Q: We're at a loss regarding what to do with the large cubby in our kitchen wall. It's pretty deep and tall, so we're thinking we'll use it to store things we don't use very often, like serving dishes and small appliances. It also has a plug inside, so it's a handy spot for the microwave:
We already ditched the bifold mini doors and wood frame. The doors stuck out and made an already narrow space even narrower, and the glass on the doors was broken in several places. So now we're left with a big hole in the wall that houses a lot of stuff.
We've considered covering it with a fabric curtain or a tambor door. We could also just leave it open, maybe paint the inside a different color than the wall color. But this would require us to keep it looking uncluttered - a big challenge for me - as well as frequent dusting (we have two cats).
Any thoughts/suggestions/tips are very much appreciated!
Sent by Jessica
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Comments (7)
I really like the tambor door idea! Just make sure that it's of good quality so it slides up and down easily. Fabric? Well, if you're talking curtains, that would be something you'd have to hold out of the way while attending to whatever's on the shelf. A tambor door, remember, requires lifting before you get to it, so if you realize you want to be as efficient as possible in your kitchen, just paint the inside of the cabinet.
As for putting the microwave there - great idea again... as long as there is enough space around the appliance (whatever the manufacturer suggests). If there isn't enough space, you can always use it for a radio.
What is below the press? Is it a blank wall? Would it not be better to make it bigger and turn it into a larder http://www.shalford.ie/Larders.htm It could become a real feature rather than a nothing space.
Please, please, please cover it with a giant framed painting on hinges that can swing out, hiding it when not needed and adding a super secret storage space as needed!
Come on!
Or you could keep your Gimp there!
It looks like you have plenty of wall space next to it. What about doing a mini "barn door" over it. The outside of the barn door could be chalk paint or have cork on it so that it's useful in the kitchen and when pushed aside, just looks like a board on the wall. Also, this way there's nothing that sticks out when it's open to take up space. I'm sure you could get the hardware for the door and just do a smaller version by yourself with some plywood for cheap. Here are some links to examples and even a tutorial from AT.
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-build-a-sliding-door-fo-139922
http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/99536
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/diy-barn-door-139353
Yes barn doors would be great, even better if you had a horse too.
Why would anyone be "at a loss" about what to do with a cupboard? It's a cupboard. Put stuff in it. Put a curtain on it; don't put a curtain on it. Whatever.
AT has a pretty skewed idea sometimes about what is blog worthy and what isn't. This isn't.