The not-so-obvious reasons a simple door swap can turn into a headache

We get it. You look at your kitchen and think, “If I just swap the doors, I’ll have a brand-new look for a fraction of the cost.” 

On the surface, it seems like a simple, smart idea. But here’s the thing: replacing old kitchen doors is not always the silver bullet for a quick and easy transformation. In fact, it often turns into a trickier (and more expensive) job than people expect. It’s a bit like respraying an old car: shiny on the surface, but the underlying wear and tear is still there.

At Ren Studio, we’d rather be straight with you. Some companies will happily sell you doors even if they’re never going to look right in your space. That’s not our style – we’d prefer you know the tricky parts upfront, so you’re not left disappointed with the result.

Here’s why swapping out doors on an existing kitchen isn’t always quite as straightforward as it seems:

1. Your measurements need to be millimetre-perfect

When we make custom doors for non-IKEA kitchens, we rely 100% on the measurements you provide. That means every single number needs to be perfectly precise down to the millimetre. A door that’s even 2mm too big won’t open properly; too small and you’re left with uneven gaps. It’s not impossible to get right, but it’s also not exactly the casual weekend DIY job most people imagine.

2. Cabinets aren’t always as “straight” as they look

Even if your cabinets look like they’re in great condition, it’s important to remember that kitchen joinery naturally moves and settles over time. Cabinets can sag, warp, or may not have been installed perfectly square from the beginning. That means new doors won’t always just glide on and line up beautifully – instead, there’s often a lot of fiddly onsite adjustment to try and make them sit straight. Sometimes, despite everyone’s best efforts, a perfect finish just isn’t possible.

3. Some panels are *very* tricky to replace 

Not all parts of a kitchen are designed to come out easily. Cover panels, for example, are often installed before the benchtop goes on, which means they can’t be removed without some fairly major surgery. So even if you replace the doors, some of the old finishes might need to stay put – and that can limit how “new” your kitchen really feels.

4. Hinge holes are a headache

Unlike IKEA’s modular system, where hinge positions are always in the same place, custom kitchens vary wildly. That’s why we can’t pre-drill hinge holes for custom doors – it’s nearly impossible to guarantee perfect placement. The drilling has to happen onsite, which is both time-consuming and fiddly. 

5. Installers aren’t fans of this kind of work

Most installers will tell you they’d much rather fit out a whole new kitchen than try to hang new doors on an old one. Why? Because it’s painstaking, slow, and often leads to compromises in the final look. And if a professional installer finds it frustrating, you can imagine how it feels for a DIY-er.

6. The finish may not match the dream

Even if the new doors go on smoothly, there’s still the question of how everything else looks. Old kickboards, tired benchtops, and dated appliances can make fresh doors feel out of place. In the end, the kitchen can still look “patched up” rather than truly refreshed.

So, what’s the better option?

If you love the bones of your kitchen and want to keep costs under control, a more reliable path is to work with a system that’s designed for door swaps – like IKEA’s. Their modular cabinetry ensures square, consistent sizing, which makes fitting new doors (like ours) far less stressful and much more rewarding.

For non-IKEA kitchens, the reality is that a full replacement often delivers better value in the long run. It means everything is straight, aligned, and designed to work together, giving you that polished, “new kitchen” look you were dreaming of in the first place.

✨ Bottom line: Swapping just the doors can sound like the ultimate kitchen hack, but it’s usually not the shortcut people hope for. If you’re going to invest in a makeover, more often than not, it’s worth doing it in a way that sets you up for a smooth installation and a beautiful finish – without the hidden headaches! 

👉 At Ren Studio, we keep things simple: our doors are designed to fit IKEA’s modular kitchens perfectly. No stress, no compromises – just a flawless finish that will make your new kitchen your happy place. Check out our profiles and finishes or order samples to see what’s possible.