If you've just remodeled your kitchen with a set of new cabinets, you might not want to throw away your old ones. With a little imagination and crafty know-how, you can repurpose your old kitchen cabinets and put them to good use. From a repurposed kitchen island to a comfy footrest, the possibilities are seemingly endless.
A Little Prep Work
Before you set out to repurpose your old kitchen cabinets, you might want to designate an area of the house to work on your project. Place some cloth down to protect your floors while working, then gather up your tools, such as a screwdriver, hammer, nails and power drill. Safety goggles or a face mask might be needed as well. To help inspire you, here are five ways to transform those old kitchen cabinets into clever creations:
1. A New Kitchen Island
Who would have thought you could use those tall kitchen cabinets to create a one-of-a-kind kitchen island? With a little ingenuity, this can be accomplished. This project takes a little effort, as well as a few added building supplies.
Gather your drill and nails, because you'll need to connect several cabinets together. Tall cabinets work best for this project; although, you'll still need added height. You might repurpose outdoor deck posts to use as the island legs.
You'll also need a material for the island counter top. Use a slab of marble, granite or laminate, and adhere this with a strong commercial-grade adhesive. Before doing so, apply a bit of rubber paint between the cabinet top and the granite to act as a moisture barrier. Finally, repaint your newly repurposed cabinet in the color of your choice.
2. A Coffee Table for the Living Room (or Family Room)
If you're in need of a new coffee table for your living room, den or family room, look no further than your old kitchen cabinets. Rather than buying a new table, repurposing those cabinets could save you money. This project may require the use of several cabinets, depending upon the size.
Enlist the help of your family handyman to screw the cabinets together side-by-side. Leave the cabinet doors intact so that the inside shelves may be used to discreetly store magazines and other items inside. After the cabinets are screwed together, complete the project by affixing some laminate or granite to the top with a strong adhesive. Before covering the cabinet with your granite slab, you might want to smooth out any rough cabinet edges with sandpaper.
3. A Child's Toy Chest
Are your child's toys cluttered throughout the bedroom or gathering dust in the closet? Do you need a toy chest to keep smaller items neatly organized? A store-bought toy chest can be expensive, but you can repurpose an old kitchen cabinet to do the job nicely. Keep in mind, a cabinet-turned-toy-chest won't necessarily hold a large volume of large toys, but it may suit the purpose for storing several small toys and stuffed animals.
This is a simple project that does not require any modification, unless you choose to embellish it. All you have to do is position the cabinet on the floor or a table, with the lid facing up. If you're concerned about safety, you might install toy box supports to be used with existing hinges. These are self-balancing and will hold the toy box lid in a locked position, preventing the door from slamming shut on your little one's fingers.
You might also add whimsical decals to the newly repurposed toy box. Perhaps you'd like to repaint it to match the room decor. This can be a fun project your child can help with.
4. Laundry Room Storage If your laundry room lacks shelves for storing laundry detergent, fabric softeners and other wash room necessities, this idea might provide the ideal solution. Install a few kitchen cabinets on the wall above your washer and dryer, then repaint or refinish them as you wish. Cabinet doors can be removed to reveal shelf space, or you can keep them as-is for hidden storage.
5. An Over-sized Footrest If your favorite easy chair lacks a footrest and you've nixed the notion of buying a new ottoman, that unused kitchen cabinet might fit the bill. Simply nail some soft material to the top. A well-padded chair cushion might be ideal for this. You can use the inside door for storing TV remotes or magazines.
Be creative in your efforts, as there are many ways to repurpose unused kitchen cabinets. With only a few extras that may be purchased at your local home improvement center or hardware store, you can create a one-of-kind conversation piece or a useful addition to any room of your home.
