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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.
Hi there, could you please let me know where you get the white shaker door cabinet as I am thinking to change one of mine that just got burned. I couldn’t find it anywhere on the net, just saw this and thought I should ask you. Thanks. – Nor
Hi Nor, we got them at Home Depot.
Hi Jenna,
Your kitchen turned out so beautiful with a clean look. Love those white shaker style cabinet doors and drawer pulls.
Nice!Thank you for sharing This post.
Hi, Jenna. Your kitchen looks great! I have a question – how durable have the new fronts been? How are they holding up? It looks like it’s been a few years since you had the refacing done. Thanks!
Hi Wendy Ann! We actually sold that house last July but at that point they were still in perfect shape! We were very happy with how they turned out and they added a lot of value to our house!
I live in a Cape Cod in PA. Your old kitchen layout looks like my current kitchen, with the stove shoved right in the corner. I’ve been trying to plan the best layout in such a small, heavily used space.
OMG – your old kitchen look almost exactly like mine (even the weired windy thing above the window and the hard-ware is the exact same). I too went to home depot, but not for re-facing – for a complete makeover – because I needed to change location of appliances and add a dishwasher, smaller sink, etc… but after a lot of back and forth, they measured and said they couldn’t install it, cause my home has Adobe Brick walls and they were scared the kitchen wouldn’t hold (odd, because the current kitchen obviously held up over 50 years). So, I’m now looking at changing just the doors (which have bent out of shape and don’t close anymore). So sad. I want your kitchen!!!
Oh Anne, what a bummer! Home Depot will totally replace your doors, if you’re still looking to go that route!