See How Refaced Cabinets Brighten This Dated Kitchen
By updating the cabinets, countertop and backsplash, designers help a homeowner create a fresh, modern style on a budget
In 2007, this Philadelphia homeowner, a nurse practitioner, moved into her 1850s-built brownstone townhouse shortly after it had been converted into several apartments. She was never keen on what she felt was a basic kitchen with conservative finishes consisting mostly of shades of brown. But because everything was new and she liked the layout, she decided to live with it.
A decade later and with no plans to move anytime soon, she decided to give the kitchen the face-lift she’d always wanted. By refacing the existing cabinets and adding a new countertop and backsplash — and keeping the layout the same — she was able to dramatically alter the look and feel of the kitchen while keeping costs down.
A decade later and with no plans to move anytime soon, she decided to give the kitchen the face-lift she’d always wanted. By refacing the existing cabinets and adding a new countertop and backsplash — and keeping the layout the same — she was able to dramatically alter the look and feel of the kitchen while keeping costs down.
Before Photo
After: The existing oak cabinets were good quality, so the homeowner chose to reface them instead of installing new cabinets, a design move that cut her costs about in half.
The design team at Kitchen Magic removed the original warped drawers and cabinet doors. The homeowner then chose a new style of drawer and door front that features a more severe, squared-off Shaker-style edge than the original rounded-trim piece. She chose a crisp white color for the upper cabinets and a grayish navy blue for the lowers.
With the doors and drawers removed, the original cabinet boxes were given a light sanding, then wiped clean. The design team applied colored laminate veneer to the boxes with adhesive. With the new drawers and doors installed, the cabinets look brand-new.
The design team at Kitchen Magic removed the original warped drawers and cabinet doors. The homeowner then chose a new style of drawer and door front that features a more severe, squared-off Shaker-style edge than the original rounded-trim piece. She chose a crisp white color for the upper cabinets and a grayish navy blue for the lowers.
With the doors and drawers removed, the original cabinet boxes were given a light sanding, then wiped clean. The design team applied colored laminate veneer to the boxes with adhesive. With the new drawers and doors installed, the cabinets look brand-new.
The homeowner wanted a clean, simple backsplash but knew she didn’t want subway tile because she felt it had become too common. Instead, she chose a ceramic tile featuring a random pattern of light and dark rectangular pieces in different sizes.
The new cabinet hardware is brushed nickel.
Shop for nickel cabinet door and drawer pulls
The new cabinet hardware is brushed nickel.
Shop for nickel cabinet door and drawer pulls
With the money she saved refacing the cabinets, the homeowner splurged on quartz countertops with a waterfall edge at the breakfast bar, which separates the kitchen from the dining area.
The homeowner had originally chosen a quartz with more colors and dimension but eventually decided it looked too pronounced. She turned to something more simple and unfussy but with some dimension in it with shades of gray that work well with the blue cabinets.
The homeowner says the whole process took about six weeks to complete, and she’s looking forward to enjoying her new kitchen for at least another decade.
More on Houzz
How to Reface Your Old Kitchen Cabinets
Read about other remodeled kitchens
Find a kitchen designer
Shop for kitchen and dining products
The homeowner says the whole process took about six weeks to complete, and she’s looking forward to enjoying her new kitchen for at least another decade.
More on Houzz
How to Reface Your Old Kitchen Cabinets
Read about other remodeled kitchens
Find a kitchen designer
Shop for kitchen and dining products
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A nurse practitioner
Location: Philadelphia
Size: 140 square feet (13 square meters); 14 by 10 feet
Design consultant: Joe Rayesky of Kitchen Magic
Before: The homeowner felt the mid-tone oak cabinets, floor and granite countertop were too basic and blended together too much. The apartment has an open layout, so she wanted the kitchen to look brighter, nicer and be a little more fun.
Find a kitchen designer near you who can help reface your cabinets