Hey everyone! My husband and I just bought our first house, and while we're super excited, we are also pretty overwhelmed. One major issue we're dealing with is the old fridge that came with the house — it's tiny, ancient, and basically doesn't work right (the light's out, and it's warm). This has made cooking a struggle, and we've found ourselves relying way too much on takeout, which is affecting our health and mood.
We're considering a few options: (1) getting a small 'garage' fridge as a temporary solution, (2) removing the upper and side cabinets to make space for a larger fridge we actually want, or (3) trying to repair the old fridge, which isn't appealing as we really want something better.
For option 2, we wouldn't want to spend a lot since we plan to redo the kitchen in a few years. I'm curious if anyone has experience with removing kitchen cabinets. Is it feasible to do ourselves? What should we expect in terms of cost and effort? If a professional is needed, what budget should we anticipate? Any advice would mean the world to us!
3 Answers
Removing that cabinet should be pretty straightforward for you! If you've managed to install a bathroom fan, you can definitely tackle this. It's mostly a matter of unscrewing a few screws and maybe patching up the wall afterward. Just be careful when you’re demoing so nothing else gets damaged. It sounds like a small project, but having the right tools will make your life easier. Good luck!
You really should consider option 2. It's a better long-term investment. Based on your description, it sounds like you can probably take that top cabinet out without much hassle. Plus, with the right tools, it might only take a couple hours. Consider your ultimate kitchen goals too — what will help you in the long run? Sometimes you just have to smash it out and make way for what you really want!
I agree! Once you figure out your future kitchen layout, it’ll become clearer what to do now.
It looks pretty easy to take out that cabinet. From what you've shared, I think your fridge cleanup might also improve its performance — you could start with that if you're looking for a quick win. You’ve got this!
Photos definitely help! [Here are mine](https://imgur.com/a/P23oOoI). Any thoughts based on the pic?

Thanks for the encouragement! Sounds like we might actually be able to pull this off!