Cabinet Restyling vs. Replacement: What CO Homeowners Need to Know

The Real Decision: Restyle or Replace?

As the holidays approach, many Colorado families are preparing to open their homes for dinners, celebrations, and memories made in the kitchen.  If you’re like many Colorado homeowners, you may be looking around and feeling you’re ready for a kitchen upgrade, but not the months of dust, demolition, and six-figure remodel quotes that often come with it.  

The truth is, most kitchens don’t need a full gut renovation to look brand-new.  The biggest visual change almost always comes from the cabinets.

That’s why the smartest choice often comes down to two clear paths:  restyling (also known as refacing) your existing cabinets, or replacing them with entirely new ones.

Both can deliver a stunning transformation, but the right choice depends on your budget, timeline, and the condition of your existing cabinets.

Let’s break down what each option includes, what it costs in Colorado, and how to make the best decision for your home and budget.

What Cabinet Restyling Really Involves (and Why It’s Gaining Ground)

Cabinet restyling gives your kitchen a fresh, high-end look by updating what you see and touch every day, without removing your existing cabinet boxes.   Here’s what the process includes:

• Removing old doors and drawer fronts
  
  
• Applying new face frames using premium veneer or laminate
  
  
• Installing brand-new doors, drawers, and soft-close hardware
  
  
• Adding crown molding, end panels, and trim for a factory-fresh finish

According to kitchen remodeling industry standards, cabinet restyling projects are typically completed in 2-5 days, compared to 3-8 weeks for complete cabinet replacement.  This is a significant advantage for busy homeowners who can't lose kitchen access for months.  Or for those planning for the holidays.

Since your plumbing, flooring, and layout remain untouched, the average project wraps up in 2 to 5 days, not 5 to 8 weeks.

And because you’re reusing your cabinet boxes, restyling costs up to 50% less than replacement while preventing 200–300 pounds of MDF or particle board from ending up in Colorado landfills.  Great news for those of us who look to conserve cost, resources, and limit our carbon footprint.

According to industry research on sustainable remodeling practices, cabinet refacing produces approximately 75% less landfill waste than full replacement. It diverts hundreds of pounds of material from landfills while significantly reducing the project's carbon footprint and impact on the environment.

What Cabinet Replacement Entails

Cabinet replacement means a full tear-out and rebuild—removing your existing cabinet boxes and installing all-new stock, semi-custom, or fully custom units.

Industry cost analyses show that cabinet restyling typically costs 5-15% less than full replacement while delivering comparable visual impact, making it one of the highest-value kitchen updates available to homeowners.  

According to HomeAdvisor's 2025 data, stock cabinet materials typically cost $100–$300 per linear foot installed, while custom cabinets can reach $500–$1,200 per linear foot of material.  For a mid-range kitchen cabinet remodel in Colorado, the materials alone may range from $8,000 to well over $35,000.

Regional averages show:

• Denver: $260–$570 per linear foot, depending on materials and customization
  
  
• Colorado Springs: $8,000–$11,000 for stock cabinets; $15,000–$20,000 for custom replacements

Add in removal and labor costs—$300–$800 for disposal and $40–$80 per hour for installation—and replacement costs can quickly climb beyond expectations.

Cost Comparison: Restyling vs. Replacement (Colorado 2025)

For homeowners who want speed, savings, and style, without a full-scale renovation and weeks of waiting, restyling often offers the most balanced approach.

When Replacement Makes More Sense

While cabinet restyling works for most Colorado kitchens, there are times when a full replacement is the smarter long-term move—especially when your goals go beyond aesthetics.

Consider a full replacement if:

• Your cabinet boxes are compromised.  Warping, cracking, or water damage around sinks or dishwashers can signal deeper structural issues that restyling can’t correct.
  
  
• You’re rethinking your layout.  If you’re relocating appliances, adding an island, or opening a wall, new cabinetry ensures a precise fit and flow.
  
  
• You’re investing in fully custom millwork.  Built-in hutch designs, floor-to-ceiling pantries, or integrated appliance panels often require starting fresh to meet exact specifications.
  
  
• You’re remodeling for long-term resale appeal.  A cohesive, high-end layout with custom cabinetry can elevate the overall market value of luxury homes or full kitchen remodels.

Full replacement also gives you the freedom to reimagine your kitchen’s footprint, change cabinet depths, improve ergonomics, or integrate hidden storage that stock boxes can’t support.  It’s a clean slate for homeowners who want total creative control.

When Restyling Is the Smarter Choice

For most Colorado homeowners, the cabinets themselves aren’t the problem, the finish and style are. If your cabinet boxes are solid, straight, and structurally sound, restyling offers a better return on investment, faster results, and far less disruption than a full tear-out.

Restyling makes the most sense when you want to transform your kitchen without starting from scratch.  You’ll keep your layout and cabinet boxes, but completely refresh what you see and touch every day.

It’s especially ideal if you’re:

• A busy professional who can’t afford to lose your kitchen for 6–8 weeks while waiting on custom cabinetry.
  
  
• A growing family watching both time and budget, looking for a beautiful update that doesn’t require moving appliances or plumbing.
  
  
• A downsizing homeowner who wants the look and quality of a luxury kitchen without overspending on a full remodel.
  
  
• An eco-conscious renovator who values reusing what’s solid and avoiding hundreds of pounds of landfill waste.

With restyling, you get the look of brand-new custom cabinets, without the cost, chaos, or waste.  And when done with HomePride’s Duracore™ and V32 laminate system, your upgraded cabinets won’t just look new, they’ll stay beautiful for decades, resisting scratches, chips, and Colorado’s dry climate swings.

The HomePride Difference: Duracore™ + Lifetime Warranty

HomePride didn’t invent cabinet restyling, but we did reengineer it for durability and performance.

Our exclusive V32 laminate is the thickest in the industry.   It is bonded to Duracore™ doors—a proprietary blend of five hardwoods (ash, maple, birch, red oak, and okoume) that are ground then mixed with resin that resists cracking, moisture, and warping.  This engineered material is specifically designed to handle Colorado’s changing climate, from hot, humid summers to cold, dry winters, ensuring long-term durability and stability year-round.

We also custom-cut and install each stile and rail individually (not as a single sheet), delivering the look of true custom cabinetry without the wait.

Every restyle is VGO-certified, having passed rigorous testing through VGO Laboratories, a third-party consumer testing facility.  Each panel we design undergoes six rigorous tests for heat, impact, and longevity, backed by a lifetime warranty on all parts and labor.

The end result is that you receive kitchen cabinets that are beautiful, durable, and guaranteed to last through the toughest at-home use.

Duracore™ Cabinet Restyling: Features That Set It Apart

Colorado ROI & Sustainability Impact

Not only do kitchen cabinet restyles add beauty and durability to your home, but they also add real value to it.  According to Remodeling Magazine's Cost vs. Value Report, a minor kitchen remodel, which includes cabinet restyling, recoups up to 96% of its cost at resale, while a major kitchen remodel returns only about 42% on average.  

That means a $25,000 restyling project can return roughly $24,000 in home value, versus a $25,000 remodel that only brings back $10,500.   In addition, refinished kitchen cabinets help Colorado homes sell faster, meaning less money lost while your home sits on the market.  Here are some statistics to consider:

• Zillow research demonstrates that homes with newly painted or refinished cabinets sell for an average of 2% more than those without, and updated kitchens consistently command faster sales due to increased buyer desirability.

• Redfin’s 2023 report states that homes with updated kitchens can command 3% to 7% higher selling prices and are more appealing to buyers, resulting in shorter listing times.

• The Colorado Association of REALTORS and multiple local real estate blogs confirm that minor kitchen updates, such as cabinet painting and refacing, improve resale value and reduce average market time for listings across Colorado cities, especially in competitive seller’s markets.

Thinking About Updating Your Kitchen?

If your kitchen needs a refresh—not a rebuild—cabinet restyling is Colorado’s fastest-growing way to upgrade with confidence.

At HomePride, we’ve helped hundreds of Colorado homeowners transform their kitchens with transparent pricing, expert craftsmanship, and the industry’s best warranty.

Want to know what’s possible in your space?  Schedule your 15-minute call to start the conversation and Get a Free, No-Pressure Quote.

Appointments are being filled as we approach the holidays, so start the discussion now and see just how beautiful and affordable your new kitchen can be.

✅ Key Takeaway:
For most Colorado homes, cabinet restyling delivers 80% of the impact for 5 - 15% of the cost—and pays you back more at resale than nearly any other kitchen upgrade.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ 1: Is cabinet restyling really worth it compared to full replacement?

Answer:
Yes.  Cabinet restyling delivers up to 80% of the visual impact of a complete remodel for roughly 5 - 15% of the cost, making it one of Colorado’s best return-on-investment kitchen upgrades.  It also adds up to 96% of the cost value back into your home.   Lastly, refacing reuses your existing cabinet boxes, restyling produces 75% less landfill waste, offering both economic and environmental advantages over replacement.

FAQ 2: How long does cabinet restyling take vs. replacing cabinets?

Answer:
A professional cabinet restyle is typically completed in two to five days, while a full cabinet replacement can stretch three to eight weeks due to demolition, installation, and finishing.  Restyling avoids plumbing or flooring changes, so homeowners keep full kitchen access with minimal disruption; a solution ideal for busy households or quick holiday upgrades.

FAQ 3: When should I choose a full cabinet replacement instead of restyling?

Answer:
Opt for full replacement when your cabinet boxes are structurally damaged, water-warped, or when changing your kitchen layout.  If you’re planning custom millwork, integrated appliances, or a complete redesign, replacement offers total flexibility.  However, if your cabinet boxes are solid and you simply want a new look, restyling is the smarter, faster, and more sustainable choice.