Hack cabinet or cut into drywall?

devo · Oct 23rd, 09, 8:53 pm

When I ordered my kitchen, both myself & the IKEAn neglected to add in the width of the cover panels. I am 1/2" short of space. Opinions please! Should I cut into the drywall of the end wall and keep the cabinet intact, or should I hack the cabinet?

I'm thinking the easiest "hack" would be to simply leave off the side that's up against the end wall. Just secure the top & bottom of the cabinet to the wall. It's a tall cabinet that will be used as a coat closet, so I don't need all the peg holes for adjusting shelves.

Because this end wall has a light switch & blinds that would interfere with a door, I'm already using a custom front with a cover panel and a smaller door. So my thinking right now is that I'm already messing with the cabinet, might as well leave the wall intact.

But I'm open to change my mind if someone has a better idea!

Thanks!

Espo · Oct 26th, 09, 9:59 pm

What is at the end of the run where your cover panel needs to go? I.E hallway, opening, etc. Depending on your situation you might be able to just put a piece of drywall at the end of the wall and plaster over it to give you the extra space. This won't work if your wall is perpendicular to your cabinets though. I am actually in the same boat as you with coming up about 1/2" short.

quiltmaster · Oct 26th, 09, 10:17 pm

Hard to say without seeing, but if your cabinet is right against a wall, there should be no need for a cover panel. Cover panels are for to cover the exposed sides of boxes, unless it is a special wrap design element you're going after.

Just leave off that cover panel and return it to the store. Or am I misreading what you are saying.... Congrats on making it far enough to recognize that problem. That's progress,,

Chuck · Oct 26th, 09, 10:35 pm

I'd like to see pictures or plans from both of you before throwing in my 2 cents, but keep one thing in mind - IKEA cabinets are about 1/8" short of their stated width, so if you have enough cabinets in your run, you may actually not have the length you think you do.

And for purposes of this thread, feel free to call me "chucko".

Otherwise, I'm liable to break into song or hockey talk.

Espo · Oct 27th, 09, 10:07 pm

Chucko....well not to hijack the thread but here is my situation. This pic shows my run of cabinets but the corner cabinet is not installed. I've since put the corner cabinet in there and my cabinet run comes right to the end of the wall, maybe 1/4" of the wall is showing. That is without the cover panel on the end of the cabinet which I need because it is Nexus BB to tie into a different run of cabinets. I already extended this wall once right before it was plastered by nailing another 2x4 to it and adding drywall but I think If I just add another piece of drywall to it now and have it plastered over it will give me enough room. Maybe you can think of a different/better solution? I wish i was better at math! haha

devo · Oct 28th, 09, 2:19 am

The cabinets run between a support post of a post-and-beam house and an outside wall, so there's no room to extend the run.

The other end has a 36" over-fridge cabinet. I'd like to keep that as we may buy a 36" wide fridge in the near future.

The space on the left is for the 24" high cabinet. As you can see, there is a light switch & door on that side, so I can either have the pantry door hinges on the right side (don't like that option), or put filler board and a 15" door (my preference right now, unless someone talks me into something else).

Quiltmaster, the cover panel is for the exposed right side of the high cabinet, where there will be a counter.

Thanks everyone!

Espo · Oct 28th, 09, 6:52 pm

Devo...if the cover panel is only going to be seen between the upper and lower cabinets, could you cut a piece to fit there after the countertops and cabinets are all installed? I see no reason for it to run floor to ceiling. In my mind that would look just fine.

devo · Oct 28th, 09, 9:56 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Espo

Devo...if the cover panel is only going to be seen between the upper and lower cabinets, could you cut a piece to fit there after the countertops and cabinets are all installed? I see no reason for it to run floor to ceiling. In my mind that would look just fine.

Unfortunately, the tall cabinet is 24" deep and the upper cabinets are only 12" deep, so the side of the tall cabinet would also be seen in front of the upper cabinets.

devo · Oct 28th, 09, 10:33 pm

Maybe this is a crazy idea...

What if I just used some sort of veneer or laminate straight onto the cabinet carcass? Has anyone done this?

What do all of you think?

Thanks!!

Espo · Oct 29th, 09, 4:27 pm

Ahh good call on the different depths. Another alternative (although not ideal) would be to change to a 12" deep pantry. This would help both the problem with your switches as well as the cover panel issue.