DIY Kitchen Cabinet Refacing

Overtime you may come to feel as though you wish to change the look of your current kitchen cabinets. A great way to do this is to resurface them. Resurfacing your cabinets involves replacing the doors, knobs, drawer fronts, in addition to placing a new veneer on the bodies of the cabinets.

1. Decide on a new look for your cabinets. For a completely new look, pick new cabinet doors and fronts which can provide an interesting contrast to the base of the cabinets or your new veneer. Another option would be to completely replace the doors with glass doors. Visit local home improvement stores for an idea of the style and look you will be going for.


2. Remove the cabinet doors, hardware and drawer fronts from the cabinets. After everything has been removed, buff all the surfaces of the cabinet body with sand paper. If you will be placing veneer on the cabinet, use sandpaper that is 120-grit. After buffing, vacuum up the dust and thoroughly clean the cabinet body with warm water and a bristle brush. Allow the cabinet body to fully dry.


3. Apply veneer to the parts of the cabinet body which are exposed. Apply the veneer to the side of the cabinet first, then apply the veneer to the front to ensure that the corners are covered. Trim the edges of the veneer with a utility knife so that it sits flush against the corners.


4. Securely install the new doors and other hardware to your cabinets. Try to use the existing screw holes when possible. If they can’t be reused, fill them in with wood putty.