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Can I mount a butcher block to the wall to use as a counter?

11 years ago

Hi!
I am new to GW and am excited to see what suggestions I receive. I am having trouble with a large low window in my kitchen. The window is 62" wide x 50.5" tall, and the floor to window height is 31.5". I am currently using a kitchen cart as an island. I'm tired of using the cart and would love to install a butcher block countertop under the window. I would really appreciate your opinions and suggestions on what you think the best solution is. FYI.. The cabinets/countertops currently installed are 35.5" tall. Thanks in advance for your time!

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Comments (4)

northcarolina
11 years ago
The width would be limited by the top drawers in the cabinets on each side -- they will need to be able to pull out all the way. I would be afraid it'd be difficult to get around a counter to get to those drawers and the side counters as well; you would need at least 2-3 feet clear in front of those existing cabinets and that wouldn't leave much room for a counter under the window. Also, will it be comfortable for you to work on a lower counter? You might be able to install a flip-up counter that would lie flat against the wall until you needed the extra work surface, if you could find the right hardware.

I hate to say it, but it looks as though a rolling cart is probably the best option here (short of raising the windowsill and then installing all new cabinets in a U-shape).
scrappy25
11 years ago
Tough and I agree that the rolling cart is probably best. However, if you are really wanting this countertop space, you could remove the ?stool? trim (the bottom vertical part of the window trim)and the top drawers on each side (perhaps the 2nd drawer on the left as well). Place a shelf inside the cabinets under where the drawers are and use lower height slide out baskets on top of those shelves in place of the drawers to store less-used items. You could then add a counter under the window and still have some use out of those blocked areas. You might want to limit the depth so that you can still access the main part of the cabinet on the left and the lower drawers on the right. This could be a real PITA though. If you are considering this you should mock it up with plywood across that space laid on top of the counters to see what it feels like accessing those blocked drawers and cabinet.
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My husband would prefer the local marble be used around the perimeter, which may need to happen because there's a chance the butcher block manufacturers won't ship it with the sink hole cut as it may not be stable enough, and then we're back to the same place we were at with the Ikea countertops. Well not quite, but still needing to find a finishing carpenter willing to make that cut. It turns out that not even the butcher block makers like cutting undermount sink holes. BUT... the marble would be standard 1.25" tall, and our cabinet boxes are 34" from the floor. The minimum height of the cooktop surface of the induction range we've purchased is 36". I feel like a 3/4" difference between the counter height and cooktop is more of a deal breaker for me than the chance of the butcher block getting gunky around the sink. I can get the butcher block at 1.75" so there would just be a 1/4" difference between the cooktop and countertop.
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dutchaccent
11 years ago
Hi Madoosi, having those drawers there complicates things, unless you don't mind losing access to them. Maybe you can have a counter with some kind of hinges on two sides so that you can flip up (or down) a piece of the counter on either side when you need to access a drawer. I agree with scrapy25 to do a mock-up of a counter (maybe on top of your cart?). I can't wait to see what you come up with. I hope you will send us a picture.
Madoosie
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks so much for the replies. Yes those drawers and cabinets are a big issue. Even bigger is the fact that the oven door is in the way too. The oven door needs at least 20 in on either side to be able to open fully. I was looking at the ikea drop leaf wall table to put there, however am really wanting something different.
I am short so I don't mind the lowered countertop, plus my daughter loves to help me prepare the meals. That is why I would like something wider/longer rather than square so there is more room for the two of us. I like the idea of mock countertop, I think I will start with that.

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