DIY Changing kitchen cabinets

[sam_gordon]

Debating changing the cabinet layout in our kitchen. Our fridge is up against a wall on the left hand side (see pic). This has been an issue for the 20+ years we've been in the house, because you can't fully open the door. Why it didn't dawn on me before now I'll never know, but swapping the fridge location with the pantry should fix things.

And it SHOULD be something I can DIY. However, here's my main concern... both sides of the pantry are "finished" as is the right side of Cabinet B. Cabinet A is deeper than Cabinet B. So, if we do move things, part of the right side of Cabinet A will be exposed.

What are the thoughts on whether Cabinet A's sides are "finished"? I'd hate to take all of this apart and then find out the side is unfinished. Or, could I take the finished side off of the pantry and put on Cabinet A?

I would cut holes in the back and side of the pantry to run electric and water to the fridge.

Thoughts?

 

[NYCgrrl]

Our fridge is up against a wall on the left hand side (see pic).

Is the pic missing or do you mean the drawn layout?

 

[sam_gordon]

Is the pic missing or do you mean the drawn layout?

Drawn layout

 

[soccerdad72]

I wonder if it would make sense to try to buy a new Cabinet A to match the depth of Cabinet B? I might think it would look odd having two different depth cabinets next to each other.

 

[firefly_ris]

Are the cabinets wood or white or a color?

 

[sam_gordon]

I wonder if it would make sense to try to buy a new Cabinet A to match the depth of Cabinet B? I might think it would look odd having two different depth cabinets next to each other.

I think trying to match the color would be extremely hard. Keep in mind Cabinet B & Pantry are two different depth. (Pantry Depth matches Cabinet A).

Are the cabinets wood or white or a color?

Wood, sort of "caramel" colored.

 

[dizneegirl]

You can buy thin wood veneer sheets/rolls at home improvement stores... you could use that to finish anything that isn't, and then get a stain to match, or at least get close to, the existing cabinetry.

 

[clh2]

We recently remodeled our kitchen down to the studs, and old cabinets are now in the garage. In our case, only the exposed sides of the cabinets were stained.

If the fridge space gets framed out, it will help to make the difference in the depth of the cabinets look better.

If I have a chance tonight, I will try to find pictures of how our kitchen looks with different cabinet depths next to each other.

Just adding 1 phot that shows several different cabinet depths, and the framed space for the fridge, this one was just after the cabinets were installed, but it more clearly shows the difference in cabinet depths from the over fridge cabinet to what is next to it.

 

[_19disnA]

I would suspect that only the exposed surfaces are painted/stained. Usually they assemble it all in your kitchen and then paint/stain them. Hidden surfaces are probably not painted/stained. Wood stain comes in many colors, so you could try to lightly sand the exposed surfaces and then stain all of the cabinets in a color you like to match the rest of the kitchen as close as possible.

Buying a new cabinet would also likely cause issues in getting an exact match to the door style especially since they are over 20 yrs ago.

 

[NYCgrrl]

I don’t know the age of your kitchen which would make the original method of construction easier to gauge.
I’m used to pre-war (WW 2) construction so that’s how I’ll answer. Matching the original color/stain of the other cabinets can be difficult due to different sun exposure and usage. I was an avid DIYer in my time but would not attempt this project unless I felt confident in my ability to match colors accurately. You could get some help from out of print books, by “The Furniture Guys” (sorry don’t recall the book title or their names beside the fact that one was called “Ed”) and another called “Paint Magic” by Jocasta Innes.

I like the idea of veneering the cabinet or also a more modern take of painting or color veneering the cabinet side which is a several years old Euro design that is now showing up in the states.

Have fun.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I don't think this is a DIY especially as you've said you've been in the house more than 20 years. I would at the very least check to see if you need permits to relocate lines there and just cutting holes wouldn't make me feel comfortable. You're compromising the integrity of any firewall protection, duct work or electrical work, insulation and more. Plus there's a good chance your home is out of date code-wise.

Things like clearances for air flow of a fridge and room for the water lines to run in the space carved out for the fridge are important.

Our house, built in 2014, was designed I'd say more differently than others in so much that the duct work as much as possible is built within the walls. Our pantry for example has the main air return duct work for the main level of the house built within the framing and supports of the pantry itself Drilling into the wall blind you're going to puncture that. We took a bunch of photos as our house was built and have gone back to it as needed to see if something we want to do (mainly drilling in the wall) would impact something.

 

[sam_gordon]

I don’t know the age of your kitchen which would make the original method of construction easier to gauge

We moved in in 2003, and the house was new.

 

[NYCgrrl]

What are the thoughts on whether Cabinet A's sides are "finished"? I'd hate to take all of this apart and then find out the side is unfinished. Or, could I take the finished side off of the pantry and put on Cabinet A?

We moved in in 2003, and the house was new.

Okay, so given the above info, my guess is that the sides of the cabinet are NOT finished. By the “aughts”, the home construction industry was already using cost cutting innovations that were great in the short term (buying the house) but less useful for future renovations such as those you are envisioning.

You need to check if the sides of the cabinets are MDF (possibility) or plank wood. I never mess with MDF; too risky for my limited knowledge.

I hope I’m wrong. Nothing like the joy of pulling out the tools .

 

[Southernmiss]

Bought our home new also in 2003 and our refrigerator has the same problem. It bumps into a wall.

We are getting estimates to remodel and update and reconfigure the kitchen to accommodate the refrigerator.

 

[NotUrsula]

I take it you've tried reversing the swing of the fridge door? That would certainly be your easiest fix if it worked.

 

[sam_gordon]

I take it you've tried reversing the swing of the fridge door? That would certainly be your easiest fix if it worked.

Side by side. Doors go both ways. Hoping to replace in a year or so, I like the dual doors, but its definitely a downside.

 

[barkley]

We recently remodeled our kitchen down to the studs, and old cabinets are now in the garage. In our case, only the exposed sides of the cabinets were stained.

If the fridge space gets framed out, it will help to make the difference in the depth of the cabinets look better.

If I have a chance tonight, I will try to find pictures of how our kitchen looks with different cabinet depths next to each other.

Just adding 1 phot that shows several different cabinet depths, and the framed space for the fridge, this one was just after the cabinets were installed, but it more clearly shows the difference in cabinet depths from the over fridge cabinet to what is next to it.View attachment 917935View attachment 917936

I think you have the identical floor tile someone will discover under the lvp we installed a couple of years ago in our kitchen if they ever decide to replace it! it looks identical.

 

[neverlandsky]

Fridge sounds like it might be too big for the current space. For fridge longevity along with opening and closing you want to aim for at least 2 inches of free space from each side, depth, and top. I would look for a smaller fridge. It’s the easiest diy solution.

 

[sam_gordon]

Fridge sounds like it might be too big for the current space. For fridge longevity along with opening and closing you want to aim for at least 2 inches of free space from each side, depth, and top. I would look for a smaller fridge. It’s the easiest diy solution.

But a smaller fridge has less space for food storage. We already have a 2nd fridge in our garage that we keep drinks and frozen dinners in.

The easiest solution is to get a fridge with a single door that hinges on the right.

 

[ronandannette]

You can buy thin wood veneer sheets/rolls at home improvement stores... you could use that to finish anything that isn't, and then get a stain to match, or at least get close to, the existing cabinetry.

This. All modern cabinet boxes are made unfinished and the visible ends are “skinned”. Even a less-than-100% perfect match will look better than exposed MDF.