Alternatively we’d use one cabinet on each end cap. But these are 28” wide vs island 38”. Any ideas on how we would then fill the sides and and fix the height issue?

What do the above pictures have to do with an island?

The bottom cabinets are going to be one side of the Island. We wish for the top cabinets to be the other side. The arrangement you see is changing.

Order base cabinets the same height but different depth with glass doors. Or you can put the 36 wall cabinets on a 4" toe box to have one side raised 4" higher than the other.

Tempered glass for the doors so when they'e kicked and break, glass shards arn't slicing off toes.

A visit to your local cabinetmaker would be a good idea if you would like it to tie together nicely, expecially with end cabinets.

Thanks. We aren’t going to be ordering new cabinet unfortunately. What about raising the non glass side a couple of inches?

What is the height of the upper cabinet without the molding?

Keep in mind these cabinets will need to be raised to allow for the 4" toe kick. Hopefully, your measurements include molding. So, by eliminating the molding and adding the toe kick you will be at a similar height to your base cabinet, even if the toe kick is a little less than the 4" standard.

Personally, I don't see anything good coming out of glass cabinets as a base for an island, whether it is tempered glass or not (and I doubt if the glass in the cabinets now is tempered). I appreciate the desire to repurpose what you have, but I would work with the lowers and have new cabinets made to make up the difference. The glass front cabinets are too tall, too fragile, and I think it would be a nightmare trying to avoid bumping, kicking, and avoiding the glass. Islands are busy places!

The measurement of the cabinet is 36” without that molding.

Also as for solving for glass safety issues (not sure there is one but open to considering the point), I thought maybe it could be replaced with a nice mesh like below.

Another wire mesh example.

Getting new base cabinets made and painted to match may be cheaper than retrofitting your existing upper cabinets to serve as lowers - and would eliminate the issue of having part of the island too high.

I am glad to see people thinking about reuse - I wish more would! - but this is a case where it seems penny wise, pound foolish.

Why do you want to remove that section?

Can you add an island and keep that section?

The reason we want to repurpose is to open up the whole space. Those blue cabinets fit onto this wall. But we have a dinette on the other side and thought it might be best for the bigger cause of opening up the room.

Yes we have of course consulted with an engineer who took a look. Unfortunately we are already down this road and would like to make use of what we have.

When the budget is tight, your creativity goes up ...been there, good times and lots of "out of the box" thinking was done by me too. Good luck!

Lucky998877. Appreciate those words!

Juneknow - whatever pics of the kitchen you’ve seen “installed” is not our house. Our house is an expanded ranch from the 1950’s.

We though this design looked nice. Perhaps we can open up then wall and do something like this. Thoughts anyone?

That is gorgeous! I say go for it! What a fun project. And if doesn't work out-you tried something innovative! Good for you! Enjoy the process....

Please post your measured design for the whole space, so people get an idea of how your island connects to the kitchen.

Add the 4” toe kick and make it a 2 tier island. The cabinet side currently against the wall won’t be painted though.