How We Removed a Built-In Fridge Cabinet to Fit a Taller Fridge
Early in our appliance search we realized we needed an unusually small refrigerator to fit the existing opening in our kitchen—yes, we call it the “fridge hole.” After a lot of looking, it became clear that finding a perfectly sized stainless, side-by-side fridge that would slide into that tight space was unlikely. So we decided to remove the built-in box around the old fridge to free up more vertical and lateral space. That would let us cut off the hollow top of the upper cabinet, rehang it higher for a taller fridge, and rebuild the side panels so the new fridge would sit flush and look custom.
Even if we could have found a smaller fridge that fit the opening, the existing built-in side and top would still need to be rebuilt to make everything look intentional. The old fridge stuck out several inches past the side panel and the top hinges were visible—details we didn’t like. The beam that ran into the cabinet looked awkward too, and we suspected some minor beam work would be required. Our plan was flexible: remove the built-in elements, evaluate what we found behind them, and adapt as needed.
We officially started the kitchen demo by removing the cabinet and side panel around the fridge. We weren’t completely gutting the kitchen—we planned to reuse and adapt many of the existing cabinets—but taking this section out was the first step. To be safe, we emptied the fridge cabinet and the adjacent cabinet since we suspected the next one might need to come down too. Our daughter Clara provided moral support by placing her toy pigs on the step stool.
With the cabinets cleared, we rolled the fridge out of its cubby to peek behind it. We discovered a mysterious electrical cord that didn’t appear to lead anywhere (the electrician has been notified). Standing where the fridge usually sat and looking up revealed the cabinet was attached at only the sides and top—not the back—and that the beam ran all the way through the cabinet. It was an important discovery for planning what to keep and what to alter.
We also found an order form tucked away from when the cabinet was installed in November 1982. That made the cabinets nearly as old as we are, and some quick research showed they were QuakerMaid cabinets—well-made and standard-sized for their era. We were relieved: these cabinets were in good shape and worth adapting instead of replacing.
Detaching the fridge cabinet from the next cabinet was straightforward at first—we found long screws connecting the two and removed them. We expected the cabinet to drop once those were out, so John held it from below. But the cabinet didn’t budge. After looking more closely we realized a floor-to-ceiling side panel on the left was keeping the entire unit supported. The panel was flush on all sides with no visible screws, so instead of prying it off and risking damage, we used a jigsaw to make clean cuts and preserve as much of the panel as possible for future use.
Before cutting, we reinserted the three long screws into the adjacent cabinet to prevent any shifting. That worked perfectly. John and I took turns making the cuts with the jigsaw, and the side panel swung free. Then we removed the supporting screws while John stood underneath to control the descent. Our daughter slept through the whole thing despite the noise—one of the small miracles of parenthood.
Removing the cabinet showed the beam truly did pass through the cabinet space, confirming our decision not to extend the altered cabinets all the way to the ceiling. While ceiling-height cabinets can add storage and visual height, cutting into the beam wasn’t an option. The beam covers a patched ceiling seam where two former rooms met, so it has to remain intact. Also, other built-ins in the room aren’t ceiling height, and keeping consistent cabinet heights will balance the overall look.
Our plan now is to raise the upper cabinet slightly, rebuild the sides to the new depth so the fridge sits flush, add trim to the tops of all cabinets for a finished look, and paint everything to create a cohesive finish. We love the look of cabinets that finish cleanly at the top with trim, but we’ll stop short of cutting the beam. Once painted, the adjusted cabinetry should restore balance to the room.
Right now the space looks a bit unfinished—an exposed wire, some raw wood, and the good news: room for a taller fridge. The cabinet surgery gave us breathing room for more appliance options and the flexibility to choose a refrigerator that fits without awkward overhangs or exposed hinges.
As we considered the new, taller fridge, we also discussed relocating it entirely so it wouldn’t feel crammed in the corner. That would require more drilling, lifting, and work than we wanted to tackle that day—so we postponed the move for another session. We’ll share photos and updates as the project continues and the cabinets get rebuilt, trimmed, and painted.
Note: the old cabinet order form we found is an artifact from the original cabinet maker and not our address. We’re keeping the salvageable pieces and planning to reuse them where possible.
P.S. We stumbled across an inspiring play-kitchen conversion recently—such creative upcycling, perfect for anyone repurposing furniture into something new and delightful.