Thank you for your input. How easy do you think it will be to refigure them? I'm thinking of having cabinets on one wall only. The wall with the sink.

I think you will not have anyway near enough storage if this has to stay in this foot print is there a wall that could be opened behind the fridge wall a look at the actual floor plan to see if there is a better solution.

I can't change size of the kitchen. Luckily I embrace eco-friendly simple living so am willing to give up the bells and whistles. I love the design below but want to reuse the old kitchen cabinets if at all possible. Good for the planet - good for the budget.

THANKS! Looks like that just may work. I will ask the person helping me, who I have yet to hire, if it would be do-able. I have reached out to www.RebuildingExchange.org to see if they would help. You aren't in the Oak Park area by any chance are you? I would happily hire you!

I will definitely share pics upon completion! So hoping my save-the-cabinets idea works otherwise I, too, will be donating them.

I am in the same boat as you are. Would love to know how you solved your save-the-cabinets idea.

Condo deal fell through as building has serious financial problems and I didn't want to take the risk. I learned a tremendous amount though and it's as a few other mentioned earlier on...

You may think new cabinets are expensive, but most DIYers know cabinets are one of the easiest, most cost-effective ways to revamp a kitchen.

One simple trick: Add or replace the hardware on existing cabinets.

Hardware is like jewelry for your cabinets. You'll be surprised at how different your cabinetry looks with updated hardware.

Changing hardware can be easy and affordable; it's possible to choose from several styles for just a few dollars per piece.

Another, more involved, option is to paint the cabinets, which will make them look new without replacing them.

"All cabinets, even laminate ones, can be painted if you use a strong primer," says Jay Hart, CEO of Sold with Style, a New York home design firm.

Supplies should run less than $100. But before you paint, it's important to prep. Remove the doors from the cabinets, cover the hardware or remove it, and be sure to sand away old paint.

Good luck!