kitchen newbie - rearranging cabinets?

[farmbelle]

Hi all, I'm brand new here but have been lurking for a bit and am so impressed by all the collective wisdom!

We are just in the process of buying our first house, and i have some stupid questions about kitchens. We would want to knock through a wall to make an open plan kitchen/diner - which would mean completely taking the cabinets off the walls. Is it realistic to think we could reuse the existing cabinets and rearrange them in a completely different format? Provided we had the overall measurements right would they still sit flush with each other?

We would also be removing some integrated appliances (creating a utility room), and was planning of buying a couple of extra 2nd hand units off eBay that roughly matched and fitting them on the other wall.

We would them paint all cabinets the same colour and put on a new work surface. Also need to tile the floor.

Is this a horrible idea and completely naff? I honestly have no clue about anything DIY as this is the first time we have started anything. Just trying to avoid paying for a whole new kitchen really but please set me straight if its stupid! Thanks

[wowfudge]

If you have a limited budget, it sounds like a sensible plan but you need to hone your DIY skills - there are lots of videos on YouTube to show you what to do. You need the right tools too. If anyone asks would you like anything for your new home, ask for tools and equipment or vouchers. Using the right equipment makes the job easier and safer. Looked after, most of these things will last you a lifetime too.

[Testificateman]

Wall units normally just lift off the brackets. Just take note of how the brackets are on the wall.

[farmbelle]

very helpful, thank you. We would get help with the actual fitting, and its mainly base units that we would want to move.

Is it just as simple, once the cabinets are off, as re-ordering/moving them, and filling any gaps with new units? Its mainly drawers that i'd like to get hold of and put in (then worktop on top obviously)

or is there something more too it than that? our friends told us changing the cabinets around couldn't really be done, is there something I'm missing?

[Testificateman]

Base units are even easier. Just remove a couple of screws at the back. No need for any gaps.

[NotMeNoNo]

We've done this to eke out a kitchen for a few more years. It is good value for money if you have enough units. At one point we had completely non matching interiors in cabinets but managed to find matching fronts. Agree it might be worth getting your DIY brushed up. Or get a carpenter in for 1-2 days - if you can sketch out what you want it should be fine. Painting to match in new and old is a great idea.
99% of British kitchen units are the same standard size but do check.

[NotMeNoNo]

You might find this kitchen installation video helpful as IIRC it shows what you will do in reverse, and then to re-fit. As long as the units are lined up carefully and you carefully save and re-use the matching trims, ends etc, it should look great!

here

[farmbelle]

thats brilliant, until i watched that i didn't know how the units went in so yes hopefully we could make use of them!

thanks everyone for the help!