Common Mistakes to Avoid in Cabinet Refacing

You’ve finally decided to update your kitchen and do something about those outdated, shoddy kitchen cabinets. Good for you. But you don’t need a total gut job—just some sleek kitchen cabinet refacing to bring them back to life. Before you call in a contractor or jump into a DIY-inspired, cabinet refacing project, a few pitfalls are waiting to trip you up. Pay close attention, and your new cabinets will stand the test of time. Let’s dodge some common cabinet refacing mistakes, shall we?

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Cabinet Refacing

Thinking Every Cabinet Deserves to Be Saved

Nostalgia is powerful. Maybe your cabinets remind you of your grandmother’s kitchen, or you just don’t want to throw out “perfectly good wood.” But not every cabinet box is worth keeping.

If the frame is warped, swollen from years of under-sink leaks, or smells like forgotten onions from 2006, don’t force a facelift on a corpse. You’re not saving money if you’re wrapping new doors around old, damaged bones.

That’s not a kitchen makeover—That’s a cover-up.

Choosing Style Over Function, Like It’s a Fashion Show

Refacing is all about aesthetics. But if you’re not considering how your cabinets function on a day-to-day basis, you’re just dressing up a mess.

Ultra-glossy doors might photograph like a magazine dream, but if they show fingerprints every time you grab a mug, you’ll regret it.

Also, those fancy European hinges? Not always a fit for your existing cabinet structure. Just because it’s pretty doesn’t mean it won’t make your morning routine slightly rage-inducing.

Measuring Once and Hoping the Cabinet Gods Smile Down on You

Eyeballing your cabinet sizes or using that same tape measure your dog chewed on last summer? Bold, brave, borderline chaotic. The cabinet refacing process is not a “close enough” kind of project.

Precise measurements are essential. Even a half-inch of misjudged space can throw off door alignment. Your kitchen will resemble a “tilted funhouse” more than a modern, chic space.

Accurate measurements aren’t just helpful—they’re everything.

Ignoring What’s Behind Door Number One

You’re all hyped up about finishes, drawer fronts, and color schemes, but when was the last time you looked inside the cabinets themselves?

Peeling shelf paper, mystery gunk from tenants past, sagging boards that whisper “I give up.” Don’t just slap on new doors and hope guests never open them. They will—They always do—And they will judge. Take the time to clean, repair, and line those shelves.

Going Cheap on the Details That Matter

Refacing on a budget is entirely doable, but cutting corners on the project will come back to haunt you. Refacing your cabinets with cheap products yields a low-quality finished product.

• Those ultra-thin veneers? They peel faster than a sunburn in July.
• Bargain adhesives? You’ll be back at the hardware store watching how-to videos in a week.
• Hardware that looks high-end but rattles every time you close a drawer

Instead, avoid cabinet refacing mistakes and opt for a mid-range approach where it counts—glue, surface material, and fasteners.

Forgetting the Power of Lighting

People don’t think about cabinet lighting in a remodel, and they should. You can have the most aesthetically pleasing cabinet doors in town, but if your kitchen lighting is dim and yellow, they’ll look sad and beige.

Avoid common lighting mistakes. Add some under-cabinet lighting, swap out that tired ceiling fixture, or incorporate some warm LED strips. It’s the Instagram filter your kitchen deserves. Why spend all that money if you’re going to view it under a 40-watt bulb that screams, “Welcome to the basement?”

Not Trusting Your Gut

Pay attention to details to avoid problems with refacing your kitchen cabinets. You know that voice that says, “This doesn’t feel right,” when the installer says something off or when you see a wood sample that feels like it doesn’t belong? Listen to it.

But also, don’t ignore expert advice just because your TikTok DIY feed gave you other ideas. Balance is key here—ask questions, get second opinions, and don’t be afraid to take a step back. Cabinets aren’t going anywhere, and neither should your standards.

Kitchens Redefined

At Kitchens Redefined, our mission is to provide you with a hassle-free experience, from the initial consultation through the finished project. We specialize in kitchen cabinet painting/refinishing, cabinet refacing/redooring, countertops, backsplash, cabinet hardware, and cabinet storage solutions. Our experienced staff work tirelessly to make sure your project receives the attention it deserves, and the quality craftsmanship required to meet and exceed your expectations.

Fill out our form to schedule a free in-home consultation for a kitchen cabinet makeover, or call us at (402) 505-3381 to schedule a consultation.