Reusing the existing kitchen cupboards

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

Hi guys,

This is a new thread with old pictures.

Over the weekend we've had a chat to our builder who made us see that actually our cabinets are still in great condition with very solid hand-built carcasses and with some clever reshuffling of the units, a lick of paint and a new worktop, we could achieve a great update that wouldn't cost nearly as much as an entirely new kitchen.

My questions are, have any of you done this before? Any advice? Tips, tricks?

We are still taking out the wall between the breakfast room and the kitchen, keeping the floor and all the appliances. I have now taken off all the colourful tiles (even that makes a big difference!).

I am actually more excited about this project than was about the prospect of getting a new kitchen! :)

If you had any ideas, what colour we could paint the units, or how to reshuffle, we'd love to hear from you.

Thanks!

Veronika

Featured Answer

minnie101

9 years ago

Hi Veronika. If you were to remove the hood I would do something like this by Tom howley kitchens by building out the left wall by the utensil pot. It might open that back space up. On your original plan the fridge freezer appeared to be recessed slightly behind the existing kitchen wall/stairs (?) so would do something like that. I can't see the sink and tap but do change it now if you need to with a new worktop. I would also look at pale clay, pale mushroom shades for the units with a warm white for walls. My kitchen is painted in little Greene intelligent eggshell and I'm really happy with it 3 years on (kitchen is handmade but 25 years old!) and they do quite a few colours similar to what I suggested. I might also change the handles, maybe cup ones on the drawers. I can't see what the appliance is but I'd integrate it. It was only when changing the handles that we realised our dishwasher front was mdf so hopefully your builder could do the same to match it in. Again I'd go very light for the worktop and use wood for your table for warmth. I know you liked a slightly eclectic quirkier style before so would add that personality with the accessories and again would suggest rockett st George! If you're keeping the floor perhaps look to add a rug under the table with some colour.

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Comments (29)

Veronika Lavey
Original Author
9 years ago
Veronika Lavey
Original Author
9 years ago
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Veronika Lavey
Original Author
9 years ago
whizzywig
9 years ago
Hi Veronika, you've got a lot going on in that kitchen - do you have a rough plan of how the space will be once the wall has been taken out?

If your builder is suggesting you re-use the cabinets then I would go for it: it leaves more in the budget for those little things that can make all the difference, e.g. Integrated bins, good lighting, gadget charging widgets, etc.
Veronika Lavey
Original Author
9 years ago
Hi whizzywig, No real plans yet, except that the fridge will move from where it is to under the stairs (as far is as it can.) Plus instead of the peninsula and the round table, we'll have a long table in the breakfast room. I'm also thinking maybe taking out the cupboards and the hood from above the cooker and just have an extractor fan. Maybe.
Carolina
9 years ago
Hi Veronika, look at this thread, they used existing cabinets and had OnePlan (a pro here on Houzz, they do independent designs) design a new layout for them.
https://www.houzz.co.uk/discussions/3923064/kitchen-makeover
Veronika Lavey thanked Carolina
buzzmummy
9 years ago
Hi Veronica, I would also think about using a pro to plan your kitchen, it makes such a difference as they will undoubtedly think of things that you may not! I think your room is lovely, you have character with the ceiling beams, and a good sized space to work with. It sounds like a good idea to re-use your cabinets, you will probably be amazed how different a new colour, worktops, splashback and flooring will make. Plus as you say it's always a good feeling to save money!! :) I would start by making a big list (if you haven't already) of things you definitely want changed, stuff you don't like, things you'd love, etc. (Like moving the fridge freezer..good idea.) To help you visualise what the space could be it would be a good idea to get rid of all clutter and everything off worktops as much as poss. Pinpoint things you like and colours from your ideabooks and definitely get colours tested to see how they work in your room before deciding - you don't want to have to re-do it!!! I would say keep flooring cabinets and worktops light coloured to help the feeling of space. Definitely could go with solid wood flooring or worktops imo, you could make this a lovely country style kitchen.
Veronika Lavey thanked buzzmummy
buzzmummy
9 years ago
Some pics for interest!
The Brighton Kitchen by deVOL · More Info

The Real Shaker Kitchen at Cotes Mill, by deVOL · More Info
buzzmummy
9 years ago

Converted Suffolk Chapel Kitchen · More Info

The Wymeswold Shaker Kitchen by deVOL · More Info
Veronika Lavey
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you for your ideas Buzzmummy! I LOVE deVOL kitchens!! Sooo pretty!

The flooring will have to stay, but it's actually not so bad. Whilst it's dark, it's very very forgiving and with a giant dog, 3 cats and 2 kids, I need all the help in 'it won't show up the dirt' I can get :)

I am just about to draw the plan to scale and will upload it when it's done.

Carolina, thank you for the thread! They really did an amazing job.
buzzmummy
9 years ago
V- Haha yes agree about the floor situation!! As far as I can tell this floor could work with different (lighter) colours - maybe go for a very light grey for cabinets? Or a nice antique white? Can't blame you getting excited, it's the sort of project I would love to get my teeth into!!!
Veronika Lavey
Original Author
9 years ago
Hi minnie101 Thanks so much for your comments! I love the kitchen you pinned and really like the hood idea. The mushroom or pale clay sounds fab as colour choices and I also thought of a rug under the table in the breakfast room to add warmth :)

We reckon our kitchen is 25 years old (ish) too as it must have been put in when they built the extension onto the original 2up-2down. It was well built though as the carcass is super sturdy, with only the doors under the sink needing replacement, as they swell a bit from the water.

I really like your paint choice too.

:)
Jonathan
9 years ago
There is not enough space for the above suggestion of building out of the chimney breast and if you are moving your fridge to the microwave position and getting rid of the peninsula you will have less work surface anyway.
However I think that as long as you are comfortable getting rid of quite a few of your units I think what you are planning will be a big improvement and look better than the over filled space.
Any chance the door to the hall or the second (smaller) kitchen window could be blocked up as both of these options could help you with the plan?
When you change the plan, try to earmark one of the 600 doors to integrate the dishwasher, consider moving the sink closer to the corner and having an under mounted sink with no drainer so that there is more work surface.
Lastly consider removing the chimney breast to create more room, or (if the hall door is blocked up) consider building the alcoves forward so that the run of worktop near the stove is more usable.
Veronika Lavey thanked Jonathan
Veronika Lavey
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank youjonathandb1972 for all the advice, I really appreciate it!

I thought about blocking up the little window too, but I'm worried about blocking out too much of the light. Unfortunately we can't get rid of the door to the hall, or we'd have to walk all the way down to the end of the house to get into the kitchen through the breakfast room, which wouldn't be ideal.

I didn't think about keeping one of the doors to use it as a cover for the dishwasher... thanks for pointing that out!

On the other side of the wall to the cooker is a woodburner, so the chimney is there to stay. :(
PRO
BoArt
9 years ago
Recycling in todays age is a prerogative. Repainting, cutting into pieces, adding new furniture are all good possibilities.
PRO
OnePlan
9 years ago
Thanks for the mention Carolins !
If you click on my pro page there's a few more examples of some of our past projects and a review from another client we recycled a kitchen for !
Kyle Barrett
9 years ago
Nice to see you here again Veronika! They are lovely cupboards. please keep us updated!
Veronika Lavey thanked Kyle Barrett
Lisa D
9 years ago
My kitchen revamp is almost finished, although we didn't move cabinets we changed tiles, handles and had then painted. The original was very similar to yours in style so thought it might help. I agree that I would remove the cooker hood as that looks dated.
Veronika Lavey thanked Lisa D
Veronika Lavey
Original Author
9 years ago
Hi Lisa Dalheimer, gosh, they really were similar in style! :) What a great transformation a lick of paint achieves. It looks fab Lisa! - I'm jealous of the size and symmetricity of your room!!! hahaha
Veronika Lavey
Original Author
9 years ago
It's happening!
Carolina
9 years ago
Have you figured out a new layout yet?
Veronika Lavey
Original Author
9 years ago
Carolina, kind of :) I'll know more once i see the actual space
rav1234
9 years ago
Hi Veronica we are in the middle of our kitchen makeover ...we have painted cupboards and used sticky marmi marble over the surfaces . It's a temporary fix until we begin our extension. I enclose before and after photos .
rav1234
9 years ago
Before and after - used two colours
Veronika Lavey
Original Author
9 years ago
I like both! :) is the darker colour your "after"?
rav1234
9 years ago
Hi ,
We are using both colours ...I prefer dark ,hubby prefers light . But both look good so we are leaving the units as they are .just need to change flooring and we are done . It was worth the effort though at the time I was regretting starting the project but the paint and Handle changes have made such a difference to the room. All for about 100 pounds :-)

It's worth the time and effort and more satisfying because we have done the work ourselves.
Veronika Lavey
Original Author
9 years ago
It looks fab! And I totally agree, putting your own efforts makes the end result more yours :)
msclelluk
9 years ago
I can wholeheartedly recommend OnePlan, I used her for my kitchen refit ... so happy with her service, nothing was too much trouble, she has a great eye & certainly knows her stuff.