1960s openings sized for old appliances
Cabinets from the 1960s were built around appliance sizes that have since grown. We resize those openings rather than replacing every cabinet.
Serving Des Plaines & nearby Mount Prospect, Park Ridge
Kitchen Cabinet Modification in Des Plaines, IL
We cut, resize and rebuild the cabinets you already have in Des Plaines so a new fridge, range or dishwasher fits and the kitchen works better.
- Installers working in Des Plaines ZIP 60016, 60018
- Hookups by licensed trades where the code calls for it
- Old unit hauled away on request
Cabinet changes Des Plaines 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 Des Plaines kitchen.
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.
Removing an upper for open shelves
Taking out one or two wall cabinets for open shelving is a simple change. We patch the wall behind, mount solid shelves and finish the cabinet ends left exposed.
Adding a dishwasher to an older kitchen
To fit a dishwasher where none existed, a base cabinet near the sink has to go. We take it out cleanly, build the opening and leave it ready for the plumber and electrician.
No place for the microwave
A microwave taking up counter space can move into a shelf built into an upper or base cabinet, with a trim kit or a finished opening.
Uppers that stop short of the ceiling
If there is open space over the uppers, we can fill it with stacked cabinets or a taller crown detail that matches the doors.
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.
Fridge opening too narrow
When a wider refrigerator will not fit between the cabinets, we remove a filler, trim a face frame or take out a narrow side cabinet to gain the width.
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.
- Raising or shortening uppersUpper cabinets over the fridge or range are lifted or cut down and reattached to the wall framing.
- Panels, fillers and trimNew end panels, fillers, scribe and toe-kick are fitted where the cabinets were changed.
- Drawers and shelvesWe fit the new drawers or shelves and adjust them to run smoothly.
- Matching the finishWe color-match new wood to your cabinets and tell you up front if an exact match is not possible.
- Coordinating other tradesIf an outlet, water line or gas line has to move, we schedule a licensed trade around our work.
- Appliance fit check and cleanupWe confirm the appliance fits with the needed clearances, then clean the work area.
What to pick before the install
Appliance panels and trim kitsCustom fronts for panel-ready appliances and trim kits for built-in microwaves.
Moldings and fillersTrim pieces that cover cuts and gaps and tie modified cabinets into the rest.
Finished end and refrigerator panelsFlat, Shaker or raised panels sized for fridge surrounds, cabinet ends and island sides.
Cabinet-grade plywoodPlywood is our default for new box parts; it is stiffer and handles moisture better than particleboard.
Paint and stain for new partsCabinet-grade paint or stain mixed to your existing finish, sprayed for a smooth surface.
Before and after: kitchens near Des Plaines
Before
Installed
DetailBefore and after: a two-story colonial from the 1990s in Des Plaines
This one is a two-story colonial from the 1990s in Des Plaines. Before: honey-oak cathedral raised-panel cabinets with worn finish near the handles, brass knobs and almond appliances. What bothered the owners most: a new refrigerator that would not fit the old opening. After: the opening widened and the upper cabinet raised, a panel added, a new refrigerator fitting flush. The job covered measuring the appliance and opening, raising or shortening uppers, plus appliance fit check and cleanup.
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1980s condo in Mount Prospect
A 1980s condo in Mount Prospect, a typical kitchen for Mount Prospect. What we started with: white raised-panel thermofoil cabinets and white appliances. The main complaint was a new refrigerator that would not fit the old opening. After: the opening widened and the upper cabinet raised, a panel added, a new refrigerator fitting flush. The job covered raising or shortening uppers, drawers and shelves, plus matching the finish.
Kitchen Cabinet Modification in Mount Prospect →
Before
AfterAccessible Kitchen Remodeling in a 1950s ranch, Des Plaines
Finished: a lowered bright white quartz counter section with knee space under the sink, cabinets in cream uppers and walnut-stained lowers with polished nickel pulls, pull-down shelves in the uppers, drawers instead of base doors, a side-opening wall oven, a lever faucet and two glass pendants and recessed lights.
Accessible Kitchen Remodeling in Des Plaines →
Before
AfterDes Plaines kitchen, 1950s ranch: kitchen remodeling
Cabinets in light butter yellow with satin brass pulls, creamy quartzite-look quartz counters, a green zellige-look tile backsplash, warm oak luxury vinyl plank flooring and a flush drum fixture and under-cabinet lights.
Kitchen Remodeling in Des Plaines →
Before
AfterDes Plaines kitchen, postwar bi-level: kitchen cabinet painting
Finished: the same doors sprayed in pale sage, new polished nickel pulls; counters and floor stayed as they were.
Kitchen Cabinet Painting in Des Plaines →How the install goes
- Visit and measureAt the visit we measure the openings and check how the cabinets are built.
- Plan and estimateWe explain the approach, any limits on finish matching and the price in writing.
- Parts preparedAnything custom is built ahead so the on-site time stays short.
- On-site workMost modifications are finished on site in one or two working days.
- Fit checkWe check clearances and door swings with you before we leave.
Kitchen Cabinet Modification questions from Des Plaines homeowners
Can you modify cabinets for a dishwasher?
Yes, including openings for panel-ready models. We coordinate with the plumber and electrician for the connections.
Can you add soft-close to old cabinets?
Usually. We check your hinge type and drawer construction and tell you what upgrade fits.
Will the new parts match my cabinets?
Painted cabinets match well. With older stained cabinets we test the finish on a sample piece first.
Is a small cabinet job worth calling about?
We take small modification jobs. Several small changes can also be done in the same visit.
Can cabinet doors be changed to drawers?
Yes. We rebuild the base cabinet inside, install drawer boxes and slides, and make fronts that match your doors.
Do I need a Des Plaines-registered contractor for cabinet modification?
Contractors must register with the City (via the online portal); registrations expire Dec 31. We take care of that before work starts.
Do I need a permit for cabinet modification in Des Plaines?
It depends on the scope. Des Plaines's rule in short: A building permit is required for any residential kitchen remodel; non-structural work uses the Kitchen/Bath Non-Structural permit ($150 fee, rough and final inspections). We handle the permit when one is needed with Community and Economic Development Department - Building Division.
Do you work in my part of Des Plaines?
Yes. Our crews work across Des Plaines — ZIP 60016, 60018 — and nearby Mount Prospect, Park Ridge, Elk Grove Village.
Working in Des Plaines
- A lot of Des Plaines kitchens date from the 1960s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Des Plaines homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- We know how Community and Economic Development Department - Building Division handles kitchen permits and pull them for you.
ZIP 60016ZIP 60018
Kitchen Cabinet Modification nearby
Other kitchen services in Des Plaines
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.