The average kitchen remodel price costs between $14,611 and $41,432. Cutting costs is important wherever you can. Changing out white kitchen drawer fronts in pre-existing cabinets is a great first step toward saving money.
Replacing just the cabinet drawer fronts is an inexpensive and simple way to update the look of your kitchen. You don’t even need to put in the time and effort required to replace the entire cabinet system!
Here, we’ll talk about:
- The tools you’ll need
- The basics of cabinet construction
- How to replace your drawers
- Other kitchen upgrade tips
Read on to learn all about kitchen drawer replacement!
Required Tools
There are a few tools you’ll need for a DIY drawer front change. They include:
- A drill or screwdriver
- Wood screws
- A tape measurer
You may also need a sander or some sandpaper. This will help you sand down the drawer edges so they fit smoothly into the pre-existing cabinet shape.
Drawer Fronts and Drawer Boxes
Drawer fronts are the visible front of a drawer. They’re what you see when you look at a cabinet. You use a built-in or attached handle to pull them open and get to the interior drawer box.
A drawer box is a box-shaped container that holds the drawer’s contents. Silverware and cooking utensils are common objects that might sit inside these boxes.
There are several different drawer front materials. The best options include nice-looking wood options. Some include:
- Oak
- Cherry
- Maple
- Hickory
This gives your kitchen a great aesthetic so it appears clean and contemporary. You may display the natural colors and grain of the wood. Some people also prefer to paint the front of the drawer to match other kitchen decor.
On the other hand, most drawer boxes are made from plywood. They’re not externally visible, so durability and low-cost materials are the priority. Plywood complies with both of these goals.
The most important thing to know when replacing drawers is the attachment methods for each of these parts of the drawer.
A drawer box has attached hardware that slips into the perfectly sized cabinet hole. The drawer front attaches to the drawer box. Basically, the box is the base for the front.
The drawer front is secured with small nails or dovetail joints. Wood screws are the best option for most homeowners.
Choosing Replacement Drawer Fronts
There is a wide range of white drawer front options. If you want a natural wood-look white aesthetic, consider investing in woods like:
- Eastern white pine softwood
- White oak
- European white beechwood
- American white ash
You can get these woods polished. You can also get them sanded down so they look sleek and rustic. Regardless, the visible grain and natural look make for perfect kitchen decor.
Other woods will need to be painted white before the drawer front is secured to the box. This creates a sleek and contemporary look that blends in with any other fixtures in the space. You can choose between cool eggshell hues and creamy warm whites depending on the mood you want to set.
Think about whether you want:
- Straight lines around the edges
- Etchings of natural shapes like flowers
- Geometric patterns on the drawer front
- Simple, clean drawers with no lines or etchings
You also should consider the basic types of drawer fronts available: 5-piece and slab drawer fronts.
5-Piece Drawer Fronts
White kitchen drawer fronts come in several styles. A five-piece drawer front is one of the most common options. It’s made from five pieces of wood, including:
- A four-piece drawer frame (made of four wood slabs)
- A central panel that can be either flat or raised
These drawer fronts are usually made to have the same detailing as the cabinet drawers beneath them. This creates a holistic visual appeal in any kitchen regardless of its overall design.
Slab Drawer Fronts
Slab drawer fronts are another option for kitchen drawer replacement. These are made from a single piece of wood. They:
- Have a flat and smooth front panel
- Incorporate sleek straight lines
- Have a clean and seamless aesthetic
They’re also extremely easy to install!
How to Replace a Drawer Box with 3 Walls
A drawer box with three walls is one on the front of a three-drawer chest. The construction of the box means that you need to follow specific steps for replacement.
You need to:
- Place the drawer box on a soft surface to prevent scratches
- Remove the current hardware
- Measure the old drawer front against the box
- Mark where the drawer meets the edges of the box
- Trim the old drawer front so its edges align flush with the box
- Replace the slides
- Test-fit the drawer box by sliding it into the frame
- Make any necessary adjustments
- Attach the new drawer front to the back of the drawer box
- Center the drawer front
- Secure it with screws
How to Replace a Drawer Box with 4 Walls
The process for replacing a drawer box with four walls is similar to replacing a three-drawer one. However, the construction of the cabinet and drawers means that there will be some minor differences.
The step-by-step replacement process requires you to:
- Set the drawer box on a soft surface like a blanket to prevent any scratches
- Take off the current hardware and remove the old drawer front.
- Lay the new drawer front face-down on the soft surface
- Align the front of the drawer box with the back of the new drawer front
- Ensure that the alignment is centered using a tape measure to confirm equal spacing on all sides
- Attach one side of the drawer front to the box with a screw
- Check the alignment by sliding the drawer into its frame
- Make any necessary adjustments to the alignment
- Secure the remaining screws
Upgrade Your White Kitchen Drawer Fronts Today
Now that you know the ins and outs of kitchen drawer replacement without getting new cabinets, it’s time to start upgrading your space.
LX Hausys offers a wide range of home fixtures. From countertop surfaces to cabinet materials, the possibilities are limitless.
Contact us to discuss your next kitchen renovation project today!
