Updated kitchens are in demand, and homeowners are not hesitating to open their wallets when renovating these popular spaces in their homes. According to a 2025 study from Houzz, the median spend on kitchen renovations rose to $60,000 between 2024 and 2025.
Homeowners concerned about the high price tag of kitchen renovations should know they have some less expensive means to giving their kitchens a new look. Cabinet projects can dramatically alter how a kitchen looks and feels. This rundown of cabinet projects can help homeowners answer any questions they have about this unique and budgetfriendly way to revitalize their kitchens.
• Refacing and replacing each merit consideration. Homeowners unfamiliar with cabinet projects may not realize they have two very different options to consider. Refacing allows homeowners to transform the look and feel of a kitchen while keeping the existing cabinet structure in place. When refacing cabinets, new doors, drawer fronts and typically hardware are installed to replace the existing ones. When replacing cabinets, the existing cabinet structure is torn out and completely new units are installed. Replacing might be done when the structural integrity of the existing cabinets is questionable or when homeowners are not fond of the existing cabinet layout and decide to change it completely.
• Cabinet refacing or replacing projects will not cost nearly as much as a complete kitchen overhaul. The cost of any home renovation project is unique to each home. No two homes are the same, and variables like layout and square footage will affect the price of most projects, including cabinet renovations. But homeowners should know that the average cost of cabinet refacing projects and replacement projects falls far short of the $60,000 price tag of kitchen renovations noted by Houzz. According to Angi.com, refacing cabinets costs between $900 and $6000 on average, while cabinet replacement projects can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $30,000. The wide ranges reflect the variables unique to each home. Homeowners are urged to contact a professional who specializes in cabinet refacing and replacement to get an accurate estimate of how much these projects will cost in their homes.
• Cabinets also can be repainted. If refacing or replacing cabinets also threatens to bust the budget, homeowners can consider repainting or restaining existing cabinets. This is a particularly costeffective project because it gives the kitchen a new look but does not require homeowners to purchase new doors, drawers or hardware. This is a potentially good option for homeowners whose existing cabinets are structurally sound and painted but started to fade in regard to their color. It’s also a potentially sound temporary option for homeowners who are hoping to do a full kitchen renovation at some point in the near future but looking for a less costly and temporary means to give their kitchens a fresh look.
Cabinet projects can create a different feel in the kitchen without requiring homeowners to make as sizable a financial investment as a full kitchen overhaul demands.
