Destroy cabinets and install open shelving?
Please encourage or prevent me from tearing apart my kitchen. I'm thinking about removing the 2 left sided upper cabinets (including the upper moulding part) and install open shelving in their place. In doing so, I would switch the 3rd cabinet to the left to open the other way, if that makes sense.
Also would like advice on a new color scheme for cabinets and walls.
Thank you!
Comments (26)
The Vintage Bean
7 years agolast modified: 7 years ago
Jennifer Havin
7 years agowhat will you put on the ends of the cabinets and moulding you remove? I love the open shelf look, but I feel like it will look like an after thought on this kitchen, not part of the original deisgn, kwim? Do the cabinets need painting or you are tired of the white? Edgecomb gray could be pretty, and paint your island a color
Radiant Home in Oakville (1443) · More InfoThe Vintage Bean thanked Jennifer Havin
jhmarie
7 years agoJust FYI - cabinets can be removed without being destroyed. Just unscrew them usually. The wall behind will probably not be finished - so you would need to finish it in some way - ideally by going up with the tile - but not possible unless you have leftover tile and the top row of tile did not need to be cut. If you change your mind and put the cabinets back, you will have to touch up the caulk and possible the paint.
I agree that removing the cabinets you are considering would look off balanced. It is possible that the wall by the fridge has room for something like this, only smaller:
Or this with the help of a carpenter:
I have never been able to figure out if the lack of symmetry in the pic above bothers me or not - your cabinets would produce the same.
I have to agree with the others that your kitchen is really pretty as is:)
The Vintage Bean thanked jhmarie
Emily Jowers
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoIf you're just feeling bored, you could paint the lowers or island a bright teal. Nothing too dark since you have dark counters, something bright and exciting.
Modern Federation · More InfoJust curious, what do you not like about your kitchen. It's lovely and seems very functional as it is.
The Vintage Bean thanked Emily Jowers
acm
7 years agoHow about taking off that giant molding and replacing it with another row of cabinets, all with glass fronts? A fresh look, can show off some dishware, but not wrecking what you have that works.
Filmore St. Covington, LA · More Info
Transitional Kitchen · More InfoA couple of nice pendants might give you and updated feel too...
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PROLynsey Jane Designs
7 years agoI would suggest you keep your kitchen as it is. By taking out cabinets you will then be left with the moulding above. This would then have to be removed and reformed to finish on the third cabinet.
I love open shelving and have used it in lots of kitchen designs as you can see in one of my latest projects but feel it's something that should be on it's own on a clear wall.
You could replace the eye level cabinet doors with glass doors. This would deal with the cleaning issue and will open up the design more. Creating a feel of space.
Maybe paint the inside of the cabinets a different colour to the outside of the kitchen. Add lights in each cabinet and replace shelves with glass shelves to display your favourite pieces.
As for the colours see pictures attached. I love charcoal and cream at the moment and can give a really dramatic look.
Maybe replace you bar stools with something more substantial and comfortable.
Good luck with your project. Your kitchen is already lovely.
The Vintage Bean thanked Lynsey Jane DesignsThe Vintage Bean
7 years agolast modified: 7 years ago
sunnydrew
7 years agoI think your kitchen looks nice as it is too. Putting glass in the fronts of some the doors would be easy as they are not arched. We did that a few years ago, as we could not replace or repaint the cabinets and they were that old builders' oak. It was a relief to break up all that "color".
Just think about symmetry and what it would look,like from across the room and what would be showing if glass is not frosted. I am attaching an after photo of our old kitchen. We have since moved.
The Vintage Bean thanked sunnydrew
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