1970s openings sized for old appliances
Kitchens from that era often have a fridge nook and range gap that are too small now. Targeted cabinet work fixes the fit.
Serving Wheaton & nearby Glen Ellyn, Winfield
Kitchen Cabinet Modification in Wheaton, IL
We cut, resize and rebuild the cabinets you already have in Wheaton so a new fridge, range or dishwasher fits and the kitchen works better.
- Serving Wheaton ZIP 60189, 60187
- Installed level, sealed and tested before we leave
- Clear price for the install before the visit
Cabinet changes Wheaton owners ask us for
We are cabinet carpenters who handle the small structural changes a kitchen needs between remodels. In Wheaton 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Flat doors that look plain
Simple slab doors can take applied trim to create a Shaker-style frame. We cut, glue and fill the molding, then the doors are painted to match.
Wasted space at fillers and corners
Corners and fillers hide usable inches. We look at whether a slim pull-out, a tray divider or a reworked corner cabinet fits.
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.
What the install includes
- Measuring the appliance and openingWe check the new appliance's spec sheet against the actual opening, including clearances and door swing.
- Protecting the counters and floorCounters, floors and nearby cabinets are covered before we start cutting.
- Cutting and rebuilding the boxesWe resize each cabinet and reinforce it so it is as solid as before.
- Raising or shortening uppersUpper cabinets over the fridge or range are lifted or cut down and reattached to the wall framing.
- Panels, fillers and trimFinished panels and trim cover every cut edge and new side.
- Drawers and shelvesWe fit the new drawers or shelves and adjust them to run smoothly.
- Hardware and soft-close partsHinges, slides and pulls on changed cabinets are replaced or reset to match the rest.
Options to choose from
Appliance panels and trim kitsCustom fronts for panel-ready appliances and trim kits for built-in microwaves.
Matching face frame stockWe use the same wood species as your frames when we rebuild an edge.
Finished end and refrigerator panelsFlat, Shaker or raised panels sized for fridge surrounds, cabinet ends and island sides.
Cabinet-grade plywoodUsed for rebuilt sides, bottoms and shelves because it holds screws well and resists sagging.
Paint and stain for new partsWe finish new pieces with the same type of coating the cabinets have, tinted to match.
Before and after: kitchens near Wheaton
Before
Installed
DetailKitchen Cabinet Modification in a 1980s two-story, Wheaton
A 1980s two-story in Wheaton, a typical kitchen for Wheaton. Before: golden-oak cabinets with oak soffits above and black appliances. The main complaint was 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. The job covered protecting the counters and floor, drawers and shelves, plus hardware and soft-close parts.
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1990s two-story colonial in Glen Ellyn
The site: a 1990s two-story colonial in Glen Ellyn. The kitchen as it was: 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. Finished kitchen: 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 panels, fillers and trim.
Kitchen Cabinet Modification in Glen Ellyn →
Before
AfterKitchen Cabinet Modification in a two-story colonial from the 1990s, Glendale Heights
This one is a two-story colonial from the 1990s in Glendale Heights. The kitchen as it was: 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 cutting and rebuilding the boxes, raising or shortening uppers, plus panels, fillers and trim.
Kitchen Cabinet Modification in Glendale Heights →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1980s two-story in Wheaton
Finished: 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 Wheaton →
Before
AfterWheaton kitchen, two-story colonial from the 1990s: kitchen remodeling
What changed: cabinets in muted aubergine with matte black pulls, dark soapstone-look quartz counters, a terracotta-look square tile backsplash, hickory luxury vinyl plank flooring and two glass pendants and recessed lights.
Kitchen Remodeling in Wheaton →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 Wheaton homeowners
Can cabinet doors be changed to drawers?
Usually. Converting door bases to drawers is one of the most useful changes we make.
Can you modify existing kitchen cabinets?
In most kitchens, yes. Face-frame and frameless cabinets can both be resized, though the method differs.
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.
Can my cabinets be cut for a bigger fridge?
In many kitchens it can be done. We check the new fridge's height, width and clearance needs against your opening first.
Do you also install the appliance?
We handle the cabinet side. Hookups that need a plumber, gas fitter or electrician are scheduled with them.
Wheaton contractor registration: do kitchen contractors need it?
Yes: contractors register online with the City; $75 fee, renewed annually. We take care of that before work starts.
Do you work in my part of Wheaton?
Yes. Our crews work across Wheaton, including Downtown Wheaton, Wheaton Center, Danada Square area — ZIP 60189, 60187 — and nearby Glen Ellyn, Winfield, Glendale Heights.
Working in Wheaton
- A lot of Wheaton kitchens date from the 1970s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Wheaton 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.
Downtown WheatonWheaton CenterDanada Square area
ZIP 60189ZIP 60187
Kitchen Cabinet Modification nearby
Other kitchen services in Wheaton
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.