1970s openings sized for old appliances
Appliance openings from the 1970s rarely match current models. We adjust the cabinets around them and keep the rest intact.
Serving Glen Ellyn & nearby Wheaton, Lombard
Kitchen Cabinet Modification in Glen Ellyn, IL
We cut, resize and rebuild the cabinets you already have in Glen Ellyn so a new fridge, range or dishwasher fits and the kitchen works better.
- Serving Glen Ellyn ZIP 60137
- Installed level, sealed and tested before we leave
- Clear price for the install before the visit
Cabinet changes Glen Ellyn owners ask us for
We are cabinet carpenters who handle the small structural changes a kitchen needs between remodels. In Glen Ellyn that usually means making room for a new appliance, adding a microwave shelf or swapping base doors for drawers, without disturbing the rest of the cabinets.
No place for the microwave
Getting the microwave off the counter usually means converting one cabinet into an open shelf sized for it, plus an outlet added by an electrician.
Want a counter-depth or built-in look
A standard-depth fridge sticks out past the counters. We can add deep side panels and a deeper cabinet above so the unit looks set into the cabinetry.
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.
Unfinished or damaged end panels
We add decorative end panels to cabinet runs and islands so bare sides no longer show.
Flat doors that look plain
Adding molding to flat cabinet doors is a common update. Done well, the trim is mitered tight and disappears under the finish.
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.
Switching to a wider range
Moving from a 30-inch to a 36-inch range means taking width from the base cabinets beside it. We cut and rebuild those boxes and coordinate the countertop cut.
What we hook up and check
- Protecting the counters and floorWe lay protection on the floor and tape off counters and adjacent doors.
- Removing doors, fillers or a cabinetWe detach the parts that are in the way and keep anything that can be reused.
- Cutting and rebuilding the boxesBoxes are cut to the new size and rebuilt with new sides, bottoms or face frame pieces as needed.
- 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 tradesElectrical and plumbing changes are booked with licensed trades so the opening is ready on time.
- Appliance fit check and cleanupWe confirm the appliance fits with the needed clearances, then clean the work area.
What to pick before the install
Paint and stain for new partsCabinet-grade paint or stain mixed to your existing finish, sprayed for a smooth surface.
Cabinet-grade plywoodUsed for rebuilt sides, bottoms and shelves because it holds screws well and resists sagging.
Microwave and spice pull-out insertsReady-made inserts for narrow spaces: tray dividers, spice pull-outs and microwave shelves.
Drawer boxes and slidesWe fit sturdy drawer boxes with slides rated for heavy pots.
Moldings and fillersTrim pieces that cover cuts and gaps and tie modified cabinets into the rest.
Kitchen Cabinet Modification before and after — Glen Ellyn homes
Before
Installed
DetailGlen Ellyn kitchen, 1990s two-story colonial: kitchen cabinet modification
This one is a 1990s two-story colonial in Glen Ellyn. Before: honey-oak cathedral raised-panel cabinets with worn finish near the handles, brass knobs and almond appliances. What bothered the owners most: an appliance upgrade the old cabinets could not take. After: the opening widened and the upper cabinet raised, a panel added, a new refrigerator fitting flush. On site this meant protecting the counters and floor, removing doors, fillers or a cabinet, plus cutting and rebuilding the boxes.
Before
AfterWheaton kitchen, two-story colonial from the 1990s: kitchen cabinet modification
A two-story colonial from the 1990s near Danada Square area, a typical kitchen for Wheaton. The kitchen as it was: golden-oak cabinets with oak soffits above and black appliances. What bothered the owners most: a new refrigerator that would not fit the old opening. Finished kitchen: the opening widened and the upper cabinet raised, a panel added, a new refrigerator fitting flush. Work included removing doors, fillers or a cabinet, cutting and rebuilding the boxes, plus matching the finish.
Kitchen Cabinet Modification in Wheaton →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a suburban townhome in Lombard
This one is a suburban townhome in Lombard. What we started with: white raised-panel thermofoil cabinets and white appliances. The reason for the call: 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. On site this meant removing doors, fillers or a cabinet, drawers and shelves, plus appliance fit check and cleanup.
Kitchen Cabinet Modification in Lombard →
Before
AfterAccessible Kitchen Remodeling in a postwar bi-level, Glen Ellyn
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 Glen Ellyn →
Before
AfterKitchen Remodeling in a 1960s ranch, Glen Ellyn
What changed: cabinets in light butter yellow with polished nickel pulls, black honed granite counters, a gray beveled subway tile backsplash, light oak hardwood flooring and two glass pendants and recessed lights.
Kitchen Remodeling in Glen Ellyn →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 estimateYou get a plan of what will be cut and rebuilt and a written estimate.
- 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 Glen Ellyn homeowners
Can you add soft-close to old cabinets?
Yes, in many cases. Exposed or older hinges may need replacing with concealed hinges and some drilling.
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.
Should I modify or replace my cabinets?
Targeted changes make sense for sound cabinets. Widespread damage or a new layout points toward replacement.
Do I need new countertops if you resize a cabinet?
Not always. If an opening grows, the counter may need cutting or a new section, which we arrange with a fabricator.
What affects the cost of cabinet modification?
Cabinet construction, the parts that must be made and any trades involved. We put each item in a written estimate.
Do I need a Glen Ellyn-registered contractor for cabinet modification?
Contractors must register with the Village and meet license and insurance requirements (Village Code 4-1-11); work that does not need a building permit is exempt. We take care of that before work starts.
Do you work in my part of Glen Ellyn?
Yes. Our crews work across Glen Ellyn — ZIP 60137 — and nearby Wheaton, Lombard, Glendale Heights.
Working in Glen Ellyn
- A lot of Glen Ellyn kitchens date from the 1970s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Glen Ellyn homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- Older paint is treated with lead-safe practices: containment, HEPA cleanup and a clean hand-over.
ZIP 60137
Kitchen Cabinet Modification nearby
Other kitchen services in Glen Ellyn
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.