Can you move cabinets

6 years ago

I wanted a full-size fridge and discussed with the contractor installing the over the fridge cabinet and side filler panels In such a way so that they were mine up with the depth of the fridge and not the counter. I know this can be done because I did it before and another house. Contractor seemed reluctant saying it would require some supports. I thought we had agreed, however, that he would do it. Contractor installed cabinets when I wasn’t home And installed them the counter depth. Work has come to a halt due to coronavirus and I am contemplating whether the cabinets can be uninstalled/unscrewed without ruining them so they can be installed to the d that I want.

Featured Answer

mama goose_gw zn6OH

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

Making cabinets and counters deeper is common, especially with kitchens planned on this website. I pulled base cabinets out on each side of my fridge, by adding two horizontal 2x4s (total 3" depth) across the wall studs, to support the back of the counter. The cabinets are screwed to the 2x4s. The same can be done for uppers. Your panel on the left of the fridge (as you face it) would need to be made deeper, too.

If the cabinet over the fridge is the only one you want pulled out, then it seems that it should be easy enough to make 'strips' that would connect to the cabinet and run to the floor, enclosing the sides of the fridge. They would provide support, and the cabinet could still be screwed to the existing upper on each side (black dots). The new strip would fit in front of and up against the existing side panel, just at the edge of the fridge cavity. Do you or your contractor have access to the same paint used on the cabinets?

I don't know if this makes sense, but it does in my head. ;)

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Comments (13)

Valinta
6 years ago
The only issue I can foresee is if you can get anything from the back of that deep cabinet over the refrigerator. I like the idea and I would use that super deep space for large pans, cookie sheets, trays, hiding cookies for myself.
Toni Hamlett
6 years ago
The issue I see is the holes from attaching that cabinet to the cabinets on both sides. You will need to add filler to cover the holes but I suspect this will be minor. Also if he moves it forward, what is going to support the cabinet as it will not touch anything but cabinets? Make sure you ask him how it will be supported. Will he be building out from the wall some support.
Question for you, instead of ordering a standard depth upper cabinet why did you not order one that was deeper or have you considered purchasing the correct size cabinet and replacing the existing one. They do make uppers that are deep just for over the refrigerator area as this is fairly common.
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User
6 years ago
You’ll need more materials. Deep side panels. New fillers. Blocking for the rear. It can happen, but not for many months. Not with everything shut down.
wdccruise
6 years ago
The upper cabinets are currently of two depths: the cabinets over the refrigerator and to the right are one depth, and the cabinets to the left of the refrigerator are another depth. If you extended the cabinets over the refrigerator, the upper cabinets would be of three depths. I'd leave it alone.

-- amateur
mamanlilmace
Original Author
6 years ago
@ mama goose, yes! Your description and drawing are almost exactly what I discussed with the contractor. I just wonder if the cabinets can actually be taken apart where they are screwed into the filler panels without ruining the cabinets?
missenigma
6 years ago
You would get the best result with the purchase of 2 new side panels. If you scab on two extra filler strips to the existing panel(s) you'll have an obvious seam. One potential way around the seam is if your cabinet line offers skins.

Here's my kitchen assembly. The panels are 30" deep. The upper cabinet is 24" deep. It was mounted to a 2x6 blocking assembly to bring it out.

Here's a picture of the blocking looking from underneath . . .

Sizing it for a counterdepth refrigerator would have looked sleek and more integrated. However, the capacity of counterdepths top out at around 21-22 cubic ft. That's simply not enough capacity for me and I have no other place for a 2nd refrigerator.
PRO
HALLETT & Co.
6 years ago
Mama goose is 100% correct, that is how I do it all the time. In your case it should be easy enough to unscrew all the cabinets, add the blocking, and re assemble. You will need new cover panels for the side which could be a long wait right now unless your cabinet vendor happens to have some lying around (they appear to be white so maybe?)
mamanlilmace
Original Author
6 years ago
@Hallett thank you! I hoped they could just be unscrewed and screwed back. I’m going to bring this up to the contractor.
PRO
HALLETT & Co.
6 years ago
Kitchen in my office done with IKEA- in this case I needed more depth because its a standard depth fridge so I built a box out of 2x6's and screwed that to the wall to attach the cabinet to.
Jefferson · More Info
PRO
Design Girl
6 years ago
It will probably be easier and quicker to get a counter depth fridge
mamanlilmace
Original Author
6 years ago
@HALLETT Is the piece that makes the shelf under the microwave from IKEA too? I want to do a similar shelf but I check the IKEA website and can’t find it.
cyc2001
6 years ago
I second Design Girl’s recommendation to get a counter depth fridge. That would be a heck of a lot easier.