How to Replace Cabinet Doors for an Instant Kitchen Update
Update your kitchen cabinets with a worthy makeover.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
- TOTAL TIME: 20 – 30 mins
- YIELD: Replace one cabinet door
- SKILL LEVEL: Beginner
- ESTIMATED COST: $50 to $100
If you’re considering replacing your kitchen cabinets, but the cost and work seem too much, consider replacing just the cabinet doors. When you replace kitchen cabinet doors, the results look the same as a full replacement, but you save a lot of time and money. This simple project replaces single-leaf kitchen cabinet doors and takes about 30 minutes.
What is a closed cabinet?
Kitchen cabinets are a popular type of kitchen cabinet with doors that cover part or all of the cabinet frame.
When to Replace Kitchen Cabinet Doors
Replace kitchen cabinet doors if the kitchen cabinet frame is still structurally sound but only the door needs to be replaced. If the cabinet frame is warped, uneven, or the veneer is peeling, it may be time to install new kitchen cabinets.
What You’ll Need
Equipment / Tools
- Electric drill
- Phillips screwdriver
- Forstner bit (35 mm or 1-3/8-inch)
- Straightedge
- Tape measure
- Pencil
Materials
- Cabinet door
- Cabinet handles
- 2 concealed hinges
Instructions
01 Measure for a New Door
Measure the width and height of the cabinet door. Next, determine your desired overlay width. Overlay widths range from 1/2 to 1-1/2 inches, with a common overlay width of 1/2 inch. Double the width of the overlay and add it to the width and height. So, for a cabinet with a 14″ x 26″ door opening and 1/2″ trim, the door would need to be 15″ wide and 27″ tall.
Tip
Or use the height and width of an existing cabinet door. If you intend to keep the trim intact, doubling the size of the old door is the most reliable way to determine the size of the new cabinet door.
02 Remove the Cabinet Door
Using a hand screwdriver or a power drill with a bit, remove the cabinet door hinges from the cabinet frame. Remove the hinges and set them aside if you intend to reuse them.
Tip
Keep old cabinet doors in good condition from being thrown into the landfill by donating them to your local Habitat for Humanity ReStore.1 You can also sell or donate doors on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace.
03 Paint the Cabinet (Optional)
Cabinet frames and sides may need to be repainted to match the new cabinet doors. In this case, paint the cabinets immediately after removing the doors. This will give the paint more time to dry before installing the new door.
04 Bore the Hinge Holes
Using a drill bit, a Forstner bit, and a hidden hinge mold, drill holes in the cabinet door for the hidden hinge. Use the old cabinet door as a guide for where to drill holes in the new door. Or, if you are installing new locations, the hinge holes on 1/2″ thick overlay cabinets should be 3-1/2″ on center at the top and bottom.
05 Attach the Hinges to the Door
Open the door hinge. Insert the cup of one of the loops into the loop hole. Use the included screws and a manual or electric crank to attach the hinge to the door. Start with pilot holes to avoid splitting the wood. Repeat the same for the other loop.
Tip
Make sure the hinge is aligned by pressing the speed square against the edge of the mounting plate on the hinge side.
06 Mark the Mounting Plate Locations on the Cabinet
Mark a line 2-1/4 inches from the edge of the cabinet inside the cabinet. Measure 3-1/2 inches from the bottom of the cabinet and mark a line. Repeat, measuring 3-1/2 inches from the top and making a mark.
07 Install the Mounting Plates on the Cabinet
Remove the cabinet side mounting plates from their hinges. Attach the mounting plates to the marked locations on the cabinet.
08 Attach the door to the closet
Place the door onto the hinge and tighten the screws to secure the hinge in place.
09 Install the Cabinet Handles
Install the cabinet handle onto the cabinet door.
