Thursday, July 25, 2013

How to Plan to Build a Cabinet-free Kitchen

A kitchen that has no built-in cabinets has the advantage of appearing larger and more open that a kitchen with multiple cabinets.
Planning a cabinet-free kitchen takes some time and careful planning. You will need to consider storage space for what would usually go into cabinets and what to put in the place of where the cabinets once were.
Many cabinet-free kitchens lack upper cabinets attached to the walls, while they may still have "storage cabinets" under the counters.
Planning is important and needs to be done properly. There are a few things to consider before going cabinet free.

Instructions

    1

    Look around the kitchen. If there are cabinets that you need to remove, you will need to plan the removal steps. Removal includes emptying the cabinets and unscrewing and pulling out any nails and screws holding the cabinets to the wall. You will also need to plan for prying off cabinet pieces and repairing any damage done to the wall after removal.

    2

    Decide how you will store the things that are currently in your cabinets--for example, open shelving, baskets, etc. If the kitchen will retain lower cabinets, plan out storage spacing to make sure there is enough room for all the items.

    3

    A china cabinet, either in the kitchen or a nearby room, can store plates, silverware and other kitchen supplies.
    If you have a pantry, see if you can rearrange that space to store more items.

    4

    Measure the entire kitchen.
    Record dimensions and measurements of spaces where shelves or storage furniture will be placed, and measure any pieces of furniture you will be using, such as a china cabinet.

    5

    Draw a layout of the kitchen and write the measurement of each wall on the layout. Write additional measurements for shelving within the drawing. Draw items that will remain in the kitchen such as refrigerator, table, and stove.
    The drawing does not have to be highly detailed, but it should be accurate in terms of the measurements.

    6

    Estimate the cost of the cabinet-free kitchen remodeling. If there are no existing cabinets to remove, the cost may be lower. You will need to consider the costs of any tools you need to rent or purchase as well as building supplies such as strong shelving and any new furniture.
    Also added in the cost will be any labor you hire to do the project if you do not do it yourself. Paint and decor accents on newly bare walls should be considered in the pricing as well.

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