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Tips for replacing cabinet doors?

5 years ago

I don't like the color and style of my new kitchen cabinets but the cabinet boxes and hinges are all in great shape and very good quality. I am thinking of having the bases/trim/molding painted a brighter white and then replacing all of the cabinet doors and drawer fronts with pre-painted white shakers from barker door.


Have you done something like this before? Do you think it will look alright? How difficult is it to remove the doors and hinges and put on new doors? Tips?


(The pictures makes the cabinets look very white, but they aren't. They are more of a cream/yellowish color)



Comments (17)

  • PRO
    5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    When you say "New", do you mean you just remodeled this kitchen and don't like it? Or new being...you just bought a new house and the kitchen isn't to your liking? Either way, replacing all the fronts is not cheap. First, Find out who the manufacturer is or the cabinet dealer where it was purchased. Take photos...print out photos. Then label each cabinet (on the printout) with the cabinet width x height.. ie. 18" wide x 39" high". Take it to the dealer and have them quote a shaker door in the same finish or get a factory finish with the brighter white...and then paint the boxes to match. A factory finish is more durable.

    Or live with it! :-) 99% of people would probably love to have this kitchen.

  • 5 years ago

    crcollins1 I was worried about the look of combining shaker with the existing columns. I've seen a few photos though that look okay. But that has me questioning if just having everything painted a brighter white might be a better option. I was quoted $1.5K for a professional to paint the cabinet bases, $5k for pre painted new doors. It will probably add up to about the same to just paint everything.



  • 5 years ago

    Just because someone has done it doesn't make it a good idea. I don't think it looks right, but its your kitchen. :)

    Those prices seem quite low to paint all those cabinets. Make sure they know what they're doing.

  • 5 years ago

    Gorgeous kitchen. Those cabinets and the trims and moldings at the top are really beautiful. Cabinets with applied molding like yours can be really pricey. I would love to know the brand If you don’t mind. Look inside a drawer side.


    shaker cabinets have been in style so long I really wonder when the pendulum will swing back and this style of cabinets will become more popular again.


    may I ask what you don’t like about the style? Do they feel too fussy? If that is it, I wonder if you might tame the fussiness by switching to a plainer backsplash and island stone. just me but no way I would paint those beautiful cabinets or try to replace the doors and drawers.

  • 5 years ago

    @ILoveRed It mostly the color that I don't like. The cabinets are really more of a cream/yellow, not white.


    I do agree that the island and backsplash are busy but I think is everything was actually white it might look tamer. I think replacing the backsplash or marble counter will be more expensive than replacing cabinet doors or having them painted.

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    If you want to replace those doors with shaker style, you have allot more to replace if you want it to match the doors. Crown, base, hood, etc.

  • 5 years ago

    @User Quote was to paint (prep and spray) the exterior of the cabinet bases, hood, island, molding, etc. NOT the cabinet doors/entire kitchen. I will remove the cabinet doors myself prior to painting. $1.5k still too low for that?

  • 5 years ago

    Your cabinets look rich, classic, gorgeous, IMHO, but I don’t live there. I do fear shaker doors simply cannot be made look right in that space. Your decorative elements just won’t go “farmhouse” or “shaker” or any of the other trends du jour. What I do not quite care for are the TWO different countertops — one warm, the other neutral — with a cold, odd backsplash that, again IMHO, needs to go. And one of the countertops needs to be swapped for something that better coordinates, though both are beautiful and classic. As to the shade of white or cream, this may be a matter of simply adjusting the bulbs to something in a cooler range. Others here can better advise on the right temperature. If you really cannot live with that kitchen, you might be better served by selling those cabinets, as someone else will want them, and applying that cash to a full remodel. Good luck.

  • 5 years ago

    Try switching to a daylight bulb, 3500 to 4000 K.

  • 5 years ago

    Maybe paint the green walls adjacent to the kitchen a new color (a shade of white?) rather than painting the cabinets. They really are quite beautiful. Everything about your kitchen is nice, frankly.

  • 5 years ago

    I would leave the greenish walls. It gives the room a bit of personality. I agree, the countertops do not look good together. I would keep the ones on the main cabinets, and get rid of the one on the island, since its too busy and doesnt seem to go with the room at all. I dont mind the backsplash. I also agree, change out your light bulbs to led daylight 4000k before you do anything. You just might find out your cabinet color is more to your liking. Its a very nice kitchen.

  • 5 years ago

    The only thing I'd change is the backsplash. The dark grout and busy tile over the stove is really a lot going on and very distracting. I think painting the cabinets solid white would look nice, but I don't know if the cost would be justified. It'll still be a traditional style kitchen but with white cabinets instead of cream. I think a calmer countertop would be nice, but again maybe not enough bang for your buck.

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    I see a disconnect between the cabinets and the countertops/backsplash. The cabinets are creamy (warm) but the countertops/backsplash are white/black/gray (cool).

    Painting all cabinets a clear, clean white might fix the disconnect. But I’m not sure if that would be cheaper than replacing the countertops/backsplash with something warm.

    Regardless, I think your cabinets are beautiful.

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