How to Measure Existing Cabinets for New Cabinet Doors and Drawer Fronts




Replacing your cabinet doors and drawer fronts is one of the easiest ways to give your kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, or built-ins a completely new look—without replacing the cabinet boxes.


If your existing cabinets are in good condition, Revive by Twin River Cabinets lets you update the style with brand-new doors and drawer fronts that are built specifically for your cabinets.


The key to a great fit? Accurate measurements.


Don't worry—it isn't as intimidating as it sounds. This guide will walk you through what to measure, common mistakes to avoid, and where to find detailed sizing instructions.



Is Revive Right for You?

Revive by Twin River Cabinets is ideal if your existing cabinet boxes are still structurally sound, but the doors and drawer fronts are outdated, worn, or no longer fit your style. Instead of replacing the entire cabinet system, Revive allows you to update the appearance of your space by replacing only the doors and drawer fronts.


Revive is a great fit for:

  • Kitchens
  • Bathrooms
  • Laundry rooms
  • Mudrooms
  • Built-ins
  • Home offices


However, Revive may not be the right solution if:

  • Your cabinet boxes are damaged or falling apart.
  • You're changing the layout of your kitchen or bathroom.
  • You need additional cabinets or different cabinet sizes.


In those cases, one of our custom or semi-custom cabinet collections may be a better fit.



What Revive Includes (and What It Doesn't)

Revive is designed for homeowners whose existing cabinet boxes are still in good condition but are ready for a fresh new look.


Each order includes custom-built cabinet doors and drawer fronts only. Every piece is built to your finished dimensions using one-piece MDF, providing a smooth, stable surface that's ideal for painted finishes. Doors and drawer fronts are supplied unfinished and ready for paint, allowing you or your painter to finish them in the color of your choice.


Because every project is unique:

  • You provide the measurements.
  • We build each door and drawer front to your specifications.
  • Installation is completed by you or your contractor.


Revive is perfect for DIY homeowners, contractors, or painters looking to transform existing cabinetry without replacing the cabinet boxes.


Good to Know: Revive orders under 10 doors or drawer fronts are subject to a $250 shop minimum.



Before You Start Measuring

You'll only need a few basic tools:

  • Tape measure
  • Pencil
  • Paper or notebook
  • Your phone to take photos


You can leave your existing cabinet doors in place while gathering information, although many homeowners find it easier to measure once a door has been removed.



Step 1: Make Sure Revive Is Right for Your Cabinets

Revive works best when your existing cabinet boxes are still in good condition and you're simply looking for a new style.


It's a great option for:

  • Kitchens
  • Bathrooms
  • Laundry rooms
  • Mudrooms
  • Built-ins
  • Home offices


Instead of replacing the entire cabinet system, you'll replace only the cabinet doors and drawer fronts, giving your space a fresh new appearance while keeping the cabinet boxes already in your home.



Step 2: Measure Every Cabinet Opening

One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is assuming identical cabinets are exactly the same size. Even if two cabinets look identical, measure every opening individually.


Cabinets—especially in older homes—can vary slightly, and those small differences matter when ordering custom-built doors.


Measure the inside width and inside height of every cabinet opening to the nearest 1/16 inch.


TRC Tip - Create a simple sketch of your kitchen and number each cabinet opening. As you measure, write each dimension directly on the sketch. It makes ordering much easier and helps prevent mistakes.



Step 3: Decide on Your Door Overlay

The next step is choosing your overlay.


Overlay refers to how far the cabinet door extends beyond the cabinet opening.


The two most common choices are:

  • ½-inch Partial Overlay (recommended for most projects)
  • 1¼-inch Full Overlay


If you're replacing existing doors, matching your current overlay often creates the easiest transition.



Step 4: Calculate Your Final Door Sizes

Once you've measured each cabinet opening and selected your overlay, it's time to determine the finished size of your new doors.


For a Single Door

If one door covers the entire cabinet opening, add your chosen overlay to all four sides of the opening.

For the most common ½-inch overlay, that means adding:

  • 1 inch to the width
  • 1 inch to the height


Example:

  • Cabinet opening: 24" W × 24" H
  • Overlay: ½"
  • Final door size: 25" W × 25" H


For Two Doors on One Cabinet

If two doors share one cabinet opening, you'll first calculate the overall finished door width using your chosen overlay.

Then:

  1. Divide the finished width in half.
  2. Subtract 1/16 inch from each door to create a small gap between them when they're closed.


Example:

  • Cabinet opening: 24" W × 24" H
  • Overlay: ½"
  • Overall finished size: 25" W × 25" H
  • Divide the width in half: 12½"
  • Final door size: 12 7/16" W × 25" H (each door)


TRC Tip - As a general rule, cabinet doors should not exceed 25 inches wide. Wider openings are typically split into two doors for better appearance and long-term performance.



Don't Forget Drawer Fronts

Drawer fronts should also be measured individually. Just like cabinet openings, drawer sizes can vary throughout the kitchen—even when they appear identical.


Taking a few extra minutes to verify each measurement helps ensure everything fits correctly.



Take Photos

Photos are incredibly helpful when requesting a quote.

Include:

  • Overall photos of the room
  • Straight-on photos of each cabinet run
  • Close-up photos of any unusual cabinets
  • Existing hinge locations (if possible)


Photos allow us to better understand your project and answer questions before production begins.



Common Measuring Mistakes

Avoid these common issues:

  • Measuring the old door instead of the cabinet opening
  • Assuming every cabinet is the same size
  • Forgetting to measure drawer fronts
  • Rounding measurements instead of measuring to the nearest 1/16"
  • Guessing your overlay
  • Forgetting to label your measurements


A little extra care during measuring helps ensure your new doors fit beautifully.



What to Send With Your Quote Request

When you're ready for a quote, it's helpful to include:

  • Final door and drawer front dimensions (or cabinet opening dimensions if you're asking us to help calculate door sizes)
  • Your preferred door style
  • Photos of your cabinets
  • Any questions about overlay or hardware


Revive offers more than 20 one-piece MDF door styles, all built to order for painted finishes. Hardware drilling is available upon request, and soft-close Blum hinges are also available.



Frequently Asked Questions

Can I measure with my old cabinet doors still installed?

Yes. Many homeowners do, although removing a door can sometimes make measuring easier.


Do I measure the old door or the cabinet opening?

Measure the cabinet opening first. Door size is then calculated based on your chosen overlay.


What if two cabinets look the same size?

Measure both. Even cabinets that appear identical can vary slightly.


What if I'm not sure which overlay I need?

That's okay. Contact us before ordering, and we'll help you determine which overlay is the best choice for your project.


Can Revive be used for bathrooms and laundry rooms?

Absolutely. Revive works anywhere your cabinet boxes are still in good condition, including kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, mudrooms, built-ins, and home offices.



Ready to Refresh Your Cabinets?

If your cabinet boxes are still in good shape, replacing the doors and drawer fronts can dramatically transform your space without the cost and disruption of a full cabinet replacement.


Gather your measurements, choose your favorite door style, and send us your project details. We'll help you take the next step toward giving your cabinets a fresh new look.


For detailed overlay calculations and measuring examples, be sure to download the Revive by TRC PDF. It includes illustrated measuring instructions, overlay examples, and an order form to help simplify the process.



Planning Your Cabinet Project?

Before requesting an estimate, these resources may help: