Build a Homemade Kitchen Cupboard with a Sink by Recycling an Antique Sideboard Buffet
Advantages In Recycling Antique Furniture
There are three basic advantages in building a cupboard like this:
1) Price- Have you priced a conventional kitchen cupboard lately? They’re not cheap. If you want to build a homemade cupboard with a sink, but your budget is tight, that’s not a problem. Around this part of the country, I’ve seen antique pieces of furniture that are in excellent condition sell for a thousand dollars or more. But, I’ve also seen furniture from days gone by that’s in poor shape and sells for next to nothing. So, if you can’t find a nicer antique sideboard buffet in your price range, look for one you can fix-up yourself and save loads of cash in the process.
2) Availability- You can find antiques at many places. Just visit garage sales, yard sales, flea markets, estate sales, antique stores, and secondhand/thrift stores to find what you’re looking for. Check the classified ads in newspapers and check for antique furniture that’s for sale. You can even go online and visit web sites like eBay, tias.com and many more to find the sideboard buffet you’re looking for.
3) Uniqueness- Visit your local Home Depot or Lowe’s and choose a kitchen cupboard, and you’re going to have the same cupboard in your kitchen that many other Tom, Dick and Harrys do. Build a homemade kitchen cupboard with a sink by recycling an antique sideboard buffet, and yours will surely be one-a-of-kind!
Plan Your Project Before You Do Anything
Size
Just like with any other do-it-yourself project you’re going to do around your house, planning is the first step. Before you even begin to look for an antique sideboard buffet, you’ll need to take some measurements in your kitchen. The homemade cupboard with a sink that’s pictured is approximately 24 inches wide, 50 inches tall and is 36 inches tall. It fits perfectly in the space, like it was made for it.
Design
You can also tell by looking at the pictures this antique sideboard buffet is designed so it was pretty easy to make a homemade kitchen cupboard out of it. There are two small drawers in the top, a roomy storage space below that, and a wide drawer that runs along the bottom. Only the right top drawer had to be modified in order to make space for the sink. The drain pipe easily fit into the middle storage area. And, holes were drilled into the back of the buffet for the water supply lines. Other than that, the piece was left in its original condition.
Steps to Actually Build A Homemade Kitchen Cupboard With A Sink
1. Once you have acquired a suitable antique sideboard buffet, the next step is to repair and/or refinish it.
2. Next, you’ll need to attach a countertop. Normally, you cut out the holes for the kitchen sink and faucet after the countertop is in place. But, you can also do this beforehand. I installed my kitchen countertops and found the first way to be easiest. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the best results. Remember: the countertop needs to be flush with the back wall.
Once it’s set in place, you’ll need to install the sink, faucet, water supply lines and the drain pipe. Again, in order to achieve the best results, be sure you follow the manufacturers’ instructions.
As I mentioned earlier, you’ll need to cut out holes in the back of the antique sideboard buffet for the drain and water supply lines to run through.
3. Finally, as with this antique sideboard buffet that was recycled and built into a homemade kitchen cupboard, you may need to modify the original piece. The top right drawer had to be altered so they sink would fit. The side rails were left in place so the drawer can still slide open and closed, and be used. However, the middle of the drawer was cut out and reduced drastically.
I want to add too, that a splashguard was glued to the wall surrounding this homemade kitchen cupboard with a sink.
Conclusion
I want to add that, if you’re unsure of your carpentry or plumbing skills, just ask a friend or family member to help you with this project. It’s really not difficult to do, but the results are stunning!
