Moving/Removing/Refacing Cabinets

14 years ago

This all started a year ago when we wanted to buy a new refrigerator to replace our side by side refrig. The newer models are two inches taller than our current model, which left us with the either removing the cabinet above the refrigerator all together or moving it up to allow for the new frig. This led to wanting to refacing all the cabinets for an updated look. Problem is my current cabinets are from a "Big Box Store" type cabinets which they no longer carry and are white. Serveral people have told me they can not be painted. I would like to go with a cream color cabinet with a glaze to soften the look.

My dilemma is should we remove the above cabinet all together or go with moving is up to allow for the new frig. If moving up should we go all the way up or just enough to allow for the new frig? My cabinets are full overlaid, but I'm afraid there might be some palces of the cabinet bases that will show though and if there is is anything that can be done to corrrect that problem.

Any thought or suggestions would be helpful.

Thanks!

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Comments (9)

feeny
14 years ago
Do you have a photo that shows the top of the cabinets up to the ceiling? It will be easier to weigh in with a sense of what is up there. You mention the option of simply "moving up" the cabinet, which seems to imply that there is space between cabinets and ceiling.
lefty47
14 years ago
HI -- The easyist thing to do is just get or have made a cabinet with side gables and with a full depth over cabinet to the height of the other cabinets. Paint the same white or have it done in a wood grain . Then if you go with the wood then repeat the same wood somewhere else in the kitchen to tye it all in . Or you could lift the cabinet up like what you were thinking and then raise all the upper cabinets up, then add an open shelf to fill the void under .
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houzredo
Original Author
14 years ago
Here are more pictures.
thanks
V C
14 years ago
Have you just got the wall tiled recently?...I see some pics with tile...the others without. If you move all the cabinets up...you will have to do something about the tiling...can you get more of these same tiles?...Looking at the photos...it looks like the fridge is already pused back to the wall?...is it?
houzredo
Original Author
14 years ago
@ lefty47 didn't want to raise all upper cabinets because of backsplash we just had installed a couple of years ago. One thing leds to another with remodling, lol. Not sure what you mean by side gables. Was thinking of raising at least half the distance between ceiling, enough to install new frig. and a deeper deepth for more storage.

thanks
V C
14 years ago
ps...a cabinet over the fridge of that height and depth is of little use...it will just become a dumping ground for all sorts as you can never access it easily.With this in mind, why not remove it entirely and put something decorative on a shelf above the fridge that you do not need to access....
houzredo
Original Author
14 years ago
@ oaklands, yes we have just recently added the backsplash, hence not wanting to raise all cabinets. Was thinking of storing cookie sheets, cutting boards, baking pans, etc. I agree a cabinet at that height would not be easy to get to. Hadn't thought of just a open shelf at same height as rest of cabinets, maybe pictures, glassware, might would work. thanks!
lefty47
14 years ago
HI -- oaklands -- I have a cabinet over my fridge and I am only 5 ft. 1in. and I have a step ladder . I have things in there that are not used as often and that kind of cabinet can always have a pullout style door . It's never been a problem for me or any of my former clients.I would think an open shelf would be a bigger problem -- sticky dust collector houzredo - a gable is the side panel of any cabinet.So what I was saying for the fridge cabinet is like a big box encasing the fridge with the storage cabinet on top for a finished look. I understand not wanting to lift the cabinets up now that the backsplash has been done . So I think the fridge cabinet is all you can do.
houzredo
Original Author
14 years ago
last modified: 14 years ago
Thank you everyone for your thoughts and suggestions. Lefty, encasing the fridge might be a tight squeeze but I do like the idea of a finished look/feel. I'll have to double check the measurements of fridge. Can always use more storage..... I have to use a step ladder now so that wouldn't be problem.
Should we go all the way up to the ceiling or raise it enough for the fridge to fit? Also changing the doors..... want to go with an update door style and painted white/cream with a glaze. My cabinet insides would stay the same.... how would that look?