How to Replace Cabinet Drawer Fronts

Changing the look of your cabinets is a great way to create a brand-new appearance for your kitchen and provide a pleasant update to the space. Although many homeowners opt to replace their entire drawer and cabinet system, you can easily buy and replace just your cabinet drawer fronts or cabinet doors. In fact, this is a much simpler process than replacing your entire cabinet box.

Replacing cabinet drawer fronts is an affordable way to customize and refresh the look of your kitchen. By replacing just the drawer fronts, you also save yourself considerable time and potential frustration. With a bit of patience and attention to detail, anyone can replace their cabinet drawer fronts to update their kitchen.

Required Tools

To get started with cabinet drawer front replacement, you should first make sure you have all of the necessary tools. Always start by gathering your tools and setting them in one place so that you have no hiccups throughout the installation process. To install new drawer fronts, you will need:

• A drill or screwdriver
• Wood screws
• A tape measure
• A pencil
• A soft surface to rest your drawer boxes
• Hand saw (only for drawer boxes with 3 walls)

Although not necessary when replacing drawer fronts, some homeowners choose to replace their cabinet door hardware during the process as well. If this is the case, then new slides and door handles may be part of your list of needed equipment.

Drawer Fronts and Drawer Boxes

The drawer box is the part of the drawer that holds supplies and slides into the frame, while the drawer front is the face of the drawer box and is always visible from outside the frame. Drawer boxes typically feature two key designs: the drawer box with 3 walls or a drawer box with 4 walls.

Drawer boxes with 4 walls have four walls surrounding the box, with the drawer front attached to the wall on the front of the box. On a drawer box with three walls, the drawer front acts as the fourth wall. You can tell which type of drawer box you have by opening a drawer and looking at the back of the front wall. If the sides of the drawer are attached directly to the front of the drawer, then you have a 3-sided drawer box.

How To Replace a Drawer Box With 4 Walls

Replacing a drawer front on a 4-sided drawer box is rather simple because you already have a structure at the front of the box. You also do not have to do any cutting. The following steps describe replacing a drawer front for a 4-sided drawer box.

1. Place the drawer box on a soft surface, such as a blanket, to avoid scratches.
2. Remove existing hardware and the existing drawer front.
3. Place the new drawer front facing downward on the surface.
4. Center the front of the drawer box with the back of the drawer front. Use the tape measure to be sure that the box is placed an equal distance from the edges on each side.
5. Screw one side of the drawer front onto the box. To ensure it is properly aligned, slide the drawer into the frame and make any necessary adjustments. Then, you can secure the rest of the screws.

How To Replace a Drawer Box With 3 Walls

On a 3-sided drawer box, you want the drawer front to be flush with the drawer box, adding an extra step. To replace your cabinet drawer fronts, you should follow these steps:

1. Set the drawer box on a soft surface, such as a blanket, to avoid scratches.
2. Remove the current hardware.
3. Measure the old drawer front to fit the dimensions of the rest of the drawer box. Use a pencil to mark where the drawer front meets the edges of the box.
4. Cut the old drawer front along the markings so the edges of the drawer front are flush with the box.
5. Replace the slides on the cabinet drawer box so that the box can be turned around to slide in backward. Slide the cabinet drawer box into the frame to test that it will fit inside after the trimming. Adjust any cuts if necessary.
6. Turn the drawer box around to begin applying the new drawer front to the back of the drawer box.
7. Follow the steps for a 4-sided drawer box, centering the new drawer front on the outside of the box and then screwing it on.

Choosing Replacement Drawer Fronts

Once you have an idea of how to install new cabinet drawer fronts, you should know which cabinet drawer fronts you want to install. Fortunately, you have plenty of options to choose from when making your decision. Your choice may depend on whether you are aspiring for a modern or traditional style as well as the appearance of the rest of your kitchen. Whether you want a simpler or more complex design, there is a style for you.

5-Piece Drawer Fronts

As it sounds, 5-piece drawer fronts are constructed out of five pieces, including a 4-piece frame and a center panel. The center panel can be either recessed or raised, adding to the charming design of the style. This style of drawer front allows for more complex and unique designs because the frame and panels can share the same wood grain and pattern or have differing but complementary looks.

Slab Drawer Fronts

For a simpler design that still makes an impression, slab drawer fronts are another great option. Slab drawer fronts are made from just one piece of wood and are typically flat. This design can have various styles of edges to provide a unique look.

Find Replacement Cabinet Drawer Fronts

Replacing your cabinet drawer fronts is a small way to have a large impact on the appearance of your kitchen. For any additional questions about kitchen cabinet door front replacement or for help choosing replacement cabinet drawer fronts, contact CabinetDoors.com today. We also encourage you to check out our complete inventory of cabinet drawer fronts. We are always happy to help you create a refreshed look in your kitchen; visit CabinetDoors.com or call at 1-800-342-1010 to get started.