Cabinet doors are one of the most commonly used features in kitchens and bathrooms. They can become worn and damaged over time and sometimes need to be replaced. But what if you could just reverse them? It turns out that you can actually reverse most cabinet doors, as long as they’re not mounted to the cabinet frame with hinges. This is a great way to give your cabinets a new look without spending a lot of money.
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What Does Flipping Cabinet Involve
Cabinet doors generally operate via hinges and are attached to the cabinet frame by way of a mortise and tenon joint. Keep in mind that the cabinet door will have to be cut in half in order to reverse it, which can be time-consuming, depending on the door’s size and location.
Once the door is removed, you’ll have to cut the mounting brackets off of the door and the cabinet frame. You can then slide the door back onto the cabinet frame and attach it to the hinges by way of a new mortise and tenon joints. The door can be flipped by adjusting the hinges so that they’re slightly open, allowing the door to be “flipped” inside out.
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What You’ll Need to Know
Before you get started, it’s important to note that reversing cabinet doors is not a one-size-fits-all solution. The process will vary depending on the type of cabinets you have and the hardware that is installed. With that being said, here are a few tips to help you reverse your cabinet doors:
If your cabinets have European-style hinges, you’ll need to remove the door and hinge from the cabinet frame. Then, flip the door over and reattach it to the frame.
If your cabinets have full-overlay doors, you’ll need to remove the door from the cabinet frame. Once the door is removed, flip it over and reattach it to the frame.
If your cabinets have partial-overlay doors, you can simply remove the door from the hinges and then flip it over and reattach it.
Once you’ve reversed the direction of your cabinet doors, you may need to adjust the hinges. This is a relatively easy process that can be done with a screwdriver.
How to Reverse Cabinet Doors
Remove the Doors From the Cabinet Frames
After the hinges have been removed, you can remove the doors from the cabinet frames.
This is a fairly easy process that can be done with a screwdriver or other small tool. At first, you may not know where to begin. Once you’ve determined which hinge is on the bottom of your cabinet doors, set your screwdriver against the hinge screw and push down on it. Turn the screw counter-clockwise.
Flip the Door
After the door has been removed from the cabinet frame, you can now flip it over so that the other side is facing out.
Reattach the Hinges to the Cabinet Doors
You’ll need to reattach the hinges to the cabinet doors. This is a fairly easy process that can be done with a screwdriver or other small tool.
First, you’ll need to determine which hinge is on the bottom of your cabinet doors. Set your screwdriver against the hinge screw and push down on it. Turn the screw clockwise to secure it in place.
Reattach the Door to the Cabinet Frame
Now that the door is flipped, you can reattach it to the cabinet frame. Use the reverse process of removing the door to put it back into place.
Tips for Replicating a New Look with Flipped Door
When flipping doors, try to create a mix and match look by combining different cabinet styles. This can be done by painting some of the cabinets one color and others a different color.
Another way to add interest is by adding wallpaper to the back of the cabinet. This is an easy way to add color and pattern to your kitchen or bathroom.
Conclusion
If your cabinet doors are tired or damaged, reversing them can give your cabinets a completely new look without replacing them. This is a simple process that can be done in your garage with basic tools. If you’re unsure about reversing your cabinet doors, you may want to try flipping just one door first to see how it goes.
