mid-tier investment with new doors/skins + hardware and trim
Full replacement:
Highest cost; new boxes/layout/storage options
Your cabinets take up a lot of visual space in your kitchen, so let's go over what kind of design options we'll visit during your meeting.
Refacing isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s your chance to tailor the look and function of your kitchen without changing the layout. Here’s what you’ll select:
Shaker:
Clean lines, works with coastal, modern, and transitional homes.
Flat-Front (slab):
Sleek and contemporary; pairs well with integrated pulls.
Raised Panel / Detailed Profiles:
Classic and traditional; great with crown and light rail.
Edge Details:
Eased, beveled, ogee offer subtle shifts that change the overall vibe.
Painted:
Crisp whites, soft beiges, coastal blues/greens, charcoal.
Stained Woods:
Maple, oak, walnut, cherry for visible grain and depth.
Textured Laminates:
Contemporary wood-look tones with easy-care resilience.
Glass-Front Uppers:
Clear, frosted, or reeded for display and lightness.
Crown Molding & Light Rail:
A polished, built-in finish at the top and undercabs.
Decorative End Panels & Posts:
Turn box sides into finished furniture-like elements.
Open Shelves:
Warm up a run of uppers or create a coffee/bar moment.
Soft-close concealed hinges and full-extension slides for modern function.
Hardware Finishes:
Brushed nickel, matte black, champagne bronze, or mixed metals.
Pull Styles:
Bars, cups, or finger pulls.
A little prep makes your refacing consult faster, clearer, and more fun. Show up with:
Photos & Rough Measurements:
Wide shots of the kitchen plus a quick sketch with wall lengths, ceiling height, and window/door locations.
Inspiration Images:
Save styles you love—door profiles, colors, crown details, glass fronts, hardware—so we can spot patterns and narrow choices.
Pain Points & Wish List:
What’s bugging you (dinged doors, dated arches, sticky drawers)? What would make daily life easier (roll-outs, trash pull-out, undercab lights)?
Existing Finishes:
A cabinet door, a flooring/tile sample, or a countertop name helps us dial in perfect color matches.
Appliance Details:
Model numbers and any changes coming (new range, apron sink, panel-ready fridge).
Budget & Timeline:
A range and target date keep selections aligned with your goals.
With this quick toolkit, your designer can translate ideas into a cohesive refacing plan with clear pricing, realistic timing, and a finish palette that feels made for your home.
You have questions and we have answers!
Refacing shines when your cabinets work but don’t wow. A quick self-check can tell you if it’s a fit:
Your Cabinet Boxes Are Solid:
Frames are sturdy, square, and securely attached with no sagging shelves, swollen bottoms, or soft spots from leaks.
You Like Your Layout:
Appliance locations, aisle widths, and storage zones make sense; you’re not trying to move sinks or walls.
Surfaces You Love Can Stay:
Refacing plays nicely with existing countertops and backsplash, so you don’t have to demo what already works.
Door Style Is the Issue:
You’re tired of the profile/color/finish, not the cabinet function.
You Want Less Disruption:
Faster timelines, less dust, and minimal downtime compared with full replacement.
Yes, if the cabinet boxes are structurally sound. Many laminate (and thermofoil) kitchens are great candidates for refacing because the underlying boxes are often stable and square.
During refacing, new doors and drawer fronts are made to your style, and fresh high-pressure laminate (HPL) or matching veneer skins are applied to all visible faces, ends, and toe kicks for a seamless look.
Swollen or delaminated substrate from past leaks
Boxes that are out of square, loose from the wall, or visibly sagging
Severe damage around sinks, dishwashers, or toe kicks
If your boxes pass inspection, refacing can deliver a contemporary, wipe-clean finish with soft-close hardware and updated trim—without removing countertops or changing your layout.
If they don’t, a targeted cabinet replacement (in just the affected area) or a full new system is a much better long-term solution.
In most cases, yes, and that’s one of the biggest perks of refacing. Because the cabinet boxes stay in place, your countertops and backsplash can remain undisturbed, saving time, cost, and mess.
Surface Protection:
Thorough masking and floor/wall protection throughout the workspace.
Careful Removal:
Doors/drawers come off; visible box faces get new skins without prying on stone edges.
Precision Fit:
New doors, trims, and panels are templated to your existing dimensions for a clean, finished look.
Tight overhangs or fragile edges (especially on older stone) may limit trim choices.
Buildup or height changes for new appliances/trim can require minor adjustments.
Planned sink/faucet swaps are best coordinated during refacing for a seamless finish.
Generally, yes. Painting is the lowest-cost way to refresh your cabinets, because you’re keeping the existing doors and simply changing the finish.
It’s a smart move when your doors are in great shape, you like the profile, and you want a new color with minimal disruption.
Just remember, durability hinges on surface prep and product quality; high-touch zones can show wear sooner.
You want a new door style (e.g., slab or a slimmer Shaker rail).
Existing doors have dings, veneer damage, or dated arches that paint won’t hide.
You’re craving soft-close hardware, glass inserts, crown/light rail, or texture-rich laminates.
Ready for a “new kitchen” without a full kitchen remodel? Cabinet refacing swaps in fresh doors, matching skins, and updated hardware. It's fast, clean, and tailored to your style. Add a few smart organizers and it feels brand new.
Not sure if refacing or replacing is right for you? Contact Gilbert Design Build and we’ll help you choose the best path for your kitchen and your budget!