Skip to main content

Hackers Help: Filling a gap between kitchen cabinets and wall

Hi all!

I have the an IKEA METOD kitchen that I adore, but I have this annoying gap that currently holds no function. I want to fill this gap with something useful. My original idea was a pull-out cabinet on wheels, but everything is crooked in that kitchen, and I quickly realized I was way in over my head with that idea. Now I’m thinking a simple open cabinet design with space for my cookbooks might be a better use.

My current plan is to buy an IKEA cabinet and shorten it width-wise to 13 cm, so it fits in the gap. But how do I do that? Would you try and recreate the dowel holes or just attach them together using screws? And which cabinet do I buy? Here are the current contenders:

* METOD 20x60x80, classic base cabinet:
Thoughts: It’s cheap, and similar to the rest of the base cabinets, but it may be overly deep for cookbooks, and the metal bars might be tough to shorten.

* METOD 20x37x80, classic wall cabinet:
Thoughts: The cheapest option, no metal bars, easy to adjust shelves.

* HÖRDA 20x37x80:
Thoughts: The most expensive solution. “Prettier” (doesn’t have the holes). Shelves seems fixed?

Which would you choose? And how do I go about shortening them? Or would You do something entirely different? This has been sitting for 2 years now – IKEA hackers help!

Cheers!
Patricia

Some specs:

  • The kitchen is METOD with off-white GRYTNÄS cabinets.
  • The gap is 13cm(+/-) and sits between a sink cabinet and a wall that is very irregular.
  • The countertop is extra deep (+11cm), which means that the current lower cabinets hangs on a wooden beam attached to the wall.

***

Hi Patricia

I adore my METOD kitchen too.

If I were you, I would go about filling the gap with the METOD wall cabinet. Like you said, it’s cheap and not too deep for books. It is also easiest to resize to the right dimensions.

METOD wall cabinet | IKEA.com

A circular saw would give you the best results. Failing which, you can use a jigsaw. Always use a sharp blade.

Measure the top and bottom panel and 2 shelves and mark where you want to cut. Use masking tape along the cut line to reduce splitting.

After cutting, sand down the cut edges. 

As for recreating the dowel holes, that will depend on your woodworking skills. If you do not feel confident about it, then just screw the frame and shelves in, after determining the best height for your books. You can always cover up the holes with the VARIERA cover caps.

I can’t be sure but you may have enough scrap material from the discarded pieces to create a toe-kick for the front and back of the cabinet. This will help prop the wall cabinet to the same height as your METOD base cabinet.

Then just slide the cabinet in and caulk the edges if you want a more polished finish.

I hope that helps.

Let us know how it goes.

Happy hacking,

Jules

The post Hackers Help: Filling a gap between kitchen cabinets and wall appeared first on IKEA Hackers.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

SKÅDIS: 5 ways to make the IKEA pegboard even better

IKEA introduced its own pegboard system, SKÅDIS, two years ago and I’d say it’s one of the best systems IKEA launched in recent years. I love how super customisable it is, with a growing range of accessories that help keep things organized. It works everywhere, in your wardrobe to bathroom . Probably anywhere you have a flat surface to hang it up. Photo: IKEA.com SKÅDIS pegboard system See it on IKEA.com But no matter how perfect a system, you can trust IKEA hackers to improve on the SKÅDIS. And they’ve settle these 5 issues you may have faced with the handy IKEA pegboard. Read on for their fixes. 5 IKEA SKÅDIS issues and fixes #1 Expensive hooks? You’ll need quite a number of hooks and accessories to fill up the SKÅDIS pegboard, and Kenyer was shocked at how quickly they all added up. So he figured he could make his own hooks to save cost. Photo: Kenyer Over at Instructables , he shows us how to twist copper wires into the SKÅDIS hook shape. It works s...
Post a Comment
Read more

KALLAX desk ideas: Three ways to set up a workstation

Three great ideas for a KALLAX desk . #1 Compact, minimalist desk for laptop I put together a KALLAX desk for my laptop for just under 25 euros. Just a KALLAX 2×2 is needed. No other materials required. IKEA item used: KALLAX 2 x 2 (77 x 77 cm) KALLAX 2×2 | IKEA.com All you need to do is assemble 3 of the pieces in a U shape. That is all.  If you want to strengthen the structure you would need to drill a couple of holes in order to use the long middle shelf of the KALLAX unit as a back reinforcer. Easy and it works. ~ by Fabio Tudela #2 KALLAX standing desk I choose to stand at work because it makes me feel infinitely more productive. Our department recently moved into a new building and we had the opportunity to design our own spaces. Items Used: VIKA AMON / TORNLIDEN table top x 2 (discontinued, replaced by LINNMON ) KALLAX 4 cube x 2 KALLAX drawer unit x 2 8 – 3″ locking casters / wheels 1 – 6′ zinc brace I had a few VIKA AMON tables ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Hackers Help: How to remake cam lock holes?

I want to put a 78.5” wide PAX configuration in a 77” space for a kids room . My plan is to eliminate the drawer on the right unit, then cut the shelves and rails to be 1.5” narrower. My question is, how do people attach two laminated pressboard IKEA pieces after they’ve cut off the cam lock holes? Related: See more Hackers Help questions and answers . Are they using drills bits and/or tiny hole saws to remake the cam lock holes? Or screws drilled in from the outside with wood glue? The outside pieces won’t be visible in my completed setup so I could go either way. I’m curious what other people are doing, either I haven’t seen this detail in past hacks or I haven’t been paying attention. ~ by Jenny *** Hi Jenny The best and tidiest method is to use the cut-off portion as a template to reproduce the same cam lock holes in the correct positions. The right sized drill bits and a  Forstner bit should do the trick. A Forstner bit will drill a flat-bottomed hole (...
Post a Comment
Read more