Refacing Your Own Kitchen Cabinets

Refacing Your Own Kitchen Cabinets: A Step-by-Step Guide

Refacing kitchen cabinets is a cost-effective and time-saving way to update the look of your kitchen without the hassle and expense of a complete remodel. With a little planning and effort, you can reface your kitchen cabinets yourself and give your kitchen a fresh, new look.

Step 1: Preparation

Before you begin refacing your kitchen cabinets, you need to prepare the area and gather the necessary materials. This includes:

Removing all the cabinet doors and drawer fronts.
Cleaning the cabinet boxes thoroughly.
Removing any hardware, such as knobs and handles.
Gathering the necessary materials, such as new cabinet doors and drawer fronts, veneer, contact cement, and a saw.

Step 2: Measuring and Cutting the Veneer

Once you have prepared the area and gathered the necessary materials, you need to measure and cut the veneer to size. To do this, you will need to:

Measure the width and height of each cabinet door and drawer front.
Add 1 inch to each measurement to allow for overlap.
Cut the veneer to the desired size using a saw.

Step 3: Applying the Veneer

Once you have cut the veneer to size, you need to apply it to the cabinet doors and drawer fronts. To do this, you will need to:

Apply a thin layer of contact cement to the back of the veneer.
Press the veneer onto the cabinet door or drawer front, starting in the center and working your way out.
Use a roller to smooth out the veneer and remove any air bubbles.

Step 4: Trimming the Veneer

Once you have applied the veneer to the cabinet doors and drawer fronts, you need to trim the excess veneer. To do this, you will need to:

Use a sharp utility knife to score the veneer along the edges of the cabinet door or drawer front.
Fold the veneer back along the score line and press it down.
Use a sharp knife to trim the excess veneer.

Step 5: Reinstalling the Cabinet Doors and Drawer Fronts

Once you have trimmed the veneer, you can reinstall the cabinet doors and drawer fronts. To do this, you will need to:

Align the cabinet doors and drawer fronts with the cabinet boxes.
Screw the cabinet doors and drawer fronts into place.
Reinstall the hardware, such as knobs and handles.

Conclusion

Refacing your kitchen cabinets is a relatively easy and inexpensive way to update the look of your kitchen. With a little planning and effort, you can reface your kitchen cabinets yourself and give your kitchen a fresh, new look in no time.