Need ideas for empty space above kitchen drawers

[Force]

Has anyone come up with something useful to do with the empty space behind this panel?

Too shallow for a drawer, but I was thinking a 4-5" deep shelf might work for things like spices or coffee makes, providing I can figure out how to build and attach such a thing.

[mike837go]

Offhand, I've heard of (and seen somewheres...) a tip-out.

Hinged at the bottom with a latch at the top.

Kinda like the glove box in a cheep car.

[sennister]

We had a custom built vanity installed when we did a bathroom remodel last year. We used these hinges to tilt it out. Rev-a-shelf also had compartments that go on the inside. You would have to create a false drawer front but it is a nice place to store things.

https://www.amazon.com/Rev-Shelf-655.../dp/B001DVP4A6

[oldenuftoknowbetter]

You could use a biscuit joiner to connect whatever type of interior attachment you decide on. Glue and clamp...invisible joint. It looks like you would have enough room to get a biscuit joiner inside the cabinet to make the cut.

[oldenuftoknowbetter]

Originally Posted by sennister

We had a custom built vanity installed when we did a bathroom remodel last year. We used these hinges to tilt it out. Rev-a-shelf also had compartments that go on the inside. You would have to create a false drawer front but it is a nice place to store things.

https://www.amazon.com/Rev-Shelf-655.../dp/B001DVP4A6

You could add a plastic trough and store you dish washing tools.

[NVGun40]

Much like Mike837go describes, I have seen a tip out type of shelf in similar places.

Not much else can go there, after all it's too small to hide the bodies...

[mike837go]

Originally Posted by NVGun40

Much like Mike837go describes, I have seen a tip out type of shelf in similar places.

Not much else can go there, after all it's too small to hide the bodies...

You can't post that kinda stuff when I'm at work!

[mike837go]

With the right millwork, it could be used for a spice rack.

You'd just have to lable the tops of the bottles.

[NVGun40]

Originally Posted by mike837go

You can't post that kinda stuff when I'm at work!

it's true though!

roflmao, why not? I'm at work while I'm posting it...

[bankr63]

That space seems awfully tall for just a sink space. Is it a very deep bowl sink? You might reclaim a ton of space with some slight plumbing mods if most of the space is for the P-trap. I installed an IKEA sink a few months ago that had a sharp 90 fitting directly under the bowl instead of a standard tail piece. This allows them to move the P-trap to the back of the cabinet, behind the drawers.

A similar setup here might reclaim enough space for one more drawer, and then a shallow spice shelf for the top few inches.

You might also consider putting a solid shelf above the current top drawer, and then adding a cabinet door that allows you to store stuff around the plumbing. Our current TT has a regular door with the plumbing hanging down into the space.

[Force]

Tip out, didn't think of that approach, will look into that for sure.

Bankr63, I did look and the sink sits too deep, no way to get a full length drawer in there unfortunately even if I moved the trap etc.

[JFlightRisk]

So, I tend to think about this stuff at night, probably while I should be sleeping, and agree with the spice rack/shallow shelf idea. Remove the cover panel, make a box of 1x something (your choice of wood) extending about an inch or so below the bottom edge of the opening, add a shelf across the middle, add some "galley rail" to the front edge of the shelf, and on top of the bottom edge of the opening. If the blank panel is the right size, you can tack it right back on the rear of the assembly. If not, a piece of luan works. Galley rail can be had at HD (kinda looks like a miniature porch railing) in 4" lengths. Just wanted to throw this out there.

[Force]

Originally Posted by JFlightRisk

So, I tend to think about this stuff at night, probably while I should be sleeping, and agree with the spice rack/shallow shelf idea. Remove the cover panel, make a box of 1x something (your choice of wood) extending about an inch or so below the bottom edge of the opening, add a shelf across the middle, add some "galley rail" to the front edge of the shelf, and on top of the bottom edge of the opening. If the blank panel is the right size, you can tack it right back on the rear of the assembly. If not, a piece of luan works. Galley rail can be had at HD (kinda looks like a miniature porch railing) in 4" lengths. Just wanted to throw this out there.

Thanks JFlightRisk, a box type solution is a good idea, it's attaching it securely that I'm struggling with. It's just a tough spot to get hands and tools into.

I'll take another peek in there after pulling the drawers to see where I might be able to build off of.

It would be easy to screw directly through the front face of the cabinet but I can't see that looking very good.

[TWP723]

I think a nice picture of ME on that shelf would look just swell, don't ya think? LMAO

[sennister]

Originally Posted by Force

Thanks JFlightRisk, a box type solution is a good idea, it's attaching it securely that I'm struggling with. It's just a tough spot to get hands and tools into.

I'll take another peek in there after pulling the drawers to see where I might be able to build off of.

It would be easy to screw directly through the front face of the cabinet but I can't see that looking very good.

Depending on how motivated you get, it isn't that hard to pull out a sink and reseal it when you are done.

[Force]

Originally Posted by sennister

Depending on how motivated you get, it isn't that hard to pull out a sink and reseal it when you are done.

Agreed except that this sink was installed underneath the counter top, not a drop in so I'd have to do some serious surgery.

[Force]

Originally Posted by TWP723

I think a nice picture of ME on that shelf would look just swell, don't ya think? LMAO

You have to think bigger...I have all sorts of free space to put a picture on

http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f3...ons-45160.html

[sennister]

Originally Posted by Force

Agreed except that this sink was installed underneath the counter top, not a drop in so I'd have to do some serious surgery.

Ahh. I think ours is above the counter. So yeah a bit more work.

[NorthPoint5r]

spice rack

[DMRGMC]

Originally Posted by JFlightRisk

So, I tend to think about this stuff at night, probably while I should be sleeping, and agree with the spice rack/shallow shelf idea. Remove the cover panel, make a box of 1x something (your choice of wood) extending about an inch or so below the bottom edge of the opening, add a shelf across the middle, add some "galley rail" to the front edge of the shelf, and on top of the bottom edge of the opening. If the blank panel is the right size, you can tack it right back on the rear of the assembly. If not, a piece of luan works. Galley rail can be had at HD (kinda looks like a miniature porch railing) in 4" lengths. Just wanted to throw this out there.

I like jflights input. My add would be use 1/4" ply/ Luan for the carcas to maximize interior space, make it look like a drawer front with the opening cut out of if, having the same dimensions as the other drawer fronts which would leave a trim around all 4 sides of the rectangle. Stain it as close as you can to the rest of the finnish. Last, why secure it in place perminantly, use Velcro on the right side interior or elsewhere, assuming you can get access from the right. That way you can easily remove it for repairs to the sink.