.png)
Kitchen cabinet doors play a major role in how your kitchen looks, feels and functions. They are the part of the kitchen you see every day, so changing them can have a huge impact without replacing the full room.
Whether you are refreshing existing units, planning a kitchen makeover or ordering made-to-measure replacements, it is important to understand sizes, styles, finishes, hinge options and measuring before you buy. This guide explains everything you need to know about kitchen cabinet doors before placing an order.
What Are Kitchen Cabinet Doors?
Kitchen cabinet doors are the visible fronts fitted to your kitchen units. They sit on base units, wall units, tall units, larder cupboards and integrated appliance units. Along with drawer fronts, panels and handles, they define the overall look of the kitchen.
In many kitchens, the cabinet carcasses remain strong for years, but the doors begin to look dated, worn or out of step with the rest of the home. Replacing the doors allows you to update the appearance of the room while keeping the existing layout and units.
KBB offers a wide range of replacement kitchen cabinet doors, including modern, traditional, gloss, acrylic, handle-less, made-to-measure and five-piece options.
Why Replace Kitchen Cabinet Doors?
Replacing kitchen cabinet doors is a practical option when the existing units are still in good condition but the visible fronts need updating. It can help you refresh the kitchen without the disruption of removing the full room.
Reasons to replace kitchen cabinet doors include:
- The doors are scratched, faded, chipped or worn.
- The colour no longer suits your decor.
- The style feels dated.
- The units are still strong but the fronts need replacing.
- You want to change from traditional to modern, or modern to classic.
- You want new drawer fronts to match the doors.
- You are updating a property before selling or renting.
- You want a quicker refresh than a full kitchen refit.
If your kitchen layout still works and the cabinets are solid, replacing the doors can be a cost-conscious way to give the room a new look.
Kitchen Cabinet Door Sizes Explained
Kitchen cabinet doors come in many different sizes because kitchen units vary by layout, height, width and purpose. Even in the same kitchen, wall unit doors, base unit doors, tall doors and drawer fronts can all be different.
When ordering replacement kitchen cabinet doors, the most important thing is to measure the existing door or drawer front accurately. Do not assume that a door is a standard size just because it looks similar to another one.
Common types of kitchen cabinet doors
- Base unit doors: fitted to lower cupboards beneath the worktop.
- Wall unit doors: fitted to upper cupboards mounted on the wall.
- Tall unit doors: used for larders, tall storage or appliance housing.
- Integrated appliance doors: fitted to appliances such as dishwashers or fridges.
- Corner unit doors: used where cabinets meet at a corner.
- Drawer fronts: matched to the cabinet doors for a complete finish.
Standard sizes vs custom sizes
Some kitchens use common door sizes, while others need custom or made-to-measure pieces. Older kitchens, bespoke units, altered layouts and non-standard cabinets may all require doors made to specific measurements.
If your existing doors are unusual sizes, KBB’s made-to-measure kitchen doors are a useful option.
How to Measure Kitchen Cabinet Doors
Accurate measuring is essential before ordering kitchen cabinet doors. A small mistake can affect the fit, spacing and overall finish, so it is worth taking your time.
In most replacement projects, you should measure the existing door or drawer front rather than the cabinet opening. The existing door already accounts for the correct overlay and how the front sits on the cabinet.
Measuring steps
- Open or remove the existing cabinet door if needed.
- Measure the height in millimetres.
- Measure the width in millimetres.
- Measure each drawer front separately.
- Record hinge positions if hinge holes are needed.
- Label each door by location, such as “left wall unit” or “sink base door”.
- Repeat the process for every door and drawer front.
- Double-check all measurements before ordering.
KBB’s how to measure a door guide is a useful resource to follow before you place an order.
Measuring mistakes to avoid
- Measuring in centimetres instead of millimetres.
- Mixing up height and width.
- Measuring the cabinet opening instead of the existing door.
- Assuming matching doors are identical sizes.
- Forgetting drawer fronts.
- Not checking hinge positions.
- Forgetting tall doors, integrated appliance doors or panels.
Kitchen Cabinet Door Styles
Style is one of the biggest decisions when choosing kitchen cabinet doors. The style affects whether the kitchen feels traditional, modern, minimal, warm, bold or timeless.
Shaker and five-piece kitchen cabinet doors
Shaker and five-piece kitchen cabinet doors are popular because they are versatile. Their framed design can suit traditional homes, modern country kitchens and simple contemporary spaces.
These doors can be styled in different ways depending on the colour and handle choice. Cup handles create a more classic look, slim bar handles feel more modern and knobs can soften the overall design.
To explore this style, view KBB’s 5 piece construction kitchen doors or the 5 Piece Shaker Kitchen Doors product page.
Slab kitchen cabinet doors
Slab doors have a flat front with minimal detailing. They are ideal for clean, modern kitchens and can help make the room feel more streamlined.
Slab kitchen cabinet doors are also practical because they have fewer grooves and profiles, which can make them easier to wipe down.
Handle-less kitchen cabinet doors
Handle-less kitchen cabinet doors are designed for a sleek, uncluttered look. They work especially well in modern homes, open-plan kitchens and smaller rooms where visual simplicity matters.
For this look, browse KBB’s handle-less kitchen doors or the Treviso Handle-less Kitchen Doors product page.
Gloss kitchen cabinet doors
Gloss kitchen cabinet doors can reflect light and help a kitchen feel brighter. They are often chosen for modern kitchens and compact spaces where a reflective surface can make the room feel more open.
View KBB’s high gloss kitchen doors or the High Gloss Kitchen Doors product page.
Acrylic kitchen cabinet doors
Acrylic kitchen cabinet doors offer a smooth, polished look that suits contemporary kitchens. They are a strong option if you want a sleek finish with a modern feel.
To compare acrylic options, visit KBB’s acrylic kitchen doors or the Sorrento Acrylic Kitchen Doors product page.
Économique kitchen cabinet doors
Économique kitchen cabinet doors are a practical choice for many replacement projects, with a broad range of colours and woodgrain styles. They are useful when you want a flexible and cost-conscious kitchen refresh.
Browse KBB’s Économique kitchen doors or the Économique Kitchen Doors product page.
Paintable kitchen cabinet doors
Paintable kitchen cabinet doors are ideal if you want a custom colour. They give you the flexibility to choose your own paint shade rather than working within a fixed colour range.
View KBB’s paintable kitchen doors if you want a personalised finish.
Kitchen Cabinet Door Finishes
Finish affects both the appearance and the feel of kitchen cabinet doors. Some finishes are soft and understated, while others are reflective, textured or bold.
Matt kitchen cabinet doors
Matt doors have a softer, less reflective surface. They are a good choice if you want a calm, contemporary kitchen that feels understated and easy to live with.
Gloss kitchen cabinet doors
Gloss doors reflect light and can help brighten the room. They are often used in modern kitchens, especially where the aim is to create a clean, polished finish.
Woodgrain kitchen cabinet doors
Woodgrain doors add warmth and texture. They are useful if you want a natural look or want to soften a kitchen that could otherwise feel too plain or clinical.
For warm wood-inspired designs, browse KBB’s Supreme Wood kitchen doors.
Painted-look kitchen cabinet doors
Painted-look doors are popular for classic, shaker and modern country kitchens. They can create a softer finish than gloss and work well in neutral, blue, green and grey colour schemes.
Paintable kitchen cabinet doors
Paintable doors are best when you want full control over the final colour. They are particularly useful if you are matching a specific wall colour, interior palette or design scheme.
Finish comparison
| Finish | Best For | Look and Feel |
|---|---|---|
| Matt | Modern and understated kitchens | Soft, calm and less reflective |
| Gloss | Compact or contemporary kitchens | Bright, polished and reflective |
| Acrylic | Sleek modern kitchens | Smooth and high-end in appearance |
| Woodgrain | Warm, natural and traditional schemes | Textured and characterful |
| Paintable | Custom colour projects | Flexible and personalised |
Choosing the Right Colour for Kitchen Cabinet Doors
Colour can completely change the feel of your kitchen. Light colours can make a space feel brighter and more open, while deeper colours can create contrast and a more dramatic look.
Popular kitchen cabinet door colours
- White: bright, clean and timeless.
- Cream or cashmere: warm, soft and easy to live with.
- Light grey: modern, neutral and flexible.
- Dust grey or graphite: stronger and more contemporary.
- Blue or navy: bold but still classic.
- Green: natural, calm and ideal for a warmer kitchen look.
- Black: dramatic, modern and best balanced with lighter surfaces.
- Woodgrain: warm and textured, especially useful in neutral spaces.
How to choose a colour
Look at the whole room before choosing a door colour. Worktops, flooring, wall colour, splashbacks, appliances and natural light will all affect how the final kitchen feels.
If the kitchen is small or dark, lighter cabinet doors may help the room feel more open. If the kitchen is bright and spacious, darker or bolder colours can work well as a feature.
Use the KBB gallery to compare real kitchen examples before making a final choice.
Hinges and Hinge Holes
Hinge holes are an important detail when ordering replacement kitchen cabinet doors. They are the circular recesses drilled into the back of the door so concealed hinges can sit correctly.
If you are replacing existing doors, you may need the new doors drilled to match the old hinge positions. This is why measuring hinge positions carefully matters.
Before ordering, check:
- Which side each door is hinged on.
- How many hinges each door uses.
- The distance from the top of the door to the hinge hole.
- The distance from the bottom of the door to the hinge hole.
- Whether tall doors need three or more hinges.
- Whether existing hinge plates are secure.
- Whether you need new hinges as part of the project.
If you are planning to fit the doors yourself, KBB’s how to hang your cupboard door guide explains the basic process.
Made-to-Measure Kitchen Cabinet Doors
Made-to-measure kitchen cabinet doors are useful when your existing cabinet doors are not standard sizes or when you need a more precise fit. This is often the case in older kitchens, bespoke kitchens or layouts that have been altered over time.
Made-to-measure doors may be right if:
- Your existing doors are unusual sizes.
- You have older kitchen units.
- You need tall larder doors.
- You need matching drawer fronts in specific measurements.
- You want to keep the existing units but improve the fit and finish.
- Your kitchen has bespoke or non-standard cabinets.
KBB’s made-to-measure kitchen doors are designed for projects where standard sizing is not the best fit.
Should You Replace Drawer Fronts Too?
In most cases, yes. Drawer fronts sit alongside the cabinet doors and are just as visible. If you replace the doors but leave old drawer fronts in place, the kitchen may look partly updated rather than fully refreshed.
Replacing doors and drawer fronts together helps create a consistent finish across the whole kitchen. It also gives you the chance to update handles, align colours and make the kitchen feel properly complete.
What Else Can Improve the Finished Look?
New kitchen cabinet doors can make a big difference on their own, but the final result often depends on the smaller details too.
Handles and knobs
Handles can change the style of the same door. Choose slim handles for a modern finish, cup handles for a classic shaker look or knobs for a softer traditional design.
End panels
If the side panels of your units are visible, consider replacing them to match the new doors. This can make the kitchen look more complete.
Plinths and trims
Plinths, cornices and pelmets can show wear over time. Replacing these pieces can help new kitchen cabinet doors blend into the full room.
Lighting
Good lighting can make new colours and finishes look their best. Under-cabinet lighting or brighter room lighting can help highlight the refresh.
Wall colour
A fresh wall colour can support the new cabinet doors. Pale walls can balance dark doors, while warmer neutrals can soften white, grey or gloss finishes.
Kitchen Cabinet Doors Ordering Checklist
Use this checklist before placing your order.
- Check that the existing units are strong and dry.
- Decide whether you are replacing doors only or doors and drawer fronts.
- Measure every existing door in millimetres.
- Measure every drawer front separately.
- Record hinge positions if hinge holes are required.
- Choose a style such as shaker, slab, gloss, acrylic or handle-less.
- Choose a finish such as matt, gloss, woodgrain, acrylic or paintable.
- Compare colours in your kitchen lighting.
- Consider samples before committing to a full order.
- Decide whether you need handles, panels, plinths or trims.
- Use KBB’s door measuring guide before ordering.
- Browse the KBB replacement kitchen doors range to compare options.
Ready to Choose New Kitchen Cabinet Doors?
Kitchen cabinet doors are one of the most important design features in your kitchen. By understanding sizes, styles, finishes, hinge positions and measuring, you can choose replacement doors that fit properly and suit the way you want the room to look.
Whether you prefer shaker, gloss, acrylic, handle-less, woodgrain, matt or made-to-measure kitchen cabinet doors, KBB offers a wide range of options to help you refresh your kitchen without replacing the full room.
Shop replacement kitchen doors
View made-to-measure kitchen doors
View 5 piece construction kitchen doors
FAQs About Kitchen Cabinet Doors
Can I replace kitchen cabinet doors without replacing the units?
Yes, if the existing units are still strong and in good condition, you can usually replace the kitchen cabinet doors and drawer fronts without replacing the full cabinets.
How do I measure kitchen cabinet doors?
Measure the height and width of the existing door in millimetres. Measure each door and drawer front separately, and record hinge positions if hinge holes are needed.
Are kitchen cabinet doors standard sizes?
Some kitchen cabinet doors are standard sizes, but many kitchens include different door sizes, drawer fronts, tall doors or custom pieces. Measuring each existing door is the safest approach.
What is the best style of kitchen cabinet door?
The best style depends on your kitchen and the look you want. Shaker doors are timeless, slab doors are modern, gloss doors can brighten the room, acrylic doors feel sleek and handle-less doors create a streamlined finish.
Should I replace drawer fronts at the same time?
Yes, replacing drawer fronts at the same time usually gives the best result because the full kitchen front will match.
When should I choose made-to-measure kitchen cabinet doors?
Made-to-measure doors are useful if your existing doors are unusual sizes, your kitchen is older or you need a tailored fit for non-standard cabinets.
Can I fit kitchen cabinet doors myself?
Many replacement kitchen cabinet doors can be fitted as a DIY project, especially when replacing like-for-like doors and using pre-drilled hinge holes. If the hinges or units are unusual, a fitter may be helpful.
