When you consider a kitchen remodel, do you think of complete demo? When it comes to transforming your kitchen without a full gut, your cabinets are your biggest opportunity. Instead of ripping out perfectly good cabinet boxes, consider the transformative power of cabinet refacing or refinishing.

Cabinet Refacing

This highly effective method involves replacing your existing cabinet doors and drawer fronts with brand new ones, often in a different style, color, or material. You can opt for modern Shaker, sleek flat panel, or traditional raised panel designs. With refacing, you also get new hinges (often soft-close!), and new veneer can be applied to the existing cabinet boxes to perfectly match your new doors. This gives you the look and feel of brand new cabinets at a fraction of the cost and time of a full replacement.
- Why it works: You keep your existing layout and internal storage, avoiding plumbing, electrical, and flooring changes typically associated with a demo. The transformation is dramatic, but the process is contained and efficient.

Cabinet Refinishing

If your current cabinet doors are in good condition but you simply want a new color, refinishing is your answer. This involves thoroughly cleaning, sanding, priming, and painting or staining your existing cabinet doors and frames. It’s a highly cost-effective way to update the aesthetic.
- Why it works: It’s the most budget-friendly option for a color change and can often be a DIY project for ambitious homeowners, though professional results are best achieved by specialists.

By choosing refacing or refinishing, you bypass the mess and expense of a demolition. This prevent valuable cabinets from ending up in a landfill. This will dramatically alter the look of your kitchen in a fraction of the time. Check out our FAQ to get more information about refacing vs refinishing!

Beyond the Cabinets: Easy Upgrades for a Complete Makeover

Once your cabinets are looking fresh, a few other simple, no-demo updates can truly complete your kitchen’s transformation.

New Appliances: This might seem like an obvious one, but upgrading your refrigerator, range, dishwasher, and microwave can instantly elevate your kitchen’s functionality and aesthetic. Modern appliances often boast sleek designs, smart features, and energy efficiency that can make a surprising difference in the overall feel of your space. Stainless steel, black stainless, or even custom panel-ready appliances can tie into your new design scheme beautifully.
Custom Crown Molding: Don’t underestimate the impact of architectural details! Adding custom crown molding above your wall cabinets can give your kitchen a high-end, custom-built look. Whether you choose a stained wood to match new cabinet doors or paint it to blend seamlessly with existing cabinetry, crown molding adds a polished finish that draws the eye upward and completes the cabinet-to-ceiling transition. It’s an affordable detail that makes a significant difference.
Hardware: Swapping out old knobs and pulls for new ones is perhaps the quickest and most impactful change you can make. From modern matte black pulls to classic brushed brass knobs, new hardware is like jewelry for your cabinets, instantly updating their style.
Lighting: Dated lighting can drag down even the most refreshed kitchen. Consider updating pendant lights over an island, installing new flush mounts, or adding under-cabinet LED strip lighting. Improved lighting can dramatically brighten your space and highlight your new finishes.
Backsplash: While it might involve a little more effort than hardware, a new backsplash doesn’t require cabinet demo. Peel-and-stick tiles, updated subway tile, or a classic mosaic can dramatically change the texture and color palette of your kitchen walls.
Fresh Paint: A new coat of paint on the walls can tie all your new elements together. Choose a color that complements your new cabinet finishes and overall design vision.

You don’t need a sledgehammer to achieve your dream kitchen. By strategically refacing or refinishing your cabinets and incorporating a few key, easy-to-implement updates like new appliances and custom crown molding, you can enjoy a stunning, transformed kitchen without the typical renovation chaos. With the money and time you save, you can add other custom features that add function as well as beauty. Watch our video on upgrades on our FAQ/videos page which can provide other ideas for custom features! Get ready to fall in love with your “new” kitchen all over again! Check out our portfolio for more ideas!

Cabinet Refacing or Refinishing: Your Secret Weapon Against Demo