Modifying cabinet frames

last year

last modified: last year

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.
last year
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
last year
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
last year
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
last year
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
last year
"... 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.