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Should I Keep This Refrigerator Cabinet or Ditch It?

Christine Clemens

14 years ago

I pretty much have everything figured out for the new kitchen but I am wondering what I should do with the separate refrigerator wall. I need to remove the cabinets in order to recess the refrigerator as much as I can because it sticks out a mile. I am wondering if I should just put the refrigerator cabinet with the wine rack back up and worry about replacing it when I get a new refrigerator. I have to do something to the right of the fridge even if it temporary to get some working space and a space for the microwave. Would the oak look terrible with yellow shaker cabinets for the rest of it? The island is going to be a standalone for now until I have enough money to get the one I want.

The soffits are going to be removed as is the chair rail. The cabinets will be painted the same color as the walls so that probably means the trim will be painted. It may not stay this exact yellow but it will probably be close.

Here is the cabinet:

{{!gwi}}

Here is the basic kitchen plan but disregard the sink next to the fridge:

{{!gwi}}

Here is the existing kitchen:

{{!gwi}}

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Comments (6)

palimpsest
14 years ago
I would get rid of it while you are changing everything else. Over the refrigerator a bad place to store wine anyway:)
Christine Clemens
Original Author
14 years ago
Done. I don't know why I have not been able to let it go. I guess I needed someone to give me permission! Thanks.
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Fori
14 years ago
Is it something you could paint to match later if it stuck out too badly?

I think it looks sort of nice with the door and other oak trim you have around. If it'll be the ONLY oak around, paint it to match, but if you have bits of oak all over, keep it. And if it's only until you get a new fridge, why not keep it and try it out?
Christine Clemens
Original Author
14 years ago
So you don't think it is too hideous, fori? I think that I will be painting all of the trim to match the walls but I am waiting on some help from a designer friend.
karena_2009
14 years ago
I'm with palimpsest on this one. I agree that it's the best place to store wine. It's just up too high to be practical. Do you use it often?

If you do want to have more storage, then I would put a 24 inch depth cabinet over the refrigerator for those seldom used items such as a big salad bowl, Thanksgiving platters, etc. and perhaps add tray dividers or something along those lines on one side of the cabinet.

Just my two cents worth ;-).
Christine Clemens
Original Author
14 years ago
It is kind of hard to reach and we never fill it up. My husband is the only one that drinks wine and when we have friends over it is usually for a beer or some margaritas. I need to rip it out anyway to recess the refrigerator and I probably won't feel that compelled to put it back up.

I am still thinking about using IKEA and in the space next to the refrigerator, I could do a 24" upper microwave cabinet and a 9" cabinet with shelves that some people have used for wine. That would leave the base for some drawers. Alternatively, I was thinking about a microwave drawer but I will have too see where the budget lands.

I probably need a little design help with that space so maybe I need to repost with that question.

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