If your kitchen cabinets are looking tired and outdated, you’re not alone. Cabinets are one of the most prominent features in any kitchen, and when they start showing their age, the entire space can feel worn down. The good news is that you don’t necessarily need to invest in a complete cabinet replacement to transform your dream kitchen. Two popular alternatives—cabinet refacing and cabinet refinishing—offer cost-effective ways to breathe new life into your existing cabinets while staying within budget. But which option is right for your home improvement project?
What is Cabinet Refinishing?
Cabinet refinishing is the process of stripping away the existing finish on your cabinet doors and frames, then applying a new stain or paint. This approach works exclusively with your existing cabinet structure and surfaces, making it the more budget-friendly option for homeowners in Los Angeles, Southern California, and beyond.
The refinishing process typically begins with precise measurements and careful preparation. Professional contractors remove all cabinet doors, drawers, and hardware from the job site. The surfaces are then thoroughly cleaned and sanded to remove the old finish and create a smooth base for the new coating. Any imperfections, dents, or scratches are filled and sanded smooth—a few tricks that experienced professionals use to ensure quality results. Finally, the cabinets receive multiple coats of stain or paint in your chosen color, followed by a protective topcoat to ensure durability.
Refinishing works best when your cabinet boxes and doors are in good structural condition and you’re happy with the current style and layout. It’s an excellent choice if you simply want to update the color or refresh a faded finish.
What is Cabinet Refacing?
Cabinet refacing is a more comprehensive transformation that involves replacing cabinet doors, drawer fronts, and hardware while covering the exterior surfaces of the cabinet boxes with new veneer or laminate. Custom cabinet makers and remodeling professionals often recommend this option when homeowners want to change their kitchen’s entire aesthetic without the time and expense of full construction.
New doors—whether traditional shaker style or contemporary flat-panel designs—drawer fronts, and hardware are installed to complete the transformation. This is when homeowners can truly customize their kitchens, selecting from various door styles, colors, and finishes. Many people also take this opportunity to add features like soft-close hinges, pull-out pantries, or upgraded organizational systems that enhance functionality.
Cabinet Refinishing vs Cabinet Refacing Cost
Budget is often the deciding factor between these two options.
Cabinet refinishing is the more economical choice, typically ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 for an average-sized kitchen, depending on the number of doors, drawer fronts, and the type of finish selected. This makes refinishing an attractive option for homeowners working with tighter financial constraints or those planning to sell their home in a few years and looking for a fast, cost-effective cosmetic upgrade.
Cabinet refacing generally represents a moderate investment, with most projects falling between $6,000 and $15,000, and higher-end refacing jobs reaching $18,000 or more when premium veneers, custom doors, or specialty hardware are included. Refacing delivers a more dramatic transformation, often including new doors, upgraded drawer boxes, and modern hardware that improves both aesthetics and functionality. Refinishing, on the other hand, offers excellent value when your cabinets are structurally sound and you’re happy with their existing layout and door style—allowing you to refresh your kitchen at a fraction of the cost of refacing or full replacement.
Design Flexibility: Creating Your Dream Kitchen Space
Refinishing offers limited design changes. You can dramatically alter the color, switching from dark wood tones to crisp white or vice versa, but you’re stuck with the existing door style and overall cabinet configuration. This limitation makes refinishing ideal when you like your current style but want a fresh look for your kitchen space.
Refacing opens up considerably more design possibilities. You can completely change the door style, update from traditional to contemporary aesthetics, incorporate shaker cabinets, add glass-front doors, or create custom bathroom vanities, home bars, and entertainment centers using similar fabrication techniques.
Installation Process & Timelines
The process differs significantly between refinishing and refacing. Refinishing typically involves less disruption since the work can often be completed on-site, though some contractors prefer to take doors to their shop for better control over the finishing process. Because the existing cabinet boxes remain in place, homeowners can usually continue using their kitchen with minimal downtime, and most cabinet refinishing projects are completed within 2 to 5 days, depending on the size of the kitchen and the chosen finish.
Refacing, on the other hand, involves removing cabinet doors and drawer fronts and applying new veneer to exposed surfaces, which adds complexity and time. Cabinet refacing projects generally take 1 to 2 weeks to complete, especially if custom doors or specialty materials are involved. While both options are far less invasive than a full cabinet installation, refinishing is typically the faster option when minimizing disruption and project timelines is a priority.
Making Your Decision
Choosing between refacing and refinishing depends on your needs, budget, time constraints, and design goals. Consider refinishing if your cabinets are structurally sound, you like the current door style, and you simply want to update the color. Opt for refacing if you want to change the style completely, desire custom cabinets quality, and have a moderate budget.
Both cabinet refacing and refinishing offer viable paths to transform your kitchen into the dream space you’ve envisioned, all while working with the precision and quality that professional contractors provide.
If you’d like guidance on which option makes the most sense for your space and budget, we’re here to help. We’ll walk you through the pros, costs, and timelines so there are no surprises. Reach out today for a free quote.