Bathroom cabinet refacing: DIY guide

Michael Woods

Under How-To

Bathroom cabinet refacing can be an excellent solution if you want to give your bathroom cabinets a new look without the hassle or cost of a complete remodel. This cost-effective and environmentally friendly method can transform the appearance of your bathroom space while keeping your existing cabinet structure intact.

What is bathroom cabinet refacing?

Bathroom cabinet refacing involves revamping the external surfaces of your cabinets to give them a refreshed and updated look. The process typically includes replacing old cabinet doors and drawer fronts and applying a new veneer, paint, or stain over your existing bathroom vanity. Additionally, homeowners typically replace cabinet hardware, including hinges, handles, and drawer pulls, during a refacing project to complement the new look.

When you choose bathroom cabinet refacing, you can transform your bathroom space significantly without extensive renovations or total cabinet replacements. It’s a cost-effective approach that enables you to update your cabinet door and drawer front profiles and overall cabinet appearance while preserving the functional structure.

Refacing bathroom cabinets before and after: How it transforms your bathroom

Refacing your bathroom cabinets can dramatically impact the look and feel of your bathroom. Before the refacing process, your cabinets may look outdated, worn, or out of style. They may also have visible damage, such as scratches, dents, or stains, or they may not match your current design aesthetic.

After refacing, your cabinets can look like new again. New doors, drawer fronts, veneer, paint, stain, and hardware can completely transform the style of your cabinets. Whether you choose a modern, minimalist style or a more traditional, classic look, refacing can help you achieve your desired aesthetic.

But the transformation isn’t just visual. Refacing can also improve the functionality of your cabinets. For example, if your old doors were warped or didn’t close properly, new doors can provide a better fit. If your old hardware was difficult to use, the new hardware could improve the usability of your cabinets.

Understanding the costs and process of bathroom cabinet refacing

If you’re considering a DIY approach to bathroom cabinet refacing, expect to spend between $200 and $800 on materials and tools. This includes new doors, drawer fronts, finishing materials, hardware, and tools.

Hiring a professional service can cost between $1,000 and $9,000, depending on the size and complexity of the job. While this is more expensive than DIY, professionals bring expertise, efficiency, and access to a broader range of materials and specialty tools, ensuring a high-quality finish.

When choosing a professional service, it’s essential to do thorough research. Check their reputation, read customer reviews, and ask for a detailed quote to understand what’s included in the cost. Requesting references and examples of their previous work can also provide insight into their work quality and style.

Advantages of refacing bathroom cabinets

There are several compelling reasons to choose bathroom cabinet refacing:

Cost-effectiveness: Refacing your bathroom cabinets is a budget-friendly option compared to replacing them. On average, refacing bathroom cabinets costs around 30% to 50% less than replacement, making it an attractive choice for homeowners looking to update their bathroom on a limited budget. The cost can vary depending on factors such as your bathroom size, location, and the materials and accessories you select.
Environmental friendliness: Choosing bathroom cabinet refacing contributes to sustainability by reducing waste and conserving resources. Refacing enables you to reuse your existing cabinet vanity, minimizing the amount of material in landfills. By choosing to reface instead of replacing, you actively participate in a more environmentally conscious approach to home improvement.
Time savings: Refacing your bathroom cabinets is quicker than a complete cabinet replacement. Removing and replacing your entire cabinet structure is unnecessary during refacing. This means less disruption to your daily life during the renovation process. The shorter timeline also means you can enjoy your refreshed bathroom sooner.
Customization options: Refacing your bathroom cabinets enables you to customize your space’s appearance. You can choose from various cabinet door and drawer styles, materials, finishes, and hardware to achieve the desired aesthetic. This lets you personalize your bathroom and create a look that complements your style and preferences.

Options for bathroom cabinet refacing

If you want to revitalize your bathroom, refacing your cabinetry can radically transform your space. Here’s an overview of the most common options for bathroom cabinet refacing.

1. Veneering

Veneering involves applying a thin layer of wood, laminate, or rigid thermofoil (RTF) veneer to your existing bathroom vanity to match your new cabinet doors and drawer fronts.

Wood veneer: Wood veneer is a thin layer of real hardwood applied to plywood, medium-density fiberboard (MDF), or high-density fiberboard (HDF). It offers the look and feel of solid wood but at a fraction of the cost. Wood veneer comes in various species, so you can choose the one that best matches your desired look.
Laminate veneer: Laminate veneer is a synthetic material that’s typically made from plastic and is a cheaper option than wood veneer. There are two main types of laminate: 1) high-pressure laminate (HPL), which uses heat and high pressure to bond multiple layers together, or 2) low-pressure laminate (LPL or “melamine”), which is constructed with a single layer bonded to the base material. HPL is good for high-traffic areas and is typically stain and scratch resistant, but it can cost more than LPL. LPL is better suited for low-traffic areas and smaller budgets. Laminate comes in a wide range of colors and patterns, including options that mimic the look of wood or other natural materials.
RTF veneer: RTF veneer is a type of vinyl that’s heated and molded over medium-density fiberboard (MDF). RTF layers strengthen and seal the MDF, making it a suitable choice for high-traffic, humid bathrooms. RTF veneer is a good choice if you’re looking for a material that’s easy to maintain, resistant to moisture, and typically more affordable than wood veneer.

Veneering is ideal if you’re satisfied with your bathroom’s current cabinetry layout but desire a change in the finish. But remember that applying veneers to your cabinet vanity requires careful attention to ensure a smooth and even finish. The cost of veneering your bathroom vanity can vary widely depending on your bathroom’s size, layout, and the type and quality of veneer you choose.

You’ll also have to factor in the cost of new matching cabinet doors and drawer fronts, which typically costs between $180 and $330 per door, depending on the materials you choose and your geographic location.

2. Painting or staining

Painting or staining your bathroom cabinets is a cost-effective way to enhance the aesthetic appeal of your bathroom.

Note: Painting and staining are better refinishing options than veneering when changing cabinet door or drawer profiles to ensure a perfect design match. This is especially true if you create doors or drawer fronts with ornate profiles or raised panels (rather than slab-style doors or drawer fronts), as cutting veneers to the proper sizes and seamlessly installing them on these types of doors and drawer fronts is challenging.

Painting

When it comes to painting bathroom cabinets, it’s important to choose a paint that can withstand the unique conditions of a bathroom, such as humidity, moisture, and frequent cleaning. The best paint options for bathroom cabinets include:

Oil-based paint: Oil-based paints leave behind hard, smooth surfaces that are durable and resistant to moisture. However, these paints give off a strong odor during application and drying, typically take longer to dry than other paints, and require specific cleaners (like mineral spirits).
Acrylic latex paint: Acrylic latex paints are water-based and offer good durability and moisture resistance. They dry quickly, have a weaker odor, and are easy to clean up with water and mild soap. Choose paints labeled as “bathroom” or “cabinet and trim” paints, as they often have added moisture-resistant properties.
Cabinet and trim enamel paint: Created for cabinets and trim, enamel paints provide a long-lasting and washable finish. They offer good moisture resistance and are available in oil- and water-based formulations. These paints are designed to withstand wear and tear, making them suitable for bathroom cabinets.

The cost of painting your bathroom cabinets can vary significantly depending on whether you decide to undertake the project yourself or hire a professional, the type and quality of paint you select, and the type of cabinet doors and drawer fronts you buy. It’s important to use durable paint suitable for bathroom environments and can withstand daily wear and tear.

Many homeowners can paint their bathroom cabinets for less than $500, depending on the size of the space, the materials used, and the project’s complexity. This budget-friendly approach lets you personalize your cabinets’ color and finish.

Staining

Staining your bathroom cabinets enhances the natural beauty of natural wood, accentuating its unique grain pattern and adding depth and richness to the color. Wood stains come in several colors and finishes, enabling you to achieve the desired level of darkness, lightness, or visible wood grain. Staining is an excellent choice if you prefer a more traditional or rustic look for your bathroom cabinets.

If you plan to stain your cabinet vanity, there are many different types of stain finishes available, such as:

Polyurethane: Provides a clear and durable protective layer on wood surfaces. It is a synthetic material that forms a hard, glossy, and water-resistant coating. Polyurethane stains are available in both oil-based and water-based formulations and offer excellent durability and resistance to scratches, spills, and UV damage.
Lacquer: A clear or tinted finish that is made from a combination of nitrocellulose or synthetic resins, solvents, and pigments. It dries quickly and forms a hard, durable, and glossy coating on wood surfaces. Lacquer stains are known for their excellent clarity and depth of color. They provide good protection against moisture, heat, and moderate wear.

Shellac: Derived from the resin secreted by the lac bug and is dissolved in alcohol to create a solution. It has been used as a traditional wood finish for centuries. Shellac stains provide a warm, amber-toned finish and enhance the natural beauty of the wood. They dry quickly and offer good protection against moisture and mild wear. However, shellac is susceptible to damage from alcohol and some household chemicals.

Oil: Made from natural oils, such as linseed oil or tung oil, which penetrate wood fibers to enhance the color and grain pattern. Oil stains provide a warm and natural-looking finish and can range from transparent to semi-transparent.

Oil-varnish blends: Known as Danish oil or wiping varnish, oil-varnish blends are a combination of oil and varnish resins. These stains offer the benefits of both oil and varnish finishes. They penetrate wood like oil stains, enhancing the grain and color, while also providing a protective film like varnish. Oil-varnish blends provide good durability, moisture resistance, and a natural-looking finish.
Water-based: Formulated with water as the primary solvent instead of solvents like mineral spirits or alcohol. They are low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and have a milder odor compared to oil-based or solvent-based stains. Water-based stains are available in a range of colors and offer quick drying times. They provide good durability, resistance to yellowing, and are easy to clean up with soap and water.

Take some time to choose one that best suits your desired finish and the amount of maintenance you are willing to do.

Reface your bathroom cabinets with help from The Cabinet Door Store

The Cabinet Door Store has the cabinet parts — including cabinet doors, drawer fronts and boxes, and hardware — you need if you’re ready to start your bathroom cabinet refacing project.

We offer several styles of unfinished doors and drawer fronts to finish yourself. We also offer our factory-direct cabinet parts in select Benjamin Moore paint colors, which makes it easy to find the matching Benjamin Moore color at your local hardware or paint store for your bathroom vanity. If you have a paint or stain in mind that we don’t offer, we can easily match them with an additional fee.

Whether you’re looking for a modern, minimalist style or a more traditional, classic look, you’re sure to find the perfect cabinet door and drawer front options for your bathroom at The Cabinet Door Store.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the differences between refacing bathroom vs. kitchen cabinets?

While refacing bathroom and kitchen cabinets is essentially the same, there are a few key differences to consider. The size and dimensions of the cabinets are the most noticeable difference. Kitchen cabinets are typically larger and deeper than bathroom cabinets, which means they may require more material to reface. This could increase the cost of the project. Additionally, the cabinets’ function and usage can influence the refacing process. Kitchen cabinets often see heavier use than bathroom cabinets, with more frequent opening and closing and exposure to heat and moisture. This can affect the choice of materials for refacing, with a need for more durable and heat-resistant options.

How does refacing alter the look of my bathroom cabinets?

Refacing can dramatically alter the look of your bathroom cabinets. By replacing the doors and drawer fronts and applying new veneer, paint, or stain to the cabinet vanity, you can change the color and style of your cabinets. This can transform an outdated bathroom into a modern, stylish space. For example, if your cabinets are dark wood and you prefer a lighter, more contemporary look, you can choose a light-colored laminate or wood veneer and modern, sleek hardware. If your cabinets are currently a plain, flat style and you want a more traditional look, you can choose raised-panel doors and classic hardware.

Is refacing bathroom cabinets cheaper than replacing them?

In most cases, refacing bathroom cabinets is significantly cheaper than replacing them. As mentioned earlier, refacing involves only replacing the "skins" of the cabinets — the doors, drawer fronts, veneer, paint, or stain — rather than the entire cabinet structure. This means you're paying for less material and labor, which can significantly reduce the cost. HomeAdvisor says the average cost of refacing cabinets is between $4,500 and $10,600, which is 30% to 50% more affordable than replacing cabinets. However, the exact price can vary depending on factors like the size of your bathroom, the materials you choose, and your geographic location.