Stock Kitchen Cabinets Into Dining Room Buffet

5 Materials
$350
2 Days
Easy

For the eight years I we have lived in our home I have wanted some sort of buffet piece in our dining room. The only problem was it had to a narrow piece because of the minimal space, and we also had a baseboard electric heater on that wall.

After years of using shelves to fill the space, I wanted my buffet. So after talking to my husband and others I decided to remove the electric baseboard heater. We have never once turned it on to use, since we heat our home with our wood stove so it was an easy decision. Once it was removed my options opened up a little more, but it still had to be narrow.


That’s when I decided to build my own out of stock upper kitchen cabinets. They are only 12″ deep and basically built for me so I knew it would be an easy project.

I also used upper cabinets in our built ins at our cottage as well as other parts of our home. So I had an idea of what I was going to do.


Create a base out of 2×4 the length you need to have the cabinet sit on them flush. See picture. Screw the base into the studs on the wall. I did remove the moulding on the wall to create a built in look.

Place cabinets on top of base, make sure they are level and flush. Screw them together using cabinet screws through the cabinet frames.

Screw the back of the cabinets into the studs into the wall.


Once secure, cut the 1×4 to length for the front and side trim pieces. I used a beveled edge for the corners. You can absolutely use a butt joint as well. I like the way a beveled corner looks.

Attach the 1x4s to the 2×4 base with your nail gun (or pre drill pilot holes and use a hammer and finishing nails).

For the top of the Buffet I used an Glue Edge Panel it was 16″ deep and 8′ long. I did rip the board down on my table saw so it was only 12.5″ and not hanging over the top to far.


I stained the wood top in a combination of stains to get the natural bleached wood look.

I am obsessed with how this turned out and I should have done it years ago! This is a very easy beginner build and can be built in 1-2 days.


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Tara Boettger
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  • Tracy Tracy on Jan 19, 2023

    what color paint did you use ?

  • Carolina's Art Carolina's Art on Jan 19, 2023

    Tara, I love how it turned out. I would have stained the top like the table though, but that's just me. Question: Did you make the table and if you did, do you have instructions for it? I love the legs!!!!

  • Margaret Mestas Cordova Margaret Mestas Cordova on Jan 27, 2023

    Did you buy new cupboards then paint them? I have a small dining room and need more cupboard space so I will definitely try this! I am not handy but my husband is. This is the best project I have ever seen on home ideas ever on this page. Absolutely wonderful!

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  • Sta32649132 Sta32649132 on Jan 31, 2023

    What an awesome idea and it turned out absolutely beautiful! You are very talented. I need more cupboard space desperately and I am excited to try this. I don't think I am as handy as you but I will give it a try. I also have to say that this is the best project that I have seen on here. Great job!

  • Pea6962959 Pea6962959 on Feb 01, 2023

    Great project. Love the idea.

    Sliding cabinet doors would be great too.

    Thanjs!


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