How to Use Wood Veneer to Reface Kitchen Cabinets (DIY Kitchen Cabinet Update)

A complete step-by-step tutorial for how to use wood veneer on kitchen cabinets to give them a whole new look! How I covered my kitchen cabinet frames with wood veneer to cover up orange oak cabinets.

If you have thought about updating your kitchen cabinets and don't want to paint them or are looking for a wood finish look cabinet update, check out this kitchen cabinet makeover idea.

📕Table of Contents📕
00:41 Kitchen cabinets before
00:52 What is veneer?
01:38 Step 1: Remove cabinet doors, drawers, & hinges
02:13 Step 2: Clean cabinets
02:59 Step 3: Sand cabinets
03:31 Step 4: Apply Edge Band
04:47 Step 5: Apply veneer to end of cabinets
06:54 Step 6: Apply Veneer to face of cabinets
08:32 Step 7: Trim the edges
11:33 Step 8: Finish kitchen cabinet veneering
12:22 Kitchen cabinets after refacing with wood veneer
12:51 Outro

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[bryantawney]

As someone who veneers for a living, this is exactly how it’s done. Great job!

[Laulau-eebz]

I went to a kitchen remodel business and they didn’t even want to do it. They said I would be better off replacing the whole pantry. So, I found your tutorial and said I can do that myself! So I ordered the veneer and will be starting the job shortly. Thanks so much for all the information. It was great.

[annealston]

OMG! Finally someone on YouTube with cabinets like mine. I've been trying to figure out what to do with mine and you, my dear are a lifesaver. Thank you for recording this video and the other one with the doors. Such a a great idea.

[mahasukh]

I have been designing and building cabinets and furniture for 40 years. this is a wonderful and informative video. well done and beautiful job...thanks

[gailkellum]

WOW! You did a beautiful job! And what a difference it makes.

[xjuhnx]

Wow, amazing! Thanks for sharing these tips — the result looks great

[ldrfade]

I have a few suggestions. I also do cabinet refaces and custom builds. First put shellac on the cabinet surfaces so the veneer will stay on and secondly, no need to cut the edges with a knife just use a router to trim excess and it will give you a beautiful finished edge. But very great work

[lanaalley]

Incredibly helpful, step-by-step video- Thank you!!

[sandyjackson]

More videos! Im getting ready to redo my kitchen and this video is a huge help!

[AltimaNEO]

This went from 0 to 100 in a flash. The majority of the project, I was questioning if this was a good idea, because not gonna lie, it looked pretty bad. But the finished product speaks for itself. Looks great!

[jessicaleesantana]

I am so impressed! This is so good and exactly what I needed to see and learn so thank you!! Our kitchen has the same cabinets! The same ugly orange color and we just got quoted by refacers for $13, 000 😮😮😮 no thank

[jenniferkilmer]

I think I am going to try refacing per your directions. I have cheap finish white cabinets made to look like wood (I’m confident they are pressboard/mdf). New cabinets are definitely not in the budget right now. Yours look incredible- if mine can be anywhere close to yours I would be over the moon!

[gateslattes]

Watched a video they did entire face frames 1 big piece
Looks like a cleaner job
Thanks for video

[sschorf]

Late to the party, but I agree with the shellac & would also us instead of Polycrylic. Polycrylic looks a bit plastic-y vs shellac really brings out the wood better. Shellac dries extremely fast, so a nice sprayer is needed (and good ventilation).

Good job either way.

[Artist]

Loooove this. My 1965 house has cool cabinets with a flat panel, but the laminate is ugly. I was wondering if i could peel it off and put on a veneer to make it look higher quality. This answered my question. Love the end result!!!

[estergomeztorio]

Can you remove the veneer in case you want to go back to the original look?

[kristinabrown]

Hi! I am so excited to find your videos. I am planning my own project. I wonder why you have to clean with TSP if you're going to sand?

[sethhamilton]

A cool trick is to pop the flat wide blade out of a sharp plane and use it instead of the knife. Way less chance of slicing into anything. 🎉

[rhondafurrow]

I would love to do this except I have decorative molding on the front of my cabinet doors

[JulieClosson-dw]

Can you do this with countertops on as well? I see you removed crown but mine has crown trim up to a soffit so im afraid of damaging wall 😢 but these are awesome!