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DIY Kitchens Storage & Closet

Upper kitchen cabinets

4 years ago

Has anyone turned upper kitchen cabinets into a lower pantry? My idea is to take them off the wall and take the wall down (to make more of an open concept). But I’m stuck on what to do with the cabinets.

Ideally I’d like to have them useable as a pantry. Maybe on wheels beside the counter? I’m not sure what to do... any ideas?

Featured Answer

zmith

4 years ago

This makes no sense at all. It makes perfect sense to those of us with an imagination, GreenDesigns. Sheesh.

More information would be helpful, tho. What length of cabinets are you talking about, Melanie Jean? Do you have a wall where you could stack them them and make a shallow pantry? Or can you line them up in a breakfast nook and make a shallow buffet? Can you use them in your laundry room?

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Comments (9)

User
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
This makes no sense at all. Draw it out. But do not ever remove any walls without a structural engineer’s support.
Melanie Jean thanked User
AJCN
4 years ago
You could hang them in the garage for extra storage. We did this and it was a good way to re-use them. If you end up not re-using them at all you can dontate them to Habitat Re-Store.
Melanie Jean thanked AJCN
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Open shelving are great for photo shoots. They’re a terrible idea in reality. All the storage loss, the continual dust and visual clutter. Add another vote from me for removing the surrounds over the windows. And of course, scrubbing the uppers well before proceeding. You can take a door off and bring it in to be optically scanned for a color match. If you can afford a little work on the uppers, I would try a couple things. Find cabinetmaker who might be able to modify those doors by cutting down the trim around the doors and maybe applying a faux shaker trim to match. Also look into taking out the panels of at least a couple ad adding glass panes. Though I suspect that may start adding up to the same as replacements. No harm in discovery, though. You could keep the two tones, but I think I would paint to match (or even paint both a different color) despite the difference in doors. I would paint all the interiors bright white. If you take any doors off and leave shelves exposed or add glass, a colorful wallpaper or fabric in the backs would be pretty! Be sure to get the maker and style from the previous owner for future reference. A colorful backsplash will draw attention away from mismatched doors. Finally, change hardware for all to add cohesiveness. The knobs on the doors are visually awkward. They should all be pulls (get the same size as are already on the drawers) and they should be repositioned. Wood filler and touch up paint done well should disguise the poorly-placed knobs. Good luck and congrats!
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herbflavor
4 years ago
wall cabinets can get furniture feet added/ gussy up sides and back and put a top and do about anything with them. But you have a project ahead of you. You can donate the wall cabinets, or ,if you want to "mess" with them for a basement/ hallway/garage..... just set them aside for now. Yes: anything can get repurposed. Habitat, etc, is full of pretty good to very good cabinets from kitchens. To save them, they would have to possess a feature that was a value to me.
Melanie Jean thanked herbflavor
Melanie Jean
Original Author
4 years ago
@greendesigns, As a ’pro’ you dont heed need to be rude. I know now I can take the wall down, it’s not a supporting wall. Also, I’m not an idiot.

Also, I will add photos.

Sorry this is is the first question I’ve ever asked here....

thanks for the info from everyone!
jdesign_gw
4 years ago
I have to agree as stated your question doesn't make much sense. Take upper cabinets down and open the wall? Do the base cabinets stay and you create just an opening into the next room. 12" upper cabinets on wheels is not a good idea at all. They dont have finished sides and backs and they will tip right over. What kind of cabinets are they. Are they even worth saving. Without details you won't get an informed answer.
THOR, Son of ODIN
4 years ago
That's what we are doing. A box is a box!

The old cabinets will go into the basement for storage. It is also common to use them for a garage workspace. You might need to repaint them or add a new front frame if you will be reusing them in your new kitchen.

Best wishes with your reno!
User
4 years ago
Post a diagram. Cabinets can be reused, but the whole thing sounds poorly thought out as to the consequences.
aloha2009
4 years ago
Yes we used some uppers for the backside of an island (no pics avaialble as we have moved). Worked great. On one side of the island we had the traditional base cabinets, the other side was the 12" deep upper cabinet with a base we made to create a toe kick and same height as other side.

For a pantry it would work great since things are less likely to get get too far pushed back.

IMO, it doesn't make sense why there is confusion. Good luck!
Melanie Jean thanked aloha2009

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