Cabinet Refacing in Maryland & Northern Virginia

Give Your Kitchen a Brand-New Look Without Replacing Everything

Love your kitchen layout, countertops, or backsplash—but not the look of your cabinets?

Cabinet refacing may be the perfect solution.

At Pandora Kitchens, cabinet refacing lets you keep the parts of your existing kitchen that still work well while updating the ones you see and use every day.

Instead of removing perfectly good cabinet boxes and starting over, we can replace your cabinet doors and drawer fronts, update exposed cabinet surfaces, modernize moldings and hardware, and even improve the storage and accessibility inside your cabinets.

The result can look and feel like a completely new kitchen—with less demolition, less disruption, and often a significantly lower investment than a complete kitchen remodel.

Serving homeowners throughout Maryland and Northern Virginia, including Columbia, Ellicott City, Rockville, Fairfax, Tysons Corner, Alexandria, and surrounding communities.

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What Is Cabinet Refacing?

Cabinet refacing is an excellent option when your existing cabinet boxes and kitchen layout are still in good condition. Still, you want to change the style, color, finish, or functionality of your kitchen.

A basic cabinet refacing project may include:

• New cabinet doors
• New drawer fronts
• New toe kicks
• New hinges and hardware
• Updated exposed cabinet surfaces
• New or updated crown molding where needed

But refacing does not have to stop there.

Depending on your kitchen, we can also upgrade drawer boxes, add roll-out trays, install pull-out trash systems, improve pantry storage, add charging stations, and make your cabinets easier and more comfortable to use.

The goal is simple: keep what still works, replace what needs improvement, and create the look and functionality you want.

From Partial Overlay to a Modern Full-Overlay Look

One of the biggest visual changes we can make during cabinet refacing is converting older partial-overlay cabinet doors to full-overlay doors.

Older kitchens often have more of the cabinet face frame visible between doors and drawers. By changing to full-overlay doors and drawer fronts, we can create a cleaner, more updated appearance without replacing the entire cabinet system.

You can choose from contemporary, traditional, transitional, or popular Shaker-style doors in a wide variety of colors and finishes.

We can also update older decorative or traditional crown molding with cleaner contemporary or Shaker-style molding when appropriate.

These details can completely change the personality of the kitchen.

What Happens to the Cabinet Face Frames and Finished Sides?

This is one of the questions homeowners ask us most often.

There is no single answer because every kitchen is different.

Depending on the condition, material, color, and design of your existing cabinets, we may recommend:

Refinishing or painting the face frames.
Existing stained surfaces can sometimes be properly prepared and refinished or painted to coordinate with the new cabinet doors.

Applying matching veneer or material to the face frames.
In some kitchens, covering the existing face frame with a coordinating material creates the best finished appearance.

Skinning exposed cabinet sides.
Rather than simply painting the side of an old cabinet, we can often install a new finished panel or "skin" that coordinates with the new doors. This can give the cabinet a much more complete, factory-finished appearance.

During our consultation, we inspect the existing cabinets and recommend the solution that makes the most sense for that particular kitchen.

Keep Good Drawer Boxes—or Upgrade Them

Cabinet refacing does not mean throwing away components that are still working well.

If you already have quality drawer boxes, roll-outs, or interior accessories in good condition, we may be able to keep them and update only the visible drawer fronts.

On the other hand, if the existing drawer boxes are worn, damaged, or lower quality, this is an opportunity to upgrade them.

For example, homeowners may choose new solid-wood dovetail drawer boxes, improved drawer runners, or soft-close hardware.

You decide how far you want to take the renovation.

Make Your Existing Kitchen More Accessible

A beautiful kitchen should also work better.

Because we are already working on your cabinets during the refacing process, it is an ideal time to improve storage and accessibility.

Depending on your existing cabinetry, optional upgrades may include:

• Roll-out shelves and trays
• Pull-out trash and recycling systems
• Pantry pull-outs
• Interior cabinet organizers
• Upgraded drawer boxes
• Soft-close drawer runners
• Soft-close hinges
• Charging stations
• Improved storage accessories
• Other accessibility and organization solutions

You may be surprised how much more useful an existing cabinet can become without replacing the entire kitchen.

Choose the Level of Cabinet Refacing Service You Need

Not every homeowner needs the same level of service.

That is why Pandora Kitchens can help you choose the approach that makes sense for your project and budget.

Materials Only

Some homeowners are comfortable completing their own installation.

For those projects, we can professionally measure the kitchen and help order the appropriate doors, drawer fronts, hinges, and other selected materials.

This gives experienced DIY homeowners access to professionally measured components without paying for a complete installation.

Materials + Professional Installation

If you would rather have us handle the project, we can measure, order, and professionally install the selected cabinet refacing components.

Because we handle the measurements, product specifications, hinge requirements, and installation, you do not have to worry about determining whether every door and component has been measured and ordered correctly.

Complete Cabinet Refacing & Upgrades

For homeowners looking for a more complete transformation, we can combine new doors and drawer fronts with finished cabinet sides, face-frame treatment, new moldings, hardware, drawer upgrades, roll-outs, pull-outs, storage accessories, and other improvements.

There is no requirement to purchase upgrades you do not need.

We build the project around your kitchen.

How Much Does Cabinet Refacing Cost?

Cabinet refacing prices can vary considerably because two kitchens that look similar from the outside may require very different amounts of work.

The price depends on factors such as:

• Number and size of doors
• Number of drawer fronts
• Door style and material
• Finish and color
• Hardware and hinges
• Condition of existing cabinet boxes
• Face-frame treatment
• Finished end panels or skins
• Crown molding and trim
• Drawer-box replacement
• Interior accessories
• Roll-outs and pull-outs
• Installation requirements

For a smaller, straightforward project where a homeowner primarily needs professionally measured doors and drawer fronts and plans to complete the installation themselves, some projects may begin around $3,000.

A larger professionally installed project with extensive refacing, finished sides, moldings, upgraded drawer boxes, roll-outs, pull-outs, organizers, and other improvements can reach $10,000–$15,000 or more, depending on the kitchen and selections.

These numbers are examples rather than fixed quotes.

The best way to determine whether cabinet refacing makes financial sense for your kitchen is to have us see the cabinets, discuss what you want to keep and change, and then provide options.

Door Styles, Colors & Cabinet Refacing Options

Refacing does not limit you to one cabinet door.

Depending on the project, budget, design, and availability, we can help you explore a variety of door styles and material options—from straightforward replacement doors to custom options and selections from established cabinet manufacturers.

Many homeowners choose a Shaker-style door for a cleaner, updated appearance, while others prefer traditional, transitional, slab, or contemporary designs.

You can also change the color completely.

A dated, stained kitchen can become a bright, painted kitchen; a traditional kitchen can become contemporary; or an older partial-overlay cabinet design can be transformed with modern full-overlay doors.

When appropriate for the project, we can also discuss manufacturer-branded cabinet options, including products from well-known manufacturers such as KraftMaid.

Our goal is not simply to sell you a door.

Our goal is to help you choose the right solution for your existing kitchen.

How Long Does Cabinet Refacing Take?

One of the biggest advantages of cabinet refacing is that you usually do not have to endure the same level of disruption as a complete kitchen renovation.

After the kitchen has been professionally measured, selections are finalized, and the order is placed, many cabinet door and drawer-front orders are ready in approximately 3–4 weeks.

Actual lead times depend on the manufacturer, door style, finish, customization, and material availability.

Once the materials are ready, a typical refacing installation may take 1–3 days, depending on the kitchen's size and complexity.

More extensive projects involving drawer replacement, molding modifications, interior accessories, finished panels, or other custom work may require additional time.

You may need to empty certain cabinets or drawers so our installers can work efficiently. Still, in many refacing projects you can continue using much of your kitchen throughout the process.

Cabinet Refacing vs. Complete Cabinet Replacement

Cabinet refacing makes the most sense when you already have several important things working in your favor:

Your cabinet boxes are structurally sound.

You like the general layout of your kitchen.

Your countertops are in good condition.

You want to keep your existing backsplash.

You do not want the demolition required to remove every cabinet.

You primarily want to change the appearance and improve selected areas of functionality.

If the cabinet boxes are damaged, the layout no longer works, or you want to redesign the kitchen, replacing the cabinets completely may be a better investment.

That is why Pandora Kitchens does not automatically recommend refacing to every customer.

We look at the kitchen first.

If refacing makes sense, we will explain your options.

If replacing certain cabinets—or even the entire kitchen—would yield better long-term results, we can explain that as well.

Our Cabinet Refacing Process

1. Consultation

Please tell us what you like about your existing kitchen, what you want to change, and your approximate budget.

2. Kitchen Evaluation

We inspect the cabinet boxes, doors, drawer boxes, face frames, finished sides, molding, hinges, and existing accessories.

3. Professional Measurement

When Pandora Kitchens is responsible for the project, we professionally measure the doors, drawer fronts, and other required components.

Accurate measurements are especially important when converting from partial-overlay to full-overlay doors or changing hinge configurations.

4. Choose Your Refacing Options

Select the door style, color, finish, hardware, and any optional functional upgrades.

5. Order Your Materials

Once everything is approved, your components are ordered.

Typical door and drawer-front lead times are often around 3–4 weeks, although actual manufacturing times vary.

6. Installation

Most straightforward refacing installations can often be completed in approximately 1–3 days.

Then you get to enjoy a kitchen that can look dramatically different without having gone through a complete kitchen demolition.

Cabinet Refacing in Maryland

Pandora Kitchens provides cabinet refacing solutions for homeowners throughout our Maryland service area.

We work with customers in and around:

Columbia, MD
Ellicott City, MD
Rockville, MD
and surrounding Maryland communities

If your countertops and backsplash are still in good condition but your cabinet doors make the kitchen feel outdated, refacing may help you transform the room while preserving the parts of the kitchen you've already invested in.

Cabinet Refacing in Northern Virginia

We also provide cabinet refacing services throughout Northern Virginia, including:

Fairfax, VA
Tysons Corner / Tysons, VA
Alexandria, VA
and surrounding Northern Virginia communities

From updating older partial-overlay cabinets to creating a modern full-overlay Shaker kitchen, we can help you determine how much of your existing cabinetry to retain and where upgrades will make the biggest difference.

Cabinet Refacing Frequently Asked Questions

Is cabinet refacing the same as painting cabinets?

No.

Painting or refinishing primarily changes the finish of the existing cabinets and doors.

Cabinet refacing typically replaces the visible doors and drawer fronts and may also involve updating face frames, cabinet sides, moldings, toe kicks, hinges, and other components.

Depending on the kitchen, painting or refinishing may still be used on certain portions of the existing cabinetry as part of the overall refacing project.

Can you change partial-overlay cabinets to full-overlay?

In many kitchens, yes.

This can be one of the most dramatic improvements because full-overlay doors cover more of the cabinet face frame and create a cleaner, more updated appearance.

The existing cabinets must first be evaluated and accurately measured.

Do I have to replace my existing drawer boxes?

No.

If your existing drawer boxes and runners are in good condition, they may be retained while the visible drawer fronts are replaced.

If they are worn or you want a higher-quality drawer system, we can discuss replacement options such as upgraded solid-wood dovetail drawers and improved runners.

Can you add soft-close hinges?

In many refacing projects, yes.

New hinges are commonly installed when replacing cabinet doors, and soft-close options may be available depending on the cabinet and door configuration.

What happens to the sides of my cabinets?

We evaluate them individually.

Some cabinet sides can be properly refinished or painted. In many projects, adding a matching finished skin or panel gives the cabinet a more complete, brand-new appearance.

What happens to the cabinet face frames?

Depending on the existing material and the desired finish, the face frames may be properly prepared and refinished or painted, or they may receive a coordinating veneer or other finished material.

We determine the best method after inspecting the kitchen.

Can you replace my old crown molding?

Yes, when the cabinet design allows it.

For example, an older, traditional crown molding may be replaced with cleaner, contemporary or Shaker-style molding to coordinate with the new cabinet doors.

Can you add roll-out shelves to my existing cabinets?

Often, yes.

Roll-out trays, pull-outs, trash systems, organizers, and other accessories can frequently be incorporated into existing cabinet boxes.

We verify available space and cabinet construction before recommending specific accessories.

Can I buy the cabinet doors and install them myself?

Yes, this may be an option for homeowners who are comfortable handling the installation themselves.

Pandora Kitchens can professionally measure the project and help supply the selected materials.

If you prefer, we can also provide professional installation.

Who is responsible for the measurements?

When Pandora Kitchens provides the professional measurement as part of the project, we take the measurements needed to order the specified components.

That means you do not have to determine door sizes, overlays, or hinge specifications yourself.

DIY and customer-supplied measurements may be handled differently, so the scope should always be confirmed before ordering.

How long will I be without my kitchen?

Cabinet refacing generally creates much less disruption than completely removing and replacing the cabinets.

Many standard installations take approximately 1–3 days once the materials have arrived, although larger or more customized projects may take longer.

How long does it take to receive new doors?

Many orders are available approximately 3–4 weeks after final measurements, selections, and ordering.

Actual manufacturing and delivery times vary based on the manufacturer, door style, finish, customization, and current availability.

Is cabinet refacing worth it if I already have good countertops?

That can be one of the best reasons to consider refacing.

If you have already invested in countertops and a backsplash you like, replacing the entire cabinet system may require significantly more work and could affect surrounding finished materials.

When the existing cabinets are structurally sound, refacing allows us to focus on transforming the visible cabinetry while preserving other parts of the kitchen whenever practical.

How do I know whether to reface or replace my cabinets?

We recommend starting with an evaluation.

If your existing cabinet boxes are structurally sound and you like the layout, refacing may be an excellent choice.

If there are structural problems or you want substantial layout changes, new cabinetry may make more sense.

We can review the kitchen and explain both options so you can make an informed decision.

Keep What Works. Change What Doesn't.

You may not need a completely new kitchen to get a completely different look.

If you already have good countertops, a backsplash you love, and structurally sound cabinet boxes, Pandora Kitchens can help you explore how refacing your cabinets could transform your kitchen.

Start simple with new doors and drawer fronts—or go further with full-overlay doors, new finished panels, molding, drawer boxes, soft-close hardware, roll-outs, pull-outs, charging solutions, and other storage upgrades.

The choice is yours.

Our job is to inspect what you already have, understand what you want to accomplish, and recommend the most practical way to get there.

Ready to Find Out If Your Kitchen Is a Good Candidate for Cabinet Refacing?

Contact Pandora Kitchens to schedule a cabinet refacing consultation in Maryland or Northern Virginia.