Tips for choosing the right type of door for your kitchen
Consider your budget
Install your doors yourself – it’s easy!
Think about the style of your kitchen
Decide on the material you want
Choose a size and shape that fits your space perfectly
Some popular door styles include sliding doors, French doors (with and without panes), and pocket doors with a lock & key system. There’s a style that will suit just about any kitchen!
How to replace kitchen cabinet doors
Tips on replacing kitchen cabinet doors
Do you have damaged kitchen cabinet doors that need to be replaced? Are you having a hard time deciding whether or not it’s worth it to replace them yourself, or if it would be easier and less expensive to hire someone else to do it for you? Read on for some helpful tips that will help you decide. You may just find out that replacing your own kitchen cabinet doors isn’t as difficult as you might think!
Remove the Current Doors
The first step in replacing kitchen cabinet doors is removing the current ones. You might be surprised how simple it can be. Just use a screwdriver to pop out each hinge, then remove each door. Be sure to measure one last time before you buy your new doors, as you’ll have to know where they go once they arrive.
Adjust the Doors
If you’re replacing your doors, you have a couple of options. First, you can simply replace them with a better set of cabinets, then slap on new door fronts that are more stylish and updated than what came with your current cabinets. The downside to doing it like that is that it’s relatively expensive because you’re paying for both new cabinets and new doors.
Measure your cabinets before heading out to buy new cabinets
Chances are, there’s at least a little bit of space between your current cabinets and your countertop. If that gap is more than about 2 inches, it might be worth going for new doors it could make your kitchen look bigger or give you some extra storage room. The next thing to measure is how deep you have to go before you get to the cabinet-ready wall.
Gather the right tools
Before you get started, make sure you have all of your tools handy. If you’re replacing existing doors and drawers, chances are good that they’ll be in good enough shape to use again. Just make sure they’re not bent or damaged in any way. But if they need to be replaced too, there are a few things to remember: do NOT use particle board; it’s flimsy and will chip easily.
Make sure your wood is dry
If you plan to replace your cabinet doors, you have a few options. If your doors are still in good shape but just look dated, consider staining them for a subtle update.
Use a stain that’s darker than your wood you can always add more layers if you don’t like how it looks. Another option is to paint your cabinets and replace their hardware with modern pieces.
Secure the panels in place using glue and screws
Before securing your new cabinet doors to your kitchen cabinets, make sure you’ve cleaned and sanded them down. Attach them using screws and glue, depending on which type of doors you have.
If you’re using flat-panel doors, lay them out on a flat surface before securing them in place. However, if you are using raised panel or cabinet-style doors, attach them by laying them vertically onto each door opening of your cabinets.
Consider painting your cabinets
Painting your cabinets is one of those quick, inexpensive makeovers that can really change up a kitchen. However, it does require you to have an old set of cabinets. If you’re looking for something more drastic, consider changing out cabinet fronts completely (you’ll need new ones).
You could also just replace some of them if you want a different look in just part of your kitchen. The bottom line: there are lots of ways to give your kitchen a facelift without breaking the bank!
Save money by installing your own door hinges
Installing your own door hinges can be an easy way to make your kitchen look brand new for a fraction of what you’d pay for new doors.
To get started, you’ll need a few basic tools and supplies. You’ll also need someone to help you hold things in place while you screw them in.
Or, just go down to your local hardware store and hire someone on their staff to install it for you. Be sure they have enough experience with installing cabinets before signing any agreements.
Choose hardware carefully
When you’re buying new doors, it’s important to not just replace your cabinet doors with any old set. You want them to reflect your style and match your existing home décor.
Hardware comes in several different finishes; for example, brass is gold-colored, antique bronze is a dark brown/bronze color, and brushed nickel is a silvery gray/white.
Get assistance if needed
You may not want to replace all of your cabinets, and that’s okay. If that’s how you feel, hire a contractor who will replace some of them for you. If you don’t want to or can’t afford to have someone do it, do what I did: ask family and friends if anyone has any old doors lying around their garage.
Where to buy kitchen cabinets doors only
What are some of the most common reasons why kitchen cabinet doors fail?
- Check for leaky faucets and appliances: Water damage can be caused by leaky faucets or appliances, so it’s important to check for any signs of water damage in your kitchen cabinet doors. If you notice any signs of water damage, immediately remedy the situation.
- Keep hinges and screws clean and lubricated: Hinges and screws can corrode over time, so it’s important to keep them clean and lubricated. This will help to prevent the door from failing prematurely.
- Make sure handles are accessible: If your kitchen cabinet doors have handles on them, make sure extension cords don’t block the opening of the cabinet door when you try to open it from the inside – this can stop you from being able to operate the handle!
- Check door tracks for warping or misshapenness: A warped or misshapen door track can cause the door to malfunction. If you notice any signs of warping or misshapenness, have the door replaced as soon as possible.
How do I choose the right door for my kitchen?
- The size of your new door
Make sure the new door is big enough to fit the style of your old one and that the hinges will be able to handle the weight of the door. - The style of your old door
If your old door is a swing door, go for a swing door hinge as they are more compact in size. If your old door is fixed panels, then go for a fixed panel hinge. - Half-height cabinet or less
For kitchen cabinets with half-height or less, go for swing doors as they are more compact in size. - Standard height cabinet
For kitchen cabinets that are standard height, go for fixed panels as they offer more stability and look neater.