Refacing your kitchen cabinets can be an affordable way to update an outdated kitchen, fix faded colours, or replace hinges and handles that are no longer working. Cabinet refacing can give your kitchen a new look without undergoing a time-consuming and expensive remodel. Since the kitchen cabinet fronts are the most visible part of your kitchen, refacing is a simple upgrade that can transform your whole space.
Refacing kitchen cabinetry involves altering cabinet doors and side panels to give them a new appearance. The outdated cabinet and drawer fronts can be removed to install new ones. Kitchen cabinet refacing is available in many styles and finishing options including laminates, wood veneer and more.
Refacing is also a great option if you do not want to change the layout of your existing kitchen, but just want it to look better. Construction is minimal and the home’s value increases. The advantage is that you can keep the existing cabinet boxes, which means no costly cabinet replacement or long-term renovation project. The old cabinet boxes are not even removed. However, they can be repaired if necessary to match your new cabinet fronts or door material.
Kitchen styles you’d want to reface in 2024
We all want to have a stylish kitchen, but staying on top of the latest kitchen trends can feel like a constant challenge. Not everyone has the budget to keep up with current kitchen trends when it comes to updating not the decor but the interior design of their space. New trends for kitchen design arise every few years. No wonder that many homeowners struggle to keep their kitchens looking fresh and stylish without draining their bank accounts.
Refacing the kitchen is one effective strategy to stay current without breaking your budget. This approach allows you to achieve a dramatic transformation at a fraction of the cost of kitchen renovation. Cabinet door refacing is a cost-effective and durable way to create the kitchen of dreams, whether you are looking to sell your house or just want to give your home a new look. Let’s check if your kitchen is ready for a makeover.
- Arch cabinet doors
If for some reason you still have cathedral arch doors in your kitchen it is the best time to replace them with new cabinet doors. Primarily arch-style cabinets were made from oak wood, so they are durable enough to survive several generations of their owners. While arch-styled cabinets may have been durable and classic in their time, their charm can wear thin over the years, leaving your kitchen feeling stale and uninspired. The reason why many people do not want to give them up is easy to understand until they bore you to the point of nausea. By opting for sleek and contemporary cabinet doors, you can breathe new life into your space and create a more cohesive and stylish look.
- Farmhouse-style doors
Farmhouse design is slightly outdated in urban areas. The one that seemed timeless to us fades along with its sliding barn doors, white shakers, cup handles and butcher block benches. Giving way to a more personalized aesthetic, a rustic style going out of choice for kitchens in 2024. While they may have added warmth and character to your kitchen in the past, their chalk-white or distressed finishes can now feel dated and out of touch with current trends. By refacing these doors with bright colours and semi-gloss coatings, you can modernize your kitchen and infuse it with a fresh, updated vibe that reflects your personal style.
- Hardwood cabinet doors
Dark wood kitchens have fallen out of style, especially those that are made from hardwoods that are difficult for the environment to grow like rosewood and mahogany. The shift away from dark wood kitchens is part of a larger trend towards sustainability and eco-conscious living in interior design. Additionally, dark wood cabinet doors can also create a sense of heaviness and datedness in a space. In addition to their environmental concerns, dark wood kitchens can also create a sense of heaviness and datedness in a space.
- White gloss kitchen doors
Finally, white gloss kitchen doors, once the epitome of modern elegance, have seen a decline in popularity in recent years. While their glossy finish may have been all the rage at one point, their tendency to show chips and fingerprints has made them less desirable in today’s kitchen designs. As a result, many homeowners are opting for alternative finishes and textures that offer a more durable and low-maintenance solution. As a result, many homeowners are opting for lighter, brighter finishes to create a more open and airy feel in their kitchens.
- Ultra-modern handleless flat doors
On the opposite of far outdated kitchens, the recent modern doors aesthetic is the one people often want to alter these days. They appear to be rather temporary captures than long-lasting convenient solutions. Flat panel doors with no handles may have once epitomized sleek sophistication, their lack of character and functionality issues are now more apparent than ever. Now everyone notices their coldness and lack of coziness, so many homeowners aim to replace flat-panel doors with something with a bit of character.
Refacing your cabinets is an efficient way to update your space and stay current with the latest kitchen trends. Whether you’re looking to optimize your kitchen or simply refresh its aesthetic, your cabinet door refacing can make a significant impact on the overall look and feel of your space.
3 best materials to renew kitchen cabinet doors
The material or finish of kitchen doors is usually what you refer to when talking about cabinets. When choosing materials to refurbish kitchen cabinet doors, it’s essential that they enhance the visual aesthetics in addition to prioritizing sustainability and durability. Here are three of the best materials commonly used when refacing cabinetry:
The materials commonly used for refacing are:
- Wood veneer,
- thermofoil,
- laminate.
Wood veneer is an increasingly popular choice for cabinet refacing due to its timeless appeal and natural beauty. Applying thin layers of real wood veneer to MDF cabinet doors offers the look and feel of solid wood without its pricey price tag. Veneer wood comes in various species such as oak, maple and cherry so that you can customize the look of your kitchen according to your preferred aesthetic preferences. Furthermore, the veneer surface can easily be refinished or painted when decor changes arise in the future – providing another versatile option.
Thermofoil is a synthetic material crafted from thin vinyl or PVC that’s applied to MDF or other engineered wood substrates. This durable, moisture-resistant and cost-effective option is often the go-to material, offering durability, moisture resistance and an array of colours, patterns and finishes that let you achieve almost any look you can think of for your kitchen refacing project. From modern sleek aesthetics to a classic style or classic traditional vibe, thermofoil cabinet doors offer versatility with style at a reasonable cost point.
Laminate is an increasingly popular material for modernizing kitchens due to its affordability and minimal upkeep requirements. Laminates are created by applying multiple layers of paper or plastic resin onto a substrate like MDF or plywood and pressing them together before adding a decorative top coat. This decorative layer can replicate the appearance of natural materials like wood, stone or metal for endless design opportunities. Laminate cabinet doors are also resistant to scratches, stains and moisture damage, making them the perfect solution for busy kitchens that demand maximum durability.
How much does it cost to reface kitchen cabinets?
Another great advantage of kitchen refacing is its relatively low cost compared to a full renovation. While the exact price will depend on factors like the size of your kitchen and the materials you choose, refacing is generally much more affordable than tearing out and replacing everything from scratch.
The cost of refacing cabinets in the kitchen varies widely because many factors are involved. It is determined by the materials used, how many cabinets are involved, and the labour required. Minor makeover begins at AU$1,000. If you are doing a small kitchen remodel, it may be as simple as replacing a few drawers or doors.
A more advanced refacing project could cost up to AU$ 5,000 and include professional cabinet box repair or custom-size door manufacturing. The price will also depend on your personal style and taste. The cost of veneered wood varies according to the type of wood, while laminate can give a more modern feel with hardware that contrasts.