How can I maximize usable storage in builder-grade cabinets?

7 years ago

I have a 10'x10' kitchen area in a big, beautiful great room. (Sorry that the photo isn't more useful, but it's what I have available.)

Unfortunately, the kitchen was put together with the cheapest cabinets available at the local big box store, and in possibly the stupidest layout ever conceived. I don't want to have replace the whole thing, so I'm trying to figure out the best way to make use of the limited space I have, which is mostly in 30" base cabinets with that center stile and a fixed, half-depth shelf. Here are my questions: (1) is there a way to remove the shelf without destroying the cabinet? and (2) can the center stile be removed without destroying the cabinets?

Featured Answer

cpartist

7 years ago

Um is your DW next to your stove but your sink is on the island? It will cost you more in time and money to try and retrofit than it will be to go get a functioning kitchen from something like IKEA. Putting lipstick on a pig, doesn't make it a lady.

Comments (16)

practigal
7 years ago
If you removed the half depth shelf are you going to replace it with something? I have seen people cut the stile it may well weaken the support for the counter and it has to get attached to one door or the other which is inconvenient....
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Anglophilia
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Maybe yes, maybe no. If your countertop is not too heavy and if the stile is not supporting a shelf, it can be removed. My cabinetmaker told me this when I was going to have some drawers made instead of bottom cabinets. Unfortunately, one stile was supporting a shelf in a blind corner cabinet. You really need a good cabinetmaker.
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richmondkat
Original Author
7 years ago
(Sigh.) I am afraid you are right, ladies and gents, but we live in hope... I will look into what a carpenter has to say, Suzanne. I am afraid that we won't be able to do much, but I won't give up without trying.

cpartist, the sink is next to the fridge, which isn't nearly as stupid as having the dishwasher in that corner. But moving appliances will result in having to replace the countertop. At that point, I'll just pull everything out and do it right.
richmondkat
Original Author
7 years ago
Practical, if I remove the shelf, I would replace it with double sliding trays/drawers. If I can remove the stile, the trays or drawers will be larger. I think I need to follow Suzanne's advice and talk to a decent carpenter. If one can be found.
practigal
7 years ago
I am presuming the half shelf is at the back in which case you could just attach the sliders for the drawer to it. If your cabinets weren't site built perhaps there us a 24" cabinet next to the sink where you could move the DW? Definitely have a carpenter look at them.
javiwa
7 years ago
richmondkat -- This 2014 thread may help re: removing stiles. Good luck!
cpartist
7 years ago
Honestly, by the time you remove the stiles, pay for whatever is needed to have make it so the doors actually close, plus add the cabinet hardware etc to have the rolling shelves, might you be better off just saving your money for a year, planning your redo and then doing it right?

Seems a bit like putting the proverbial lipstick on the pig.
silken1
7 years ago
I agree to wait and save money to replace the cabinets and layout in a year or whenever you can afford it. Buying drawers and hardware is fairly expensive. And hiring a carpenter won't come cheap. Maybe guesstimate what all that would cost and throw it into a fund to give you a kick start on saving for new cabinets.
richmondkat
Original Author
7 years ago
Well, after a lot of back-and-forth with my DH about what a couple of 70 year old can and can't do themselves, we are going to try this approach: (a) extend the 1/2 self to a full shelf with side cleats, (b) install inserts on the bottom and on the shelf to make the spaces more user-friendly, (c) hire a professional painter to paint the cabinets creamy white, and (d) install door/drawer hardware and a backsplash.

Unfortunately, this probably won't get started until mid-summer, as we are currently trying to get the other house ready to go on the market. I will take better photos as we go along.

Having already torn out and renovated 3 kitchens, we are done with that part. We are much more into the "make it pretty and make it work" style right now.
cpartist
7 years ago
Ok now that I know your ages, I'd vote even more for replacing the cabinets. At least the lowers with all drawers. As we age, it will get harder and harder to have to bend down to open the door, then reach in to pull out the shelves. Especially the lower shelf. And think if you become disabled how difficult it will be to try and get into those cabinets.

I realize you don't want to renovate another kitchen, but if it will help you to stay in your new home longer, isn't that a good thing?
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Anglophilia
7 years ago
I'm 72 and decided to treat myself to a new kitchen! I really want big drawers on the bottom - tired of crawling into the cabinet to find a cake pan (yes, I still bake!). I can't wait for those drawers!
lazy_gardens
7 years ago
Usually those shelves can't be removed without ripping the sides of the cabinet apart.

Just install the upper drawer right above the half-shelf.

Stiles - are often holding up the countertops.
GreenDesigns
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Paying money to alter old cabinets that are difficult to alter is throwing good money after bad. Labor from a cabinet maker is expensive.

You get a much better result by increasing your budget by 25-30% and just getting new cabinets. Put the old ones on Craigslist and you can even have some more funds to put toward something that doesn't have the limitations that you are trying to correct.
msmeow
7 years ago
My DH removed several of the half shelves to make room for inserts. He used a jigsaw to make a cut in the center of the shelf. It then had enough play to pull it out of the slots in the side of the cabinets.

He put Rev-A-Shelf inserts in three of them - one is a two-tier basket, one is a two-tier caddy for pots and lids, and the third is a caddy for pans. A fourth one has a two-tier pullout shelf from Ornamental Mouldings.

Donna
mama goose_gw zn6OH
7 years ago
I have a question, which might also help richmondcat: How are cabinets with >36" drawers beefed up so that no center stile is necessary? I know most would have a face frame added, but if richmondcat's cabinets are partial overlay, which they appear to be, the face frame would already exist. I assume cross bars would need to be added between drawers. If the style would work with the rest of the kitchen, would legs under the corners of the toekicks provide enough extra support?

richmondcat, I've re-worked several old cabinets, and added a trash pull-out to one. (No removing stiles for wide drawers, though.) It worked because I was doing the hacking myself, and had plenty of time to invest. Unless your current cabinets are extremely well made I'd tend to agree that the investment in time and money wouldn't be worth it.

How can I maximize usable storage in builder-grade cabinets?

cpartist

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practigal

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