Please help with refrigerator wall

16 years ago

So, it's finally coming together, and three of the four walls in the kitchen look as I had imagined they would. And the island is looking great too!

So that leaves me with one unfinished wall, and I don't know what to do.

Can you please help me?

Here are a few pics:

So the trouble spot is the wall with the refrigerator and the microwave. And it makes everything else look unfinished! After all of this work I want it to look all around pretty.

My "master plan" is to build floor-to-ceiling cabinetry at this location that includes a built in fridge, second oven, cabinet for the microwave, and some storage. But all of that will have to wait for a little while.

I need a 1) temporary and 2) inexpensive fix for this area for a couple of years (or until the refrigerator dies).

Right now the microwave is sitting on an old black dresser with a salvaged piece of white Corian on top. It is nice to have those extra drawers. I pulled the dresser forward so that it would align with the front of the refrigerator. But of course, that means there is an empty space behind it, and it looks weird.

Some things I have considered:

- keep the dresser/Corian set up, paint the dresser white, and put curtains on the side(s) to hide the gap at the back (and provide a little hidden storage). Click on the link for the inspiration pic for this...

Then on the wall above that, one of these options...

- dowel plate rack hung on the wall beside the refrigerator (like this one on eBay: http://cgi.ebay.com/2Tier-Crown-molding-Wood-Plate-Rack-ART-shelf-Cabinet-/150455355781?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0amp;hash=item2307d68985 ) that could be relocated elsewhere when it's time to build cabinets.

- a pot rack? But I think they tend to look a little cluttered...

- open shelves? But I don't really need any more...

Another alternative thought was to find a cheap Craigslist armoire for beside the refrigerator, paint it white and put the microwave inside

Thanks so much for your help. And remember: 1) temporary (i.e. purchased items need to have the potential to find a life beyond this location) and 2) inexpensive (so I can save up for the master plan).

Here is a link that might be useful: Second one down, curtains on rings below countertop

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Comments (4)

earthpal
16 years ago
Hmm... what bugs me when I look at this is how your frig area doesn't match your cabinets visually and maybe that is what is bugging you right now. Especially the magnets on the side of your frig and the basket on top just don't match the everything forward contained type of look that I see in the rest of your kitchen.

I like your idea of the cheap armoire assuming you can find one that fits and paint it... ;)

Or what about moving the dresser out and painting it with the skirt idea behind for storage as you mentioned in your op. Then making a magnet board and placing your magnets on that above the dresser. Get a small cabinet from Target that mimics the style of your cabinets to put above the frig to bring that look to that part. You could also try painting a thin line that looks like the black or open space of your cabinet on the wall to bring that look over to this part.

Good Luck!
cpawarrior
16 years ago
Hi lat...I personally do not like the curtain idea. Makes it look too country, or maybe that was just the link you posted. May not be an option, but what is behind wall where fridge is? Any chance you could recess? I think it would look better (or less cluttered) if you could put teh micro someplace else like on teh counter and take the table out. That would leave just fridge. Just some thoughts.

Gorgeous Kitchen btw...love the white farm sink with black C.Tops and wood floors! Really nice.
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kompy
16 years ago
What about putting tall book cases on either side. You could put cookbooks, cannisters, storage containers, linens, colanders, soup tureens...etc. For function and beauty.
If your microwave must stay....then put base and top on one side and bookcase on other maybe? But if there's another place for the MW, the bookcases could look cute. You could reuse them in a bedroom or office once you get the permanent solution.

Ikea has them in a black/brown finish for $130 each.
Approx. dimensions: 19" wide each x 15" deep x 78H
See link below:

Here are some other cute ones that could work:

This bookcase is only $60ea and comes in black
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20116274

Super cheap: Too big though?
http://www.walmart.com/ip/4-Shelf-Bookcase-Black/12456482

http://www.target.com/Madison-Loop-Ladder-Bookshelf-Antique/dp/B0000E60TU/ref=br_1_18?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=1&qid=1277142103&searchView=grid3&sr=1-18&node=3527991&searchRank=pmrank&searchPage=1&rh=&searchSize=30&id=Madison%20Loop%20Ladder%20Bookshelf%20Antique&searchBinNameList=purchasing_channel,finish_types-bin,target_com_primary_color-bin,price,collection_name-bin

http://www.target.com/Delano-Narrow-Bookcase-Antique-Black/dp/B001C1NGOS/ref=br_1_23?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=1&qid=1277142103&searchView=grid3&sr=1-23&node=3527991&searchRank=pmrank&searchPage=1&rh=&searchSize=30&id=Delano%20Narrow%20Bookcase%20Antique%20Black&searchBinNameList=purchasing_channel,finish_types-bin,target_com_primary_color-bin,price,collection_name-bin

Here is a link that might be useful: IKEA's new Hemnes bookcases
fun2cook
16 years ago
I would get a MW work station. I've seen these in catalogue, maybe IKEA has one. They have a butcher block work service with a raise shelf above it for a MV. Below are cabinet doors with selves. Sometimes they even put these things on wheels, but the idea of rolling around a MW doesn't make sense to me. This little workstation would be very handy for you next to the refrig,
I'm giving a link to one example. I just goggled microwave stands, and lots came up. It even has a towel bar.
Another idea would be a pretty bakers rack with selves for the MV and other things,maybe cook books.. Both these ideas would cost little, and provide a quick temporary fix.

Here is a link that might be useful: Microwave station