askjake

Changing a cabinet door angle

Just finished a kitchen remodel, only to find the kitchen designer designed us a flaw. Our top cabinet next to the stove will open to a 90 degree angle but in doing so hits the corner of the stove fan cover. In time I can see the cabinet door ending up with a nice gouge right in the middle of the door. Is there something we can use to to adjust the door from opening to a full 90 degree angle.

-Deborah

Deborah,

I have seen this problem before.  It’s one of those design details that gets forgotten but can be a real nuisance when you are using your new kitchen.  It really hurts when the new cabinets get a scratch or gouge. 

The best remedy I have seen is to attach a piece of small chain on the inside of the cabinet face frame to the inside of the door.  Set the chain length so when the door is opened it is at least 1” short of allowing the door to hit the range hood.  After a while, you will get used to opening the door without yanking the chain. 

Other than for this problem, I hope you are enjoying your new kitchen.

Jake

Worms

Brenda's question:

Jake....I have a problem. 

I have a peninsula in my kitchen with a corner cabinet and 2 sets of double cabinets.I want to remove all 3 of these and put up pendulum lights. Do I have to remove the soffet? Will it look silly if I leave it. Removing it will open a whole can of worms! What is your opinion?

Brenda,

Opening a whole can of worms is not such a bad idea if you’re planning on going fishing.  In remodeling, it’s a whole different story.  If you leave the soffit, just about everyone will most likely know that you removed cabinets and didn’t want to mess with the soffit.  To come up with a nice finished end product, I would remove the soffit, deal with worms and enjoy the newly remodeled area with a full height ceiling.   That’s my opinion.  

Outdated cabinets?

Question from Georgeann: 

I want to remodel the kitchen but keep and reface my XLNT condition wood cabinets and remove the 70's soffits. A kitchen designer told me it's a waste of money if, regardless of what changes or upgrades you make, if cabinets are not changed from 30" to 42", the kitchen will still look dated. This is disheartening - is this true? Thanks - Georgeann

Jake's Answer: 

Georgeann,

It’s hard to say what is true and not true about a design issue such as this.  There are very few soffits used in kitchens these days and most wall cabinets are 42” tall.  I feel that with a well designed make over you can keep the existing cabinets and keep them out of the landfill.  Put a nice finish (paint or glaze) on them, add some crown molding at the top, new tops and tile backsplash.  You should be able to enjoy your new look for years to come.

Under-cabinet lighting and staining

Question from Betty: I have kitchen cabinets stained cherrywood. I want to have under cabinet lighting, but the underside of the cabinets are not stained. I believe that they must be stained before I have lights installed - it does drive me nuts that the developer did not have them stained. Question - how can I figure out what color stain would be best? I was almost thinking something lighter than the cherry wood stain because then the lights under the cabinet would reflect off the lighter stain. HELP ... I don't have a clue what to do and yes when sitting in my living or at the table you can see the unfinished underside of the cabinets. Small galley condo kitchen. Black granite countertops with black appliances - walls slate green, I do love the color scheme - not so much all the black. Thank you.

Jake's Answer: Stain the bottom side of the cabinets the same color as the cabinet doors.  I would not introduce another color scheme.  The mounted lights will shine down so you won’t experience any light reflection. 

Cabinets or tile first?

Question from Shannon: 

I am rebuilding my kitchen and putting new cabinets and floor tile in. The question I have is, should I put tile down on the floor under my cabinets before I install new counters or install the cabinets then put down on the floor up to the cabinets? 

Jake's answer: 

Shannon, 

When installing tile in a kitchen, I would set the cabinets and then I would install the tile. Install the backer board before you install the cabinets and make certain to place the cabinets on blocks of wood equal to the height of the tile. This will allow you to install the dishwasher and it will maintain the proper height from the tile floor to the counter top.

Cabinets and flooring

Question from Angelica: 

When remodelling a kitchen, do you install cabinets or flooring first? do new cabinets go on top of tile flooring? 

Jake's answer: 

Angelica, It depends what king of floor you are installing. When we remodel a kitchen, we install the hardwood floor before the cabinets. If it is tile or vinyl, we install the cabinets first.