What are your thoughts on built-in desks in the kitchen? I always think I'm going to use them. They seem so convenient. In reality, they take up valuable cabinet space and they end up being a catch-all for random papers and things that don't really belong anywhere. It's like a junk drawer but on a countertop. I have one in my current kitchen and I finally decided it was time to change things up.
There's a pantry to the left of the desk that is always overfilled. I considered putting uppers, lowers and a countertop in place of the desk but that would only take care of the problem of not having enough cabinet space. I would still have a messy countertop. More pantry space would be ideal for my needs. I can't even imagine how much two more pantries would cost if I bought matching ones to fit the space. Instead, I bought two pantries from IKEA that match the ones above the coffee bar on the other side of the room. Before I got started, I had to empty the space. I have a lot of organizing to do once this project is finished.
The first issue I came across was the outlet on the wall and the light fixture underneath the cubbies. I quickly found out that the light was not battery operated but hardwired.
Live wires and outlets can never be hidden behind anything permanent so I planned for a cutout in the back of the bigger pantry that I bought. I will reattach the light fixture inside that pantry. I don't have a plan yet, but I think I'll come up with something interesting for the light and outlet. Who knows? Maybe I'll even make it into a standing desk. If it can be hidden behind a door, maybe it won't be so bad.
I spent quite a bit of time carefully pulling cabinets out of the space. They're really nice so I wasn't about to destroy them. I prefer controlled demo anyway because I love reusing things.
The part that took the longest was removing the granite countertop. I haven't figured out how I will reuse it yet. Also, I knew it would be heavy but I wasn't prepared for just how heavy!
Once I pulled the bank of drawers out, I discovered a gap in the tile floor. It is frustrating having to deal with a tile floor that was laid after the cabinets were installed but, in this case, I only had to find a scrap piece of wood that was the same thickness. The only leg of the pantry that would have been affected was that back right one.
I love putting cabinets together!
Once the cabinets were up, there was a lot of fastening to do. It's really important to make sure they're attached to the studs and the cabinetry on each side. It doesn't matter how vigilant we mothers are, kids will always do dumb things. You know someone is going to try to climb the shelves on the inside to reach the forbidden items at the top!
The first one I put up included a pull-out shelving unit for cleaning supplies.
The second one was all adjustable shelves. I cut a hole out of the back panel to keep access to the outlet and wiring for the light.
I pushed the granite piece in between them, for now, since I don't yet know what I'm going to do with it.
There are a lot of finishing touches left to do but I don't have the pieces yet. I am waiting for a filler strip to go between them and a toe kick piece for underneath them. I am very impatient so I may end up improvising and making my own pieces. I'll just have to try a few different stain colors to try to match the other cabinets. I also haven't decided what I want to do at the top yet. The goal is to make it look more purposeful. For now, it's usable and that makes me happy. I will definitely share again once I complete all of the finishes.
I am always starting new projects before finishing the ones I'm in the middle of. I can't help myself. As I was walking away from this, I was carrying all of those upper desk cabinets up to my laundry room upstairs. I got the cabinets up and started painting but I've already decided that I don't like this arrangement and will be switching them up a bit and adding floating shelves somewhere. The cabinet above the sink was already in the room. The other cabinets where above the desk in the kitchen previously. Ugh. I can't wait to take that horrible fluorescent light fixture out of there!
Next, I need to figure out what to do with the granite countertop and other desk pieces. Now, where's my level?
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