1950s openings sized for old appliances
Appliance openings from the 1950s rarely match current models. We adjust the cabinets around them and keep the rest intact.
Serving Park Ridge & nearby Des Plaines, Glenview
Kitchen Cabinet Modification in Park Ridge, IL
We cut, resize and rebuild the cabinets you already have in Park Ridge so a new fridge, range or dishwasher fits and the kitchen works better.
- Installers working in Park Ridge ZIP 60068
- Hookups by licensed trades where the code calls for it
- Old unit hauled away on request
Cabinet changes Park Ridge 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 Park Ridge kitchen.
Removing an upper for open shelves
If you want open shelves by the window or range, we remove the upper, close up the sides of the remaining cabinets and hang shelves into the studs.
Unfinished or damaged end panels
Exposed cabinet sides that are plain, scuffed or a mismatched color can be covered with new finished panels in the door style.
Base cabinets with doors instead of drawers
Deep base cabinets with a door and one shelf waste space. We convert them into stacks of drawers with new boxes, slides and matching fronts.
Panel-ready dishwasher or fridge
Integrated appliances need a custom front cut to exact size. We match the style and finish, then fit it with even gaps.
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.
Flat doors that look plain
If you like your cabinets but the doors are too plain, applied trim changes the profile without new doors.
Uppers that stop short of the ceiling
Extending wall cabinets upward with matching boxes or crown gives more storage and a finished top line.
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.
- 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 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.
- Hardware and soft-close partsAny door or drawer we touch gets its hinges and pulls aligned with the neighboring cabinets.
- Appliance fit check and cleanupThe new unit is test-fitted, doors are adjusted and the dust leaves with us.
Options to choose from
Appliance panels and trim kitsFronts and trim for integrated dishwashers, fridges and microwaves, sized to the maker's template.
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 partsWe finish new pieces with the same type of coating the cabinets have, tinted to match.
Microwave and spice pull-out insertsReady-made inserts for narrow spaces: tray dividers, spice pull-outs and microwave shelves.
Kitchens like yours in Park Ridge: before and after
Before
Installed
DetailPark Ridge kitchen, 1980s two-story: kitchen cabinet modification
A 1980s two-story in Park Ridge, a typical kitchen for Park Ridge. The kitchen as it was: honey-oak cathedral raised-panel cabinets with worn finish near the handles, brass knobs and almond 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 measuring the appliance and opening, protecting the counters and floor, plus cutting and rebuilding the boxes.
Before
AfterSkokie kitchen, 1990s two-story colonial: kitchen cabinet modification
The site: a 1990s two-story colonial in Skokie. What we started with: 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. The result: the opening widened and the upper cabinet raised, a panel added, a new refrigerator fitting flush. The job covered raising or shortening uppers, hardware and soft-close parts, plus appliance fit check and cleanup.
Kitchen Cabinet Modification in Skokie →
Before
AfterMount Prospect kitchen, 1980s condo: kitchen cabinet modification
This one is a 1980s condo in Mount Prospect. 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 measuring the appliance and opening, removing doors, fillers or a cabinet, plus cutting and rebuilding the boxes.
Kitchen Cabinet Modification in Mount Prospect →
Before
AfterPark Ridge kitchen, 1960s ranch: accessible kitchen remodeling
What changed: a lowered black honed granite counter section with knee space under the sink, cabinets in deep burgundy with polished nickel pulls, pull-down shelves in the uppers, drawers instead of base doors, a side-opening wall oven, a lever faucet and black cage pendants and slim recessed lights.
Accessible Kitchen Remodeling in Park Ridge →
Before
AfterA Park Ridge postwar Cape Cod: before and after
Finished: cabinets in forest green with matte black pulls, black honed granite 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 Park Ridge →How the install goes
- 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 checkWe check clearances and door swings with you before we leave.
Kitchen Cabinet Modification questions from Park Ridge homeowners
Do I need new countertops if you resize a cabinet?
Only when the base cabinet under the counter changes size. Upper-cabinet work leaves countertops alone.
Will the new parts match my cabinets?
Painted cabinets match well. With older stained cabinets we test the finish on a sample piece first.
Can my cabinets be cut for a bigger fridge?
Usually. The upper cabinet is the most common change, and width can come from fillers or a side cabinet.
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.
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 Park Ridge-registered contractor for cabinet modification?
Building contractors must register with the City each calendar year ($50 per firm). We take care of that before work starts.
Do I need a permit for cabinet modification in Park Ridge?
It depends on the scope. Park Ridge's rule in short: Park Ridge publishes permit guidelines by project type; contact the Permit Technicians to confirm whether a kitchen project needs a permit. We handle the permit when one is needed.
Do you work in my part of Park Ridge?
Yes. Our crews work across Park Ridge — ZIP 60068 — and nearby Des Plaines, Glenview, Skokie.
Working in Park Ridge
- A lot of Park Ridge kitchens date from the 1950s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Park Ridge homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- We know how Park Ridge building department handles kitchen permits and pull them for you.
ZIP 60068
Kitchen Cabinet Modification nearby
Other kitchen services in Park Ridge
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.