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Kitchen DeluxeThoughtfully transformed.

Reface vs. remodel

Two paths to a kitchen you'll love.

Some kitchens need a fresh face. Others need a fresh start. Here's an honest breakdown of cabinet refacing and full remodeling, so you can choose with confidence.
Get an honest recommendation
Sage green shaker drawer fronts with brass pulls, marble counters and a farmhouse window
Green shaker sink cabinet with a brushed brass faucet, marble counter and white subway tileRefresh what you love

Cabinet refacing

Keep the layout. Change the feeling. Your existing cabinet boxes stay in place while everything you see is replaced: new doors and drawer fronts, new hinges and hardware, and a matching veneer or laminate over the frames.

  • Fast, often just a few days on site
  • Minimal mess, no demolition
  • Keep using your kitchen
  • Keep your countertops if you like
Learn about cabinet refacing
Remodeled kitchen at dusk with a quartz waterfall island, upholstered stools and seeded-glass pendantsDream a little bigger

Full remodeling

A new layout. Better flow. Room for everything. We take the kitchen down to the studs if needed and rebuild it around how you live, with new cabinetry, counters, lighting and finishes.

  • Change the layout or add an island
  • New custom or semi-custom cabinets
  • More storage and better flow
  • Complete design from scratch
Learn about full remodeling

Side by side

Refacing vs. remodeling, at a glance.

Comparison of cabinet refacing and kitchen remodeling
 Cabinet refacingFull remodel
What changesDoors, drawer fronts, hinges, hardware and the visible cabinet surfacesEverything: layout, cabinetry, counters, lighting, finishes and often walls
Cabinet boxesKept and covered in matching veneer or laminateReplaced with new custom or semi-custom cabinetry
LayoutStays the same (small additions like a pantry cabinet are possible)Fully redesigned: islands, moved appliances, opened walls
On-site timeTypically a few days once doors arriveTypically several weeks, depending on scope
Living with itKitchen usually stays usable throughoutKitchen out of service during construction
Demolition & messMinimal, with no tear-outFull tear-out, contained and cleaned daily
PermitsGenerally not needed for cosmetic workOften required for plumbing, electrical or structural work (we handle it)
BudgetTypically a fraction of replacement costLarger investment with the greatest transformation

Decision guide

Which one sounds like you?

Choose refacing if…

  • Your cabinet boxes are solid and dry
  • You like where everything is
  • You want a big change, fast
  • You'd rather not lose your kitchen for weeks

Choose remodeling if…

  • You want an island or a new layout
  • Cabinets are damaged or poorly built
  • You need much more storage
  • You're updating floors, lighting and more anyway

Consider a hybrid if…

  • Most cabinets are fine but one wall isn't working
  • You want new counters with your reface
  • You'd like a new pantry or island added
  • You want premium results on a smart budget

See the difference

Same footprint. A whole new feeling.

The same footprint, reimagined: cream shaker cabinetry, a walnut island and a farmhouse sink beneath the window.

More before & afters
After: Kitchen after: cream shaker cabinets, a walnut island and a farmhouse sink with brass faucet
Before: Kitchen before: cherry cabinets, laminate island and track lighting
BeforeAfterIllustrative

Questions

Still deciding?

Book a free consultation and we'll look at your cabinets together and give you an honest answer.

Is refacing really cheaper than a remodel?

Usually, yes, often significantly. Refacing reuses your cabinet boxes, skips demolition and typically leaves countertops and plumbing in place. A remodel replaces everything and may include layout, electrical and plumbing changes. Your free consultation includes a written estimate for whichever approach fits.

Will refaced cabinets look as good as new ones?

When done well, refaced cabinets are visually indistinguishable from new: new doors and drawer fronts, perfectly matched frame surfaces, new hardware and optional crown molding. The difference is what's behind the doors, not what you see.

Can I combine refacing with other upgrades?

Absolutely. Many of our clients reface and add new countertops, a backsplash, new lighting or a few new cabinets. It's a great middle path between a simple refresh and a full remodel.

How do you decide which one to recommend?

We look at the condition of your cabinet boxes, how well your layout works, how much storage you need, and your goals and budget. Then we give you an honest recommendation, even when the smaller project is the right one.

The Kitchen Deluxe journal

Ideas, advice & honest answers.

Read the journal

Your next chapter starts here

Let's make room for something beautiful.

A simple refresh or a completely new beginning. Tell us what you have in mind. Your consultation is free.

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