What to expect when you "reface" kitchen cabinets

If you are basically happy with the layout of your kitchen refacing can be a fast, practical solution that gives you the look of a whole new kitchen for thousands of dollars less than new cabinets, and saves the environment a lot of waste.  Here are answers to common questions about refacing:

Before refacing, stained, faded, white washed oak cabinets.

When should I reface?

If you cabinet boxes are in good shape, if you like the basic layout of the space, and if you are trying not to change the counters because you've already installed expensive granite counters and have now decided to change the cabinets, too.

When should I NOT reface?

If you cabinet boxes are in bad shape (e.g., waterlogged mdf cabinets) then you will want to replace the cabinets instead of refacing, and if you are going to overhaul the entire layout of the space it might make more sense to start from scratch.

After refacing, new cherry cabinets with rich pecan stain.

What am I getting when I reface?
Refacing means that you will be using the old boxes, but that the outer skin, side panels, doors and drawer fronts will all be new.  Until you look inside a cabinet, every surface you see will be a new surface.


What do I have to decide?
Just like when you choose new cabinets, you must make a number of choices: wood species, color/stain finish, door style, hinge style and finish, and hardware style and finish.


What are my options?
You can add new pullouts inside your old cabinets, convert cabinets to drawers, and even add new cabinetry to the kitchen in addition to refacing the existing cabinets.


How long will it take?
That depends, but the kitchen featured here was refaced in three days and the homeowners endured much less mess and disruption than they would have with all new cabinets.

Refacing can be a great option that saves you both time and money.  Fair warning: you may come across contractors that tell not to reface your kitchen.  Many contractors prefer to start any remodel from scratch, some don't really understand how refacing works, and others may just want you to take on the bigger project because it's a bigger paycheck.  If you are considering refacing, talk to your designer about it or ask a refacer directly if the job is appropriate rather than relying on the opinion of your contractor.

If you have any other questions about what to expect with refacing or kitchen remodels in general, don't hesitate to email me.  Happy decorating!