How to Reface Kitchen Cabinets: A 3-Day Process

Although a refacing project commonly takes about three or four days, it's wise to stay on the cautious side when estimating time with any do-it-yourself project. In fact, rushing is probably the most common cause of error, so you should always take precautions by pacing yourself. Give yourself ample time - about five or six days - to get it done, just in case something goes wrong and you need some breathing room.

That said, here is a breakdown of how to reface kitchen cabinets in three days:

First Day:

On the first day, you should prepare for the project and disassemble those old, worn-out cabinets. This is where it gets a little scary because your kitchen starts to look like it's being gutted.

Remove all the furniture and large appliances you can, and cover everything that remains with tack cloth or some other kind of protective barrier. Never cut corners on this because it is easy to cause damage to your kitchen, especially when you think it's protected.

Take off all the hardware, drawer fronts, and cabinet doors - and make sure you have a system for organizing anything you intend to reuse. Label it or separate it into groups - whatever is easiest for you to keep it all in line. Then, begin the veneering process.

Use the end of the day to put everything away and do some light cleaning.

Second Day:

Most of the second day is reserved for the process of veneering, but since this is the bulk of the job, it's likely you won't finish. Clean up when you call it a night to minimize the mess at the end of the project.

Third Day:

On the third day, try to wrap up the veneering and apply a coat of finish to everything. Make sure to clean the cabinets well between coats and after you are finished.

Install your new cabinet doors, or the old ones, depending on your project, and all the hardware. Examine your job closely upon completion to make sure you haven't made mistakes. When you're satisfied with your work, start cleaning up and putting your kitchen back together.

Remember, there are many different variables that can affect your project, such as the size of the kitchen, accessories you might want to add, and time-wasting "surprises."

If you need more time, allow for it, and if something goes wrong that stretches the project out, don't get impatient. Just do what you can and move forward with the same easy pace - because that's how to reface kitchen cabinets the right way.