1990s openings sized for old appliances
Cabinets from the 1990s were built around appliance sizes that have since grown. We resize those openings rather than replacing every cabinet.
Serving Aurora & nearby Batavia, Warrenville
Kitchen Cabinet Modification in Aurora, IL
We cut, resize and rebuild the cabinets you already have in Aurora so a new fridge, range or dishwasher fits and the kitchen works better.
- Installers working in Aurora ZIP 60506, 60502, 60505, 60504, 60503
- Hookups by licensed trades where the code calls for it
- Old unit hauled away on request
Cabinet changes Aurora owners ask us for
You do not need new cabinets to get a bigger refrigerator or more drawers. We rework the boxes you already own: openings widened or raised, doors turned into drawers, panels and fillers added, all matched to the finish in your Aurora kitchen.
New refrigerator is too tall for the opening
If the hinge on top of the new fridge hits the cabinet above, the upper box can be cut down or lifted. We rebuild its bottom and rehang the doors so it still looks factory-made.
Panel-ready dishwasher or fridge
If you want the dishwasher to disappear into the cabinets, we make a matching front and attach it so it lines up with the drawers beside it.
Want a counter-depth or built-in look
Tall end panels on both sides and a deep box over the top make an ordinary refrigerator read as built-in. We match the panels to your doors.
Base cabinets with doors instead of drawers
We rebuild door-style base cabinets into two or three deep drawers, with fronts made to match the rest of the kitchen.
Uppers that stop short of the ceiling
A gap above the wall cabinets collects dust and wastes storage. We add short stacked cabinets or tall trim so the uppers run to the ceiling.
Fridge opening too narrow
Going from a narrow fridge to a standard or French-door model often means giving up a slim cabinet next to it. We remove it and finish the side so nothing looks cut.
Adding a dishwasher to an older kitchen
Some older kitchens never had a dishwasher. We remove a base cabinet next to the sink, frame a standard opening and finish the sides for the new unit.
What we hook up and check
- Measuring the appliance and openingBefore any cut, we compare the manufacturer's cutout dimensions with what the cabinets really measure.
- Cutting and rebuilding the boxesWe resize each cabinet and reinforce it so it is as solid as before.
- Raising or shortening uppersWe reset wall cabinets at the new height and fasten them securely into studs.
- Matching the finishNew parts are painted or stained to match the existing cabinets as closely as the old finish allows.
- Hardware and soft-close partsAny door or drawer we touch gets its hinges and pulls aligned with the neighboring cabinets.
- Coordinating other tradesElectrical and plumbing changes are booked with licensed trades so the opening is ready on time.
- Appliance fit check and cleanupThe new unit is test-fitted, doors are adjusted and the dust leaves with us.
Models, parts and fittings
Paint and stain for new partsCabinet-grade paint or stain mixed to your existing finish, sprayed for a smooth surface.
Cabinet-grade plywoodPlywood is our default for new box parts; it is stiffer and handles moisture better than particleboard.
Drawer boxes and slidesPlywood or dovetail drawer boxes on full-extension, soft-close slides.
Moldings and fillersTrim pieces that cover cuts and gaps and tie modified cabinets into the rest.
Finished end and refrigerator panelsPanels come in paint-grade or stain-grade versions to suit your cabinets.
Kitchens like yours in Aurora: before and after
Before
Installed
DetailKitchen Cabinet Modification in a 1980s two-story, Aurora
The site: a 1980s two-story near West Side. What we started with: golden-oak cabinets with oak soffits above and black appliances. The main complaint was cabinets built around appliances that no longer exist. Finished kitchen: the opening widened and the upper cabinet raised, a panel added, a new refrigerator fitting flush. On site this meant cutting and rebuilding the boxes, raising or shortening uppers, plus coordinating other trades.
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1980s two-story in Warrenville
A 1980s two-story in Warrenville, a typical kitchen for Warrenville. Before: white thermofoil cabinets peeling at the edges, oak trim and white appliances. What bothered the owners most: an appliance upgrade the old cabinets could not take. The result: the opening widened and the upper cabinet raised, a panel added, a new refrigerator fitting flush. Work included measuring the appliance and opening, cutting and rebuilding the boxes, plus appliance fit check and cleanup.
Kitchen Cabinet Modification in Warrenville →
Before
AfterAccessible Kitchen Remodeling in a 1990s two-story colonial, Aurora
What changed: a lowered charcoal concrete-look quartz counter section with knee space under the sink, cabinets in deep burgundy with brushed nickel bar pulls, pull-down shelves in the uppers, drawers instead of base doors, a side-opening wall oven, a lever faucet and a flush drum fixture and under-cabinet lights.
Accessible Kitchen Remodeling in Aurora →
Before
AfterKitchen Remodeling in a 1980s two-story, Aurora
Cabinets in white uppers and deep green lowers with unlacquered brass knobs and cup pulls, warm walnut butcher block counters, a green zellige-look tile backsplash, warm oak luxury vinyl plank flooring and recessed lights and under-cabinet LED strips.
Kitchen Remodeling in Aurora →
Before
AfterKitchen Cabinet Painting in a 1990s two-story colonial, Aurora
Finished: the same doors sprayed in creamy white uppers and navy lowers, new matte black pulls; counters and floor stayed as they were.
Kitchen Cabinet Painting in Aurora →From the old unit to the new one
- Visit and measureWe look at the cabinets, the new appliance specs and what you want to change.
- Plan and estimateWe explain the approach, any limits on finish matching and the price in writing.
- Parts preparedPanels, fronts and drawer boxes are made or ordered to size.
- On-site workMost modifications are finished on site in one or two working days.
- Fit checkThe appliance goes in, we adjust everything and walk through it with you.
Kitchen Cabinet Modification questions from Aurora homeowners
What is the cheapest way to upgrade kitchen cabinets?
Small changes often give the most: new hardware, soft-close hinges, a few drawers and finished panels on bare ends.
Can you modify cabinets for a dishwasher?
We can. A base cabinet near the sink becomes the dishwasher opening, with the counter supported above it.
Can you modify existing kitchen cabinets?
Yes. Cabinets can be cut down, widened, raised or rebuilt inside as long as the boxes are sound. We look first and tell you what is realistic.
What affects the cost of cabinet modification?
The number of cabinets changed, whether counters are affected, custom panels or fronts and finish matching. We give a written, itemized estimate after the visit.
Do you also install the appliance?
We fit the space and the panels; utility connections are done by the appropriate licensed trade.
Do I need a Aurora-registered contractor for cabinet modification?
Contractors must be registered/licensed with the City (application, required testing if applicable, proof of insurance naming the City as additional insured). Homeowners may act as own contractor if owner-occupied 6+ months with a Homeowner Liability Waiver. We take care of that before work starts.
Do I need a permit for cabinet modification in Aurora?
It depends on the scope. Aurora's rule in short: Interior remodels, structural changes and interior plumbing always need a permit; electrical/mechanical may. We handle the permit when one is needed with Division of Building and Permits, City of Aurora.
Do you work in my part of Aurora?
Yes. Our crews work across Aurora, including Near Eastside, Tanner, Riddle Highlands, Palace Street — ZIP 60506, 60502, 60505, 60504, 60503 — and nearby Batavia, Warrenville, Naperville.
Working in Aurora
- A lot of Aurora kitchens date from the 1990s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Aurora homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- Live in a historic district? Interior kitchen work is usually not reviewed. We check before anything touches the exterior.
Near EastsideTannerRiddle HighlandsPalace StreetWest SideFar East Side
ZIP 60506ZIP 60502ZIP 60505ZIP 60504ZIP 60503
Kitchen Cabinet Modification nearby
Other kitchen services in Aurora
Kitchen Cabinet & Drawer RepairHinges, drawer slides and water-damaged sink bases fixed.
Pull-Out Shelves & Cabinet OrganizersRoll-out shelves and organizers built to fit your existing cabinets.
Accessible Kitchen RemodelingKitchens that work for every age and ability.
Kitchen RemodelingFull kitchen remodels, from layout to last cabinet pull.
Kitchen Cabinet PaintingFactory-smooth painted cabinets without replacing them.