How to Replace Kitchen Cabinets Door Fronts

Number each of your cabinets before you start taking measurements. You want to keep the sizes and measurements organized to minimize confusion when purchasing the new doors. Start at one side of the kitchen, and work clockwise. Use a pencil to mark the inside of the cabinet if you need help remembering.

Measure each cabinet door for the width, height and thickness of the door. Write the measurements down by the corresponding cabinet base numbers. Then, measure the placement of the hinges from the top of the door and from the bottom of the door if you plan to use the same hinges.

Decide on the type of wood, the stain and the front style you want for your new doors. Typically, lighter-colored woods brighten a small kitchen, making it seem larger. On the other hand, darker woods hide kitchen dirt better. If you plan to keep the base cabinets untouched, try to match the wood types and colors as closely as possible.

Use the old doors as templates for the placement of the hinge screws on the new doors. Drill pilot holes to prevent the doors from cracking. If the new doors overhang differently than the old doors, clamp a straightedge to the bottom of the cabinets and set the new doors in place, resting on the straightedge. Tape them in place with masking tape at the top, and adjust their placement until they sit perfectly aligned. Mark the screw holes with a pencil to match up with the hinge placements.

Attach the new cabinet doors to the existing cabinet bases, matching up the numbers. Use an electric drill to make short work of screwing all the hinges in place. Remove the straightedge if used, as well as any masking tape.

Measure and mark for your handles or pulls, and install according to the hardware types, checking for level application with the other cabinets, predrilling the holes and then attaching the hardware.