How to Recycle Your Kitchen Cabinets
Check out these creative, environmentally friendly alternatives to tossing your cabinets in the dumpster
This story is part of a series on recycling your kitchen.
Kitchen renovations are widely popular, and they’re also often the largest, most expensive remodeling projects you’ll tackle in your home. Unfortunately, the process typically produces a large amount of waste. What do we do with all that stuff — the cabinets, the counters, the appliances and everything in between — once we’re ready to knock them out in place of something newer, prettier or more efficient?
I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve had many a dumpster in many a driveway — both for my own kitchen renovations and those of clients — and I’ve thrown out a lot of stuff that was just not salvageable. But over the years I’ve gotten more meticulous about recycling whatever I can from a kitchen. Here are some ideas for what to do with the largest potentially wasted item in a kitchen renovation: the cabinets.
Kitchen renovations are widely popular, and they’re also often the largest, most expensive remodeling projects you’ll tackle in your home. Unfortunately, the process typically produces a large amount of waste. What do we do with all that stuff — the cabinets, the counters, the appliances and everything in between — once we’re ready to knock them out in place of something newer, prettier or more efficient?
I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve had many a dumpster in many a driveway — both for my own kitchen renovations and those of clients — and I’ve thrown out a lot of stuff that was just not salvageable. But over the years I’ve gotten more meticulous about recycling whatever I can from a kitchen. Here are some ideas for what to do with the largest potentially wasted item in a kitchen renovation: the cabinets.
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Option 2: Sell Your Cabinets
There’s a huge market for salvaged kitchens. I know this very well because I am a consumer of them. On occasion, I’ve personally removed a kitchen from the home of someone selling their cabinets prior to their own renovation. So don’t make the mistake of thinking no one would want the cabinets you’ve tired of.
Online markets such as Craigslist may have a whole section devoted to recycled building materials. Have a look at the competition, and price your cabinets accordingly. Expect folks to show up with cash and tools, willing to take your cabinets off your hands. Of course, you’ll want to confirm the plan before your buyers arrive.
I’ve created new kitchens with salvaged cabinetry by reinstalling them in a new space, painting them and adding new hardware and counters. This can be a great way to squeeze a little bit of extra cash out of your remodeling budget — which you can then put into your new kitchen. Talk to your kitchen designer about this option.
There’s a huge market for salvaged kitchens. I know this very well because I am a consumer of them. On occasion, I’ve personally removed a kitchen from the home of someone selling their cabinets prior to their own renovation. So don’t make the mistake of thinking no one would want the cabinets you’ve tired of.
Online markets such as Craigslist may have a whole section devoted to recycled building materials. Have a look at the competition, and price your cabinets accordingly. Expect folks to show up with cash and tools, willing to take your cabinets off your hands. Of course, you’ll want to confirm the plan before your buyers arrive.
I’ve created new kitchens with salvaged cabinetry by reinstalling them in a new space, painting them and adding new hardware and counters. This can be a great way to squeeze a little bit of extra cash out of your remodeling budget — which you can then put into your new kitchen. Talk to your kitchen designer about this option.
Option 3: Repurpose Your Cabinets
If you have a large kitchen with a lot of cabinets, you may be able to find a useful spot for them elsewhere in your home. Consider the following ways to use your old cabinets to augment your storage capacity. And enjoy saving money since — thanks to your clever reusing — you won’t have to purchase storage bins.
1. Create basement storage. Installing some of your leftover kitchen cabinetry in your basement is a great way to add extra storage. Consider painting them or adding trim to make them look built-in.
If you have a large kitchen with a lot of cabinets, you may be able to find a useful spot for them elsewhere in your home. Consider the following ways to use your old cabinets to augment your storage capacity. And enjoy saving money since — thanks to your clever reusing — you won’t have to purchase storage bins.
1. Create basement storage. Installing some of your leftover kitchen cabinetry in your basement is a great way to add extra storage. Consider painting them or adding trim to make them look built-in.
2. Build a desk. Find a nook in your house and use some of your leftover cabinetry to create a built-in office area. With a fresh coat of paint, and perhaps some additional open shelving, you could emulate a setup like the one in this photo. For a very low cost, you’ve got yourself a quality workspace.
3. Surround the TV with storage. Custom built-in cabinetry can get pretty pricey, so you can instead reuse your old cabinets to imitate the aesthetic of the TV cabinetry in this photo. Again, paint is a great way to give them an updated look. Your old kitchen cabinets can get new life storing audiovisual components, games and puzzles.
4. Make space for bath essentials. If vanity storage is nearing its max, try hanging some of your leftover cabinet uppers in the bathroom. This is a great way to increase bathroom storage.
5. Add bedroom built-ins. When you’re considering ways to repurpose your cabinets, I’ll bet you wouldn’t think of putting them in your bedroom. But this photo shows how you could cleverly use them as a place to stash your stuff. These drawers would be great for shoes, accessories or linens, augmenting whatever closet storage you already have.
6. Beef up the laundry room. For many people, the laundry room or mudroom acts as a secondary kitchen space. It’s a perfect hideaway for extra food and pantry items, pet supplies or extra dishes and serving pieces. You can repurpose much of your existing kitchen cabinets as laundry room storage. Add an inexpensive laminate or butcher block countertop from a big box store and the room will look great — and most important, be really functional.
More on Houzz
9 Ways to Save Money on Kitchen Cabinets
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More on Houzz
9 Ways to Save Money on Kitchen Cabinets
Browse kitchen design ideas
Find a pro
Shop for products
Option 1: Donate Your Cabinets
Many places accept used cabinetry for charity, with Habitat for Humanity and Goodwill being a couple of the more obvious examples. Habitat for Humanity will take your old kitchen cabinets with or without the countertops. Their volunteers will come to your house, dismantle your kitchen in a clean and professional manner, and issue you a tax receipt for the estimated amount your kitchen will be worth when they sell it. Donating is environmentally friendly and benefits your local community — what’s not to like?