How to Add New Kitchen Cabinet Doors

Adding new kitchen cabinet doors to an existing cabinet can update the entire appearance of your kitchen. The kitchen cabinet doors are responsible the largest amount of visual impact in the cabinetry system, so replacing them is a good place to start if you have a limited budget, but would like to renovate your kitchen.

Step 1: Remove the existing kitchen cabinet doors. Decide if you would like to retain the old hardware. Salvage the hardware if you would and clean it for use later.

TIP: Boil the hardware in water and let it cool. Then scrub away any dirt or grease with an old toothbrush. Your hardware should be shiny and new and ready to install.

Step 2: If you plan on replacing the hardware, purchase the new hardware and see if it lines up with the old holes. If not you must patch the holes in the actual kitchen cabinets. To patch the holes, fill any holes with wood putty, then sand the area smooth after it has dried. You will have to paint or stain over the wood putty to conceal the patch.

Step 3: If you plan on using existing holes, screw the hardware to the cabinet so the holes align with the existing holes. The place the new kitchen cabinet doors in their proper location and mark the location of the necessary screw holes. Drill pilot holes into the new cabinet doors, then use the screws to secure the doors into place.

Step 4: If you are using new hardware, have an assistant hold the kitchen cabinet doors into place and check their location with a level. Then mark the location of any needed pilot holes in both the cabinet and the new kitchen cabinet doors. Drill the pilot holes and then screw the hardware into place.

Step 5: Mark the location of each door handle, making sure to use a measuring tape so that the hardware is installed in the same location on each door. Drill a hole with the necessary diameter to accommodate the hardware you have chosen.

Step 6: Insert the hardware into the holes you have created and use the screws included with the hardware to secure each piece. Use washers as necessary to create a tight fit between the screws and the door handles. Use a hand held screwdriver to tighten each screw to ensure that the handles are all properly fitted.