10 Benefits of Refacing Cabinets

Tired of your outdated kitchen cabinets but dreading the thought of a full kitchen (or bathroom) remodel? Cabinet refacing might be the perfect solution! It’s a cost-effective and eco-friendly way to get a kitchen makeover and create a new look without the cost and disruption of a full renovation.

Instead of tearing out perfectly good kitchen cabinet structures, refacing your cabinets lets you upgrade the cabinet doors and drawer fronts (plus finishes and hardware) while keeping the existing cabinet boxes remain in place. And with so many door styles, colors, and hardware options available, it’s an easy way to personalize your kitchen space and modernize the look of your kitchen.

In this article, we’ll dive into the benefits of refacing and the pros and cons of refacing, so you can weigh your options and decide if a cabinet refacing project is the right fit for updating your kitchen.

1. Saves Money Compared to a Full Replacement

Kitchen remodeling can get expensive fast, and one of the biggest costs is replacing cabinets. But what if you could refresh your kitchen cabinet style and get a new kitchen feel without spending a fortune? That’s where cabinet refacing comes in.

How Much Can You Save?

On average, a full cabinet replacement can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $25,000 or more, depending on your number of cabinets, materials, and labor. If you opt for a new set of cabinets or custom work, that number can climb quickly.

On the other hand, the cost of refacing is often lower—typically between $4,000 and $9,000—making kitchen cabinet refacing a realistic option for many homeowners who want impact without a full kitchen cabinet replacement.

Why Is Refacing Cheaper?

With refacing cabinets, you keep the cabinet boxes and cabinet frames you already have. Instead of swapping the entire cabinet, refacing updates what you see and touch: the cabinet doors, drawer fronts and cabinet doors, plus veneer or finish panels on the frames.

Because the cabinet boxes remain in place, there’s less demolition, less material, and less labor—one reason cabinet refacing is a cost-effective choice.

You can also refresh your existing kitchen by swapping hardware, adding soft-close hinges, or upgrading storage (like pull-out shelves) without committing to complete cabinet replacement.

A High-End Look

Cabinet refacing offers the same clean, updated style you’d get with new cabinets throughout—but without the major price tag. Whether you want modern, classic, or something in between, refaced kitchen cabinets can give you that “wow” factor with a smaller investment.

So, if you’re looking for a smart, budget-friendly way to give your kitchen a fresh upgrade, it’s hard to beat the value of refacing your cabinets.

2. Less Time-Consuming Than a Full Remodel

If you’ve ever lived through a full kitchen remodel, you know it can feel like an eternity. Between demolition, ordering, and installation, even one new cabinet delay can push timelines out weeks—sometimes months. And during that time, your kitchen out of commission can mean takeout dinners, dishes in the bathroom sink, and a house that feels like a construction zone.

With kitchen cabinet refacing, you can avoid that chaos and still get a dramatic kitchen update. Most refacing projects take about 3 to 5 days from start to finish, because there’s no major demo and no waiting on full cabinet orders.

Since the existing cabinets and existing cabinet boxes stay put, contractors focus on the exterior upgrades—installing new door fronts, updating surfaces, and finishing touches—so you can keep using your kitchen much more normally.

3. Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Choice

If you’re updating your kitchen (or bathroom) and want to reduce waste, cabinet refacing is an eco-friendly alternative to full cabinet replacement. It works because the cabinet structure stays in place, instead of getting ripped out and tossed.

Less Waste

When you do a full replacement, old materials often end up in the landfill—wood, hardware, and other pieces from old cabinets. With refacing instead, you keep what already works and upgrade the look.

Fewer Materials

Because existing cabinet boxes remain, you use fewer raw materials than you would with kitchen cabinet replacement. Refacing focuses on cabinet doors and drawer fronts, veneers, and finishes—less material, less manufacturing, and less waste.

Sustainable Options

Many professional cabinet refacing services offer sustainable options like:

• FSC-certified wood

• Recycled or reclaimed veneers

• Low-VOC finishes

If sustainability matters to you, that’s one of the most practical benefits of refacing your kitchen.

4. Customizable Style and Design Options

One of the biggest perks of cabinet refacing is flexibility. Whether your goal is a sleek modern kitchen look, a warm farmhouse vibe, or timeless traditional, you can choose a cabinet style that fits your vision.

Because refacing provides options for door profiles, colors, finishes, and hardware, it’s easy to create a new look that feels intentional—without changing the whole room.

5. Maintains the Existing Kitchen Layout

If you like your current kitchen layout and cabinet layout, but the cabinets feel dated, refacing is a smart path forward. Instead of tearing out cabinets and reworking plumbing or electrical, kitchen refacing keeps the structure exactly where it is.

Because the cabinet boxes remain in place and existing cabinet boxes remain, you save money and avoid the domino effect that often comes with moving things around during remodeling your kitchen.

6. Increases Home Value and Appeal

A refreshed kitchen cabinet setup can have an outsized impact on how your home feels—and how it shows to buyers. Since the kitchen is often the first room people judge, upgrading cabinets can make an older home feel updated quickly.

For many homeowners, cabinet refacing is a great way to boost appeal without the cost of a complete remodel, helping the space look clean, modern, and move-in ready.

7. Less Mess and Disruption

Because refacing your cabinets doesn’t require ripping out cabinet boxes, it usually means less dust, less debris, and fewer days of disruption. Appliances typically stay in place, and your countertops often remain untouched—ideal for busy households that don’t want a long renovation.

8. Durability and Longevity

Refacing isn’t just cosmetic. A well-done cabinet refacing project can extend the life of your cabinets by refreshing worn surfaces and adding new, protective finishes.

And depending on your material choices (wood veneer, laminate, thermofoil), refacing can create a durable surface that stands up to everyday use in the kitchen.

9. Allows for Functional Upgrades

A refacing project is also a perfect time to add upgrades that make daily life easier—soft-close hinges, better organization, roll-out trays, or modern drawer systems.

Even if you’re not changing the cabinet layout, small tweaks can noticeably improve how your cabinets in your kitchen work for you.

10. Works for Both Kitchens and Bathrooms

While this guide focuses on kitchen cabinet refacing, the same approach can work in bathrooms, laundry rooms, mudrooms, and built-ins. If your bathroom vanity or storage cabinets are structurally solid, refacing can bring them back to life without a full remodel.

It’s also a great way to create a consistent style across multiple spaces—especially if you’re working toward a cohesive home upgrade.

Final Thoughts: Understanding Cabinet Refacing (and the Pros and Cons)

Cabinet refacing is one of the simplest ways to upgrade your kitchen without the cost, timeline, or disruption of a full renovation. If your existing cabinets are in good shape and the cabinet structure is solid, refacing can deliver a dramatic kitchen makeover in just a few days.

That said, it’s still smart to weigh the pros and cons. The biggest benefits of refacing come when your cabinet boxes are sturdy and your layout works. But there are also cons of cabinet refacing to keep in mind: refacing won’t fix structural issues, major water damage, or an outdated layout that doesn’t function for your household. In those cases, a complete cabinet replacement may be the better long-term move.

If you’re happy with your layout and want a fresh look fast, reface your kitchen cabinets—it’s often the most practical path to a more updated home.

Anna C

Anna has over six years of experience in the home services and journalism industries and serves as the Content Manager at MyHomePros.com, specializing in making complex home improvement topics like HVAC, roofing, and plumbing accessible to all. With a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Auburn University, she excels in crafting localized, comprehensive guides that cater to homeowners’ unique needs. Living on both coasts of the United States has equipped her with a distinctive perspective, fueling her passion for turning any house into a cherished home through informed, personalized decision-making.