The Doors

• A cabinet refacing project is mostly about replacing the cabinet doors (and drawer fronts), which are the showcase part of the cabinets. Get exact measurements for the current doors and use them to door-shop at home improvement stores, woodworking shops and online. Don't just get a newer version of the existing doors; change is the whole point. Consider a surface material or painted color that will stand out from the cabinet body rather than match it, such as a bright painted door or one in very dark wood, against a neutral cabinet body. Also consider glass front doors--but only if you're willing to add veneer inside the cabinets, since they will become visible.
  
  

The Veneer

• With many modern cabinets, the doors are solid wood, and the cabinet body is wood veneer designed to match the doors. Whether you decide to re-match the doors or do the cabinet body and doors in different colors or materials, laying new veneer on the cabinet body gives the whole project a like-new look. Veneer can be purchased in sheets or rolls, with pre-glued backing covered with paper that you take off to adhere it to the cabinet surface. Initially cut the veneer piece a half inch or so bigger than the span you're covering, then trim it off the corners with a razor knife. Use a flat board to press all along the veneer and make sure there are no air bubbles under it.
  
  

Other Elements

• While the cabinet body, doors and drawer fronts are main things you deal with in refacing projects, they shouldn't be the only things. Knobs and drawer pulls come in all kinds of styles and can make a huge difference in the look of the cabinets. Choose knobs and drawer pulls that go with your newly refaced cabinets and are different from what you had before. Also consider trimming out the tops of the cabinets in crown molding if they aren't already.