Upper cabinet door swing direction

8 years ago

To the left and right of my sink, I’ll have 12” deep, 24” wide upper cabinets, each next to a 15” deep cabinet. The one on the left I want hinged right so it opens to the counter side and isn’t restricted to a 90 degree swing by hitting the deeper cabinet to it’s left. Likewise, the one to the right I will have hinged left so it opens to the adjacent work counter to it’s right, and to not hit the deeper cabinet, and for symmetry with the one on the other side of the sink. So they will both open with their backs to the sink. I’m wondering if the one to the right will be in the way and a nuisance to have the opening like this? The sink is against a wall with no cabinets over it, but will have a mirror there like a window.

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Debbi Washburn

8 years ago

Depending on the brand of hinge , you can get hinge restrictors so the doors will only open slightly less than 90 degrees. The ones we use are for Blum hinges

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Comments (10)

Janet
Original Author
8 years ago
Not that it matters for this question, bit that was the wrong picture.
User
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
The doors are too big, and hinged exactly opposite of what they should be hinged. Give more breathing room around the sink, and get rid of the valance. Hinge both doors to open away from the person st the sink.

Where’s the cooktop? Not between the two doors I hope? That would be horribly unsafe.
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damiarain
8 years ago
I assume they’re 12” deep to provide some space around the sink? I would probably go with 21” wide and make them 15” deep like the rest. For the hinge... I can understand the argument for the direction you’re proposing - I would really sit down and plan what I’m going to put in them (dishes-access to DW?) and decide based on that and maybe worry less about symmetry - esp the cab to the right of the sink, it really doesn’t make sense to hinge it on the left.

Looks like you’ve decided to go with a pass through window vs doorway - hope you’ll keep us posted :)
Janet
Original Author
8 years ago
The cooktop is safely on the other end of the long open counter, and there is no valance over the sink, just crown molding on the wall. The cabinet doors are 24” and 12” deep, i had them 15” deep, but there will be a mirror over the sink, and I had to open that area up more to be able to see the window in the mirror. Having 12” double doors looked too busy. But I could reduce it to 21” and increase the one next to it by 3”. The one to the left will have breakfast foods and coffee suplies, etc., It seems like it would be terribly in the way to have it opening in the middle of that 5’ stretch of counter space, back to back with the dish cupboard door. The one to the right will have food prep and storage items that I will be using on the long open counter to it’s right. That one I could hinge right, but it would only be able to open 90 degrees. I would have to make that one 21” as well, which seems small. Hmmm.
comelyhomely
8 years ago
I believe the suggestion is to change them to 21" while leaving the adjoining cabinets their current widths. This will give you a few more inches around the sink so whoever's standing at it is not so "boxed in". Would also allow for a bigger mirror, bouncing around more light.
Janet
Original Author
8 years ago
Currently it is a 36” sink base with 40 1/2 inches between uppers. So that would give 46 1/2 open over 36” sink base. So then it’s a matter of what will make the most important difference. More open
Space or more cabinet space?
Janet
Original Author
8 years ago
We decided to keep them at 12” deep, reduce them to 21” wide, and increase the glass cabinet to 36” to match the lower drawers, and the open cabinet to 19 1/2”. Open wall over sink remains at 40 1/2”. We are foregoing normal symmetry by having both doors hinged right. I couldn’t have the left hand one opening in my face and having to walk around it to reach the coffee or oatmeal that will be used to it’s left. So, done! I’ve been working on this since March, signed off today. Moving on to next decision! Thanks!
cpartist
8 years ago
Glad you reduced them to 21" wide. 24" was too wide.

Question. Do you have an island in the space. If not, when you take food out of the oven where will you place the hot food?
Janet
Original Author
8 years ago
I have a kitchen cart just opposite the oven, by the window, that I will roll over when needed. I can then roll it to the other end of the kitchen if heavy. I have a peninsula on the opposite side about mid room, but that won’t be as convenient.