Modifying cabinet frames

9 months ago

last modified: 9 months ago

We recently built a home and unfortunately did not consider the range when deciding which way the door on our lower corner cabinet (located next to the range) should swing. The cabinets are framed cabinets with soft close hinges and there are indents/cut outs in the frame for the hinges so we can't flip the door without modifying the frame. We'd like to avoid having to replace the entire cabinet, is there a way to carve the indents for the hinges into the other side of the frame or completely remove and rotate the frame itself?
Cabinets are maple with a praline finish and we did receive a touch up kit that we could hopefully use to refinish the carved area. Once rotated, the door should completely cover the original indents when closed so we're not concerned about those still being there.

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Comments (5)

PRO
HALLETT & Co.
9 months ago
Photos would help us help you. The short answer is yes you can do what you are asking but there is a longer answer...
dan1888
9 months ago
What can you lose? Try it and see. So far the alternative is to replace the cabinet frame and door at least. If you want more, post closeup pics of the door front and back, tha frame location of the hinges and the new location. See if you can use lighting to show how the frame is attached to the box sides.
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Original Author
9 months ago
These are older photos (counter tops have since been installed), but shows what we'd be looking to carve into the other side of the frame. This cabinet is directly next to the range, I don't have current photos handy of the door opening being restricted by the range handles.
dan1888
9 months ago
It's a double door you have to reconfigure. Start by checking dimensions of the doors and the bottom rail from the face frame to the 90-degree middle. You'll have to take hinges off the doors and frame and see how they can be put back together to open the opposite way.
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
9 months ago
"... is there a way to carve the indents for the hinges into the other side of the frame..."

Yes. Make and clamp a jig to the style, then using a laminate trimmer style router with a collar that follows the jig, route the indentation. Use a 1/4" bit and make (3) 1/4" passes, increasing the depth as you go.