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Home Repair Design Dilemma Bathrooms

Temporary Center Stile Removal

3 years ago

We just moved into a new, much smaller rental town house. My issue right now is that the only good place to put our cat's litter box is under the bathroom sink. Problem is, there's a center stile that's in the way, and the box can't fit. Looking at litter alternatives, it looks like it'll be too small for any other pellet-litter box.

Is there a way of removing the stile that will allow me to put it back in before we move? There were 4 screws, which I removed, and it's glued in. I know I can just saw the top and bottom off with a coping saw, but I'm worried it will shorten the stile and make it not fit when it's time to move out

. Thank you!

Featured Answer

Design Girl

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

If I were a landlord, and someone removed the center stile to my vanity, they'd loose the deposit and be charged for a totally new vanity. That stile is there for support. You need to find another place for the litter box. What about a closet?

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Comments (17)

Brown Dog
3 years ago
Looks like the centre piece of wood is for structural support. Leave it where it is. Find a plan B.
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pricklypearcactus
3 years ago
That center stile is part of the cabinet structure and was built as part of the cabinet construction. As a landlord I'd be furious if a renter removed or especially cut out part of the cabinetry, and I would definitely be keeping the security deposit. Have you considered finding a narrow cat litter box that could fit into the cabinet?
BlueberryBundtcake - 6a/5b MA
3 years ago
It'd probably be a pain, but can you get the litter box in sideways and then set it up in the cabinet and clean it in place?
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Place masking tape over the right side of the bottom rail (if you're right handed). Place a Japanese pull saw on the tape and sever the bottom stile joint. After it's cut wriggle the top joint free. Throw it into the back of the cabinet for safekeeping. Hot melt glue it back in place when you're ready. The severed joint is not at eye level and will go back together inconspicuously.
thisisnotadrill
3 years ago
Does the cat really go into a box inside a vanity cabinet? I feel like the cat deserves a bit better than that.
krystalmoon2009
3 years ago
are you going to remove a door or keep one open for cat to get in and out?
apple_pie_order
3 years ago
You can ask your landlord to make the change for you. Pay them for a handyman to make the change and a deposit for putting it back together. You may have to replace the vanity and pay for installation as well if the top sags during your time there. If the bottom of the vanity is soiled by cat urine, you may end up paying for a new vanity and installation anyway. The upshot is that it would be better to find another place for the litter box.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
3 years ago
IMO that stile is part of the cabinet strength so no . BTW cutting it out will not be the answer since when you add it back it will require filling and refinishing to make it look right again IMO a main bathroom is the worst place for litter box I like the laundry room best since I don’t have to sit and smell cat pee which BTW is awful if you are not a cat lover.
cat_ky
3 years ago
I suspect that stile is also support for the top, and removing it, the entire thing could cave in.
acm
3 years ago
end table/night stand!

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Anna (6B/7A in MD)
3 years ago
Ikea lack table used to disguise litter box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEB6nFDA4sk
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Joseph Corlett, LLC
3 years ago
It's a cabinet, not a 17-story building. They stile is a door divider, nothing more.
Snaggy
3 years ago
get a smaller litter box
Cherie
3 years ago
I have a frameless cabinet pantry with the center stile screwed to one of the doors. It's annoying because you need to close that door first but it will cover the gap.
decoenthusiaste
3 years ago
Start lining your litter box with Johnny Cats or other litter liner. Then you won't have to pull the box out every time, just the liner and then put another in. It will be a bit of a PITA, but you love your kitty, right?
PRN
3 years ago
Respectfully disagree with the suggestion that you can remove it and glue it back in place when you move out. It would be ok to do this in a house you own, but not a house someone else owns. Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.

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