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Back in 2013, in our very first home, our kitchen was dark, dated, and not very functional. On a tight budget, we couldn’t justify a full remodel, so we started small by painting the cabinets ourselves. That brightened things up, but it didn’t fix the poor storage, awkward layout, or old countertops.
Six months later, we discovered cabinet refacing—a cost-friendly middle ground between painting and replacing—and it completely transformed our kitchen. In just four days, we had the look of a brand-new space without the price tag or demolition.
Today, in our current home, we’ve since done a full kitchen remodel with brand-new cabinets, which gave us total design freedom. But looking back, refacing was the perfect solution for where we were at the time.
What is Cabinet Refacing?
Cabinet refacing means the cabinet boxes stay in place, but everything else gets a facelift:
- New doors and drawer fronts
- Veneer applied to the cabinet boxes
- Updated hardware, molding, and trim
The result is a kitchen that looks brand new without the cost or mess of replacing everything.
Painted Cabinets vs. Refaced Cabinets
Because we first painted and then later refaced, we can compare both:
| Option | Pros | Cons | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Painting | Inexpensive, DIY-friendly, quick update | Doesn’t fix layout/storage, chips over time | When budget is very tight and cabinets are solid |
| Refacing | Looks like new, customizable, fast timeline | Costs more than painting, layout stays the same | Solid cabinets with decent layout |
| Replacing | Full freedom to redesign, add storage | Expensive, long renovation, messy | Major remodels or damaged cabinets |
For us, paint was a good short-term fix, but refacing was the game-changer.
Our Cabinet Refacing Process (2013)
The process was much faster than I expected. On the first day, all of our appliances were removed and the demo began.
As part of the process, we added a whole new wall of cabinet boxes above the stove to improve function.
The new breakfast bar was also put in place.
By the second day, the new countertops had arrived and were installed. We chose Wilsonart’s Deepstar Slate, a budget-friendly laminate with the look of natural stone. At the same time, veneer was carefully applied to the cabinet boxes.
On the third day, the new cabinet doors and drawer fronts were installed. We chose white shaker-style doors with a beadboard accent, which instantly brightened the space. Hardware, trim, caulk, and silicone were added to polish everything off.
Finally, on day four, our electrician installed the new stove and over-the-range microwave, and we rolled the refrigerator back into place. Just like that, in less than a week, we had a completely transformed kitchen.
Before and After Cabinet Refacing Photos
These photos are from our first home in 2013
I also added a peel-and-stick backsplash and a few other touches to add some color.
The difference was incredible—bright, functional, and so much more welcoming.
Cost of Cabinet Refacing vs. Replacement
One of the biggest surprises was cost. The entire refacing project cost less than our bathroom renovation, and with 0% financing, it felt manageable.
Here’s a quick comparison:
| Remodel Option | Average Cost (10×10 Kitchen) | Timeline | Our Experience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Painting | $200 – $800 (DIY) | 2–5 days | We tried this first |
| Refacing | $6,000 – $15,000 | 3–7 days | Ours took 4 days, under bathroom reno budget |
| Replacement | $15,000 – $50,000+ | 4–8 weeks | Double or more the cost of refacing |
Upgrades That Made a Big Difference
We extended the cabinets above the stove so they lined up with the others. We also added a breakfast bar where our small IKEA table once sat, creating a more functional gathering spot. The shaker-style doors gave us a fresh new look while adding smarter storage options. We also updated appliances, including the stove and microwave, which completed the transformation.
Design Choices
- Cabinet Doors: White shaker with beadboard detail
- Countertops: Wilsonart Deepstar Slate
- Hardware: Brushed nickel pulls and knobs
- Lighting: Added pendant lights for warmth
- Backsplash: Peel-and-stick tile for a quick, budget-friendly finish
FAQs About Cabinet Refacing
Most kitchens are completed in 3–5 days. Ours took four.
Typically $6,000–$15,000 depending on size and finishes.
Yes – quality refacing can last 20+ years.
Definitely. Buyers love a move-in-ready kitchen.
If your cabinet boxes are damaged or poorly built, replacement is better. Also, if you need to significantly change the layout, you’ll need new cabinets.
Looking Back (2013 vs. Today)
For our first home, cabinet refacing was the perfect solution for a tight budget. In our current home, a full remodel gave us complete design freedom. Both were right for their time, which shows there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.
Want to see how our style has evolved? Check out our full kitchen remodel in our current home for a complete before-and-after with new cabinetry.
Reface or Replace But NEVER PAINT. The paint will inevitably peel if you don’t strip, sand, and prime beforehand — a lengthy process… Not worth it. You won’t be happy with the results. Even the highest-quality paint job can’t hide damaged cabinets. Refacing can work miracles, especially when coupled with new cabinet hardware. Your kitchen is beautiful Jenna.
Wow, what a great before and after picture! Kitchen refacing really makes your kitchen look like brand new for so much less than all new cabinets. I’d just be careful on the financing. If you don’t pay it off by the 0% term (24 months), the big box store wins for sure!
Paul….I know, you’re so right. The APR skyrockets to about 23% after the 24 months! Luckily, we’ve got most of it paid off already. Tax refunds are the best! :-)
Love the new kitchen. You could add a jar of lemons to brighten it up!
Hi Jenna, I am really intrested in your experience with Home Depot. We have a child and another on way. Just don’t have the money or energy for a total re-do. Did you like home depot? Did you price out a full kitchen (with new cabinets)? Did it cost a lot to build the new cabinets? (We would like to add a large pantry). Also, did you go with laminate counters (vs. granite)? Ok…enough questions!
Hi Jessica!
We’ve had a really great experience with Home Depot. They did our bathroom remodel too :-) They subcontract out to local companies, so I’m sure not everyone has the same experience. However, the two companies we worked with for both our bathroom and kitchen were really great. The Home Depot quote for the kitchen came in at almost half the cost of a traditional kitchen re-model. We were initially tempted to buy cabinets from Ikea and install them ourselves, but just didn’t want to deal with the hassle. This whole process took about 12 weeks from the initial sale to the finished kitchen!
The additional cabinets actually didn’t cost that much extra. They had some deal where if we bought two we got a third for free. The sales guys are pretty good at figuring out the cheapest way to go. We told him what he could afford and he figured out a way to get everything we wanted! We did get laminate countertops (the granite would have been an additional $3000). I have to say….it’s the best laminate I’ve ever seen! We’ve had so many compliments on it!
I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions! :-)
Jenna
Hi Jenna,
Thanks for the great post. I have been going back and forth on whether to paint my cabinets, or have them refaced by Home Depot. You pictures and description really edges me towards having Home Depot reface them. Your after looks great. My kitchen is about three times the size of yours(it include a big built in area in my nook). I just wanted to let you know you’ve been very helpful! Enjoy your new kitchen!
Theresa
Thanks Theresa! Good luck with your new kitchen!
Hi Jenna, thanks for sharing your experience! What an awesome after kitchen. Our look very similar to your before pics and definitely have been thinking about an upgrade. What laminate counters did you get??
Cris
Hi Cris! We chose Wilsonart laminate counters in the color Deepstar Slate. They’ve been mistake for granite several times and we’re very happy with them!!
Your kitchen looks awesome! I love the beadboard cabinet doors so pretty!
It’s beautiful! So crisp and clean!
Aww thanks Robyn!!
Jenna