Refacing vs. Replacing: Which is Right for Your Kitchen?
We recently had someone visit the studio grappling with a common kitchen dilemma: Should they reface their old cabinets or replace them entirely? It’s a tough decision, so let’s break it down.
Refacing involves swapping out your cabinet doors and drawer fronts, giving the visible parts of your kitchen a fresh new look while keeping the original cabinet frames, boxes, and interiors intact. While refacing provides a cosmetic update, the underlying materials remain the same. As a result, they’re still subject to wear and aging, meaning you’ll eventually need to replace them. If your kitchen design is functional, and your cabinets are well-maintained and structurally sound, refacing can be a realistic option.
Replacing, on the other hand, allows you to do more than just update the appearance. It gives you all-new cabinet materials, which typically have a longer lifespan thanks to modern, more durable construction techniques. This approach also offers the freedom to redesign your cabinet layout. Maybe you’ve always wanted your microwave in a more convenient spot, or you dream of a large utility drawer for pots and pans. With a full replacement, you can also consider things like extending the cabinets to the ceiling for extra storage or replacing traditional cabinets with pot drawers for easier access.
In our client’s case, they wanted to keep the footprint of their current kitchen mostly the same. For their 12′ x 9′ kitchen, the quotes they received for refacing were just under $10,000. However, replacing their cabinets cost just over $10,000, factoring in the kitchen size, cabinet choice, and a few minor adjustments to resolve functional issues that had bothered them for years.
When comparing the cost of replacing vs. refacing, refacing may initially seem like a tempting, cost-effective option. However, it’s worth considering the long-term benefits of replacing. With replacement, you gain more creative freedom to fix existing issues, add features you’ve always wanted, and enjoy a fully customized space that will serve you for years to come.
When it comes to creating your dream kitchen, why settle for a simple facelift? Before deciding to reface, get a quote for a full remodel—you might be pleasantly surprised by the possibilities!