How to Replace Kitchen Doors | Without Replacing Cabinets 2026

Replacing kitchen doors is one of the most cost-effective ways to refresh a tired kitchen without the mess, cost, or downtime of a full renovation. If your cabinet carcasses are solid, learning How to Replace Kitchen Doors can give you a modern, custom look in a weekend—often at a fraction of the price of a new kitchen.

First, measure your old cabinet doors carefully. Remove the old doors using a screwdriver. Clean the cabinet frames. Attach new hinges to the new doors. Align the doors with the cabinet and screw them in place. Adjust hinges for perfect fitting. Finally, install handles or knobs and check that all doors open and close smoothly.

In this in-depth guide, you’ll learn how to replace kitchen doors step by step, from measuring and choosing styles to fitting hinges, aligning doors, and finishing touches. This tutorial is written for homeowners and DIYers first—clear, practical, and realistic—while still following SEO best practices.

Why Replace Kitchen Doors Instead of the Whole Kitchen?

Before diving into tools and measurements, it’s worth understanding why so many homeowners choose door replacement (often called kitchen refacing) instead of full replacement.

Benefits of Replacing Kitchen Cabinet Doors

• Lower cost than a new kitchen
  
• Minimal disruption (no plumbing or electrical work)
  
• Faster turnaround (1–2 days for installation)
  
• Eco-friendly (reuse existing cabinet carcasses)
  
• Huge choice of styles, finishes, and materials
  

If your cabinet boxes are square, solid, and securely fixed, replacing cupboard Replace cabinet doors can deliver a “new kitchen” look with far less effort.

Replace Kitchen Cabinet Doors: Is Your Kitchen Suitable?

First, check if your cabinet frames are strong and undamaged. Measure door sizes carefully. Make sure hinges fit your cabinet type. Confirm your budget and style choice. If everything matches, your kitchen is ready for a door replacement.

Not every kitchen is a good candidate. Before you order new doors, check the following.

Check Cabinet Carcasses

Open a few cabinets and inspect the carcasses (cabinet boxes):

• Are they solid and square?
  
• Any water damage or swelling?
  
• Are shelves and fixings secure?
  

If the carcasses are damaged or poorly installed, replacing doors alone may highlight existing problems.

Check Existing Hinges

Most modern kitchens use concealed hinges (35mm cup hinges). If yours do:

• You can often reuse hinge positions
  
• Or upgrade to soft-close hinges easily
  

Older kitchens with surface-mounted hinges may need drilling for new hinge cups.

Measure Kitchen Doors Correctly (Critical Step)

Accurate measuring is the most important part of replacing kitchen doors. One wrong measurement can delay your project or make Replace cabinet doors unusable.

Tools You’ll Need

• Steel tape measure (mm)
  
• Notepad or spreadsheet
  
• Pencil
  
• Camera or phone (for reference photos)

How to Measure Kitchen Cabinet Doors

Measure each door individually—never assume they’re all the same.

1. Measure width (left to right)
2. Measure height (top to bottom)
3. Measure in millimetres
4. Record hinge position (top, bottom, middle)

⚠️ Tip: Measure the existing door, not the cabinet opening.

Example Measurement Table

Measuring for Replacement Hinges

If using concealed hinges:

• Standard hinge cup size: 35mm
  
• Typical cup depth: 12–13mm
  
• Distance from door edge: 21–22mm
  

How to Replace Cabinet Doors Without Replacing Cabinets

If your kitchen cabinets are still solid, you don’t need a full renovation to refresh the look. Learning how to replace cabinet doors without replacing cabinets is a simple, budget-friendly upgrade that can make a big difference.

Start by measuring your existing cabinet doors carefully. Note the height, width, and hinge positions. Next, remove the old doors using a screwdriver and clean the cabinet frames. Choose new door styles that match your Kitchen door installation, such as shaker or flat-panel designs. Attach hinges to the new doors, then align and screw them onto the cabinet frames. Adjust the hinges so the doors sit straight and open smoothly.

Finish the project by adding new handles or knobs for a modern touch. This method saves money, reduces mess, and gives your kitchen a fresh look without replacing the entire cabinet system.

Choosing the Right Kitchen Door Style & Material

Your new doors define the look of your kitchen. Take time choosing.

Popular Kitchen Door Styles

• Shaker doors – timeless, works in modern or traditional kitchens
• Slab doors – flat, minimal, contemporary
• Handleless doors – sleek, modern kitchens
• Raised panel – classic and traditional

Common Materials

• MDF doors (most popular, stable, paintable)
• Solid wood (premium look, higher cost)
• Vinyl-wrapped doors (budget-friendly)
• Laminate doors (durable, modern finishes)

LSI keywords used naturally here include kitchen cabinet doors, cupboard doors, shaker doors, MDF doors, laminate doors.

Finish Options

• Painted (spray-finished or factory painted)
• Matte or gloss
• Wood grain effect
• Custom colours (e.g., Farrow & Ball matches)

How to Install Kitchen Cabinet Doors Step by Step

Measure cabinets, remove old doors, clean frames, attach hinges to new doors, align doors, screw hinges into frames, adjust for even fit, install handles, check smooth opening and closing.

Installing kitchen cabinet doors is an easy DIY project that can refresh your kitchen without a full renovation. With the right tools and a little patience, you can complete this task in just a few hours.

Step 1: Measure the Cabinet Openings
Start by measuring the height and width of your cabinet frames. Accurate measurements ensure your new doors fit perfectly.

Step 2: Remove Old Doors
Use a screwdriver to unscrew the hinges and take off the old cabinet doors. Clean the cabinet surface before installing new ones.

Step 3: Attach Hinges to New Doors
Fix the hinges to the back of the new cabinet doors. Make sure they are aligned properly.

Step 4: Position the Doors
Hold the door in place against the cabinet frame and mark the screw positions.

Step 5: Secure the Doors
Drill pilot holes and screw the hinges into the cabinet frame.

Step 6: Adjust Alignment
Use the hinge adjustment screws to make sure the doors open smoothly and line up evenly.

Step 7: Install Handles
Finally, attach knobs or handles for a finished look.

With these simple steps, your Kitchen door installation will look modern, clean, and professionally updated—without the high cost of hiring a contractor.

Tools & Materials You’ll Need

Before installation day, gather everything.

Essential Tools

• Screwdriver or drill/driver
  
• Spirit level
  
• Tape measure
  
• Pencil
  
• Clamps (optional)
  
• Hinge adjustment screwdriver (Pozidriv)
  

Materials

• New DIY kitchen makeover cabinet doors
  
• Concealed hinges (soft-close recommended)
  
• Screws (usually supplied)
  
• New handles or knobs

Install Kitchen Doors: Step-by-Step Guide

This is the heart of How to Replace Kitchen Doors, and where careful work pays off.

Step 1: Remove Old Doors

1. Unscrew hinges from cabinet carcasses
   
2. Label each old door (for reference)
   
3. Remove handles if reusing
   

Step 2: Attach Hinges to New Doors

If hinge holes are pre-drilled:

1. Insert hinge cups into 35mm holes
   
2. Screw hinges firmly (do not overtighten)
   

If not pre-drilled:

• Use a hinge drilling jig or ask your supplier to drill them professionally
  

Step 3: Hang the New Doors

1. Clip or screw hinges onto cabinet plates
   
2. Hang doors loosely at first
   
3. Check spacing between doors
   

Step 4: Align and Adjust Doors

Most concealed hinges allow 3-way adjustment:

• Left/right
  
• Up/down
  
• In/out
  

Use small adjustments to:

• Even gaps between doors
  
• Align top and bottom edges
  
• Prevent doors rubbing
  

Pro tip: Start with top hinges, then fine-tune the bottom.

Step 5: Fit Handles or Knobs

1. Measure and mark handle placement
   
2. Use a drilling jig for consistency
   
3. Drill from the front to avoid tear-out
   
4. Secure handles firmly
   

LSI keywords naturally included here: door hinges, soft-close hinges, handle placement, door alignment.

Replacing Drawer Fronts (Optional but Recommended)

New doors often highlight old drawer fronts.

How to Replace Drawer Fronts

• Measure width and height exactly
  
• Unscrew old fronts from inside drawer box
  
• Align new front using spacers or clamps
  
• Screw from inside drawer
  

Matching drawer fronts creates a cohesive, professional finish.

Final Thoughts: Is Replacing Kitchen Doors Worth It?

Absolutely—if done correctly. Learning How to Replace Kitchen Doors empowers you to transform your kitchen without major construction, massive costs, or long timelines. With careful measuring, quality materials, and patient installation, the result often rivals a brand-new DIY kitchen makeover.