How to Replace Kitchen Doors Without Changing the Carcasses

If your kitchen cabinets are sound but the doors look tired, you don't need a whole new kitchen. Replacing just the doors and drawer fronts — keeping the existing carcasses — gives you a completely new look for a fraction of the cost and mess. Here's how to do it.

Why Replace Just the Doors?

The carcasses (the boxes) do the hard structural work and are usually still in good condition long after the doors have dated or worn. Because the doors and drawer fronts are what you actually see, swapping them transforms the room — typically at a fraction of the price of full units, with no need to disconnect plumbing, remove worktops or take time without a working kitchen.

Step 1: Check Your Doors Are a Standard Size

Most UK kitchens built in the last 20 years use industry-standard cabinet sizes, which means standard replacement doors will fit. Measure an existing door (the door itself, not the cabinet opening) and check it against standard sizes — our made-to-measure guide has the full size tables and a two-minute way to check. If your kitchen is older or was custom-built, you may need made-to-measure doors instead.

Step 2: Check the Hinge Drill Positions

Measure from the top and bottom of a door to the centre of the nearest hinge hole. Our doors are pre-drilled at 98mm from top and bottom, which matches most modern ranges. If yours differ, you can order undrilled doors and drill them to match, or adjust the hinge fixing plates.

Step 3: Count and List Everything

Go round the kitchen and list every door and drawer front with its width and height. Don't forget end panels, and note any glass or feature doors. This becomes your order.

Step 4: Order Doors, and New Hinges if Needed

Order your replacement kitchen doors in your chosen style and finish. If your existing hinges are worn, order new soft-close ones at the same time so everything matches and closes cleanly. Order a sample door first to check the colour in your own light.

Step 5: Fit the New Doors

• Unclip the old doors from the hinges and remove the hinges from the doors (leaving the mounting plates in the carcass if you're reusing them).
• Fit the hinges into the new doors' pre-drilled cups and clip them onto the existing plates.
• Use the three hinge adjustment screws (height, depth, sideways) to line every door up.
• Swap drawer fronts using the adjustable fixings on the drawer box, and fit handles last once everything is aligned.

The Result

A brand-new-looking kitchen in a weekend, for a fraction of the cost of replacing everything. Browse replacement doors, or read our door-style guide to choose a finish. Questions? Call 02920 007 948.