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Revitalize Your Kitchen with Simple Cabinet Door Replacements

Is your kitchen looking tired and dated? Drab cabinetry and worn countertops can make the heart of your home feel old and dull. But a full kitchen remodel requires a significant investment of both time and money. The good news is that by just replacing the cabinet doors and drawer fronts, you can give your kitchen a fresh new look for a fraction of the cost.

Swapping out cabinet doors provides an affordable mini makeover that can completely transform the look of your kitchen. New cabinet doors allow you to change the style and finish to create a modern, elegant, or rustic vibe. Read on to learn why replacing doors is all you need to revitalize your kitchen.

The Affordability of Just Replacing Cabinet Doors

A full kitchen remodel involving tearing out and replacing cabinets, countertops, flooring, and appliances can cost $20,000 to $50,000 on average. But by keeping your existing cabinet boxes and just switching out the doors and drawer fronts, you can refresh your kitchen for as little as $2,000 to $3,000.

kitchen cabinet fronts only

Custom cabinet doors range from $50 to $200 per door on average depending on the material and door style. So for a standard 10x10 kitchen with 30 cabinet doors total, you would spend $1,500 to $6,000 for new custom doors. This is a fraction of the cost of a full remodel. You get a brand new look without replacing the whole cabinet system.

Other Benefits of Just Replacing Doors

Along with being extremely budget-friendly, replacing cabinet doors also comes with other advantages over a total remodel:

As long as the boxes and interior of your cabinets are in good shape, new doors can give them an entirely new look. Visually, it has the same dramatic effect as all new cabinets.

Evaluating Your Cabinets for Just New Doors

Replacing doors makes the most sense if the bones of your cabinets are solid. Assess the current condition of your cabinet boxes, frames and interior storage before deciding if doors alone will do the trick. Here are signs your existing cabinets are good candidates for just new doors:

However, if cabinets are severely damaged, poorly constructed or flawed in layout, new doors will not solve the underlying issues. Total replacement would be the better route for cabinets with:

Choosing the Perfect New Cabinet Doors

Selecting attractive, durable new doors is an exciting part of planning your kitchen's facelift. Keep the following door considerations in mind:

Door Styles

Choosing a door style that suits your kitchen's aesthetic is key. Look at photos of kitchens you love to help choose:

Keep in mind neighboring elements like your counters, backsplash, flooring, and appliances so the new cabinet door style complements them.

Materials

Solid wood doors are gorgeous but come at a premium cost. For budget kitchen makeovers, opt for thermofoil or veneer over MDF cores to get a wood look for less. Painted finishes are also very affordable and on-trend.

Custom vs. Stock Size

Custom doors made exactly to your cabinet dimensions ensure a perfect fit but cost more. Economical stock size doors work if existing sizes are standard. Pay close attention when measuring old doors to replace.

Tips for Installing New Cabinet Doors

Ready to get started replacing those outdated cabinet doors? Here are tips to make the installation process smooth:

DIY or Hire a Pro?

With some DIY skills, installing new doors is very achievable. Watch online tutorials. But for large kitchens or complex cabinetry, hiring a contractor takes the work off your plate.

Remove Doors Carefully

Label each door and hinge location so new ones go back accurately. Use screwdrivers, not force, to detach old doors.

Check for Obstructions

Make sure surfaces are clean and level. Look for warped areas or protruding screws that could block new doors.

For an ideal match, prime and paint doors ahead of time rather than after. Allow proper drying time.

Just switching out tired cabinet doors for fresh new ones provides a total kitchen transformation without the cost or work of a full remodel. With some strategic updates like paint color, hardware, counters or backsplash, your revitalized kitchen will look like a million bucks!