I put it in the dining room, because that corner needed a larger piece of furniture and my daughter Courtney need a place for her computer. However, she moved her computer up to her room, so now I have a great space to store "stuff"!!
Our dining room is off the kitchen and is really not formal at all, so this cabinet can be used for just about anything at all.
Come in and see what I did…
I thought the best thing to store in here is all the beverages we drink or serve to friends and family. Cans and bottles can really steal space from your refrigerator and pantry.
I used a small college dorm refrigerator to keep things cold and the shelves for storing the cases of water bottles and cans of soda and iced tea.
The top shelf, where the computer screen would be, holds the refrigerator and cases of water.
The pull out key board tray holds napkins for dinner.
It's the perfect spot in the room for easy access during dinner and saves space in my refrigerator for food!
The key to thrift store shopping, getting furniture from family or friends or even buying new from stores is to "think outside the box".
Don't always use the piece of furniture for it's original purpose. If you think outside the box, your options are endless!!
Update…there were a few questions about ventilation for the refrigerator in a closed cabinet. The cabinet is originally a computer desk, so there were pre-cut holes already in the back for air flow for the computer, but I did make those holes larger and closer to the back of the refrigerator. The shelf and area the refrigerator is on is much larger than the refrigerator, so the flow of air is great. We haven't had any issues. If your space is tight around the sides of your refrigerator, please vent more in the back.
Thanks for stopping by,
~Karen~
What a clever idea!
ReplyDeleteLove it, now I wish I had a corner to use something like this in. Great idea
ReplyDeleteLove it!
ReplyDeleteGreat! I love it.
ReplyDeleteNice idea, like how nice it looks in the room and functional.
ReplyDeleteDebbie
That is so cool! Creative!!!! And looks fantastic!!!!
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love this!
ReplyDeleteI love this idea!!!
ReplyDeleteThat is such a useful idea. The cabinet looks great and the surprise is the inside that holds something totally unexpected.
ReplyDeleteJoy
A great idea, brilliant in fact. It's so much more satisfying being thrifty and recycling old furniture etc for other uses isn't it :)
ReplyDeleteWow...that turned out great. Really nice looking piece.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea Karen. I have a computer armoire that is no longer needed for it's original purpose. I'll have to think 'outside the box' for another use.
ReplyDeleteWOW! What a great idea …!!
ReplyDeleteThis is great for grabbing something to drink. Also it is extra special because it fits the small fridge perfectly. And, having followed your blog for a awhile I wouldn't be surprised to see it turned into another useful piece of furniture in your home somewhere else in the distant future ;)
ReplyDeleteThis is fantastic! Such a great space saver and it looks really good!
ReplyDeleteThat looks great! Love that this can store so much :)
ReplyDeleteZoe
http://thatszoe.blogspot.com
You are AMAZING!!! Love this!!
ReplyDeleteDo you want to come decorate my house? Yours always looks so nice and inviting.
ReplyDeleteA very good idea. I agree with 'thinking outside the box', especially when it comes to thrift shopping. I just bought a pot/utensil hanger for the kitchen that I intend to use in the garden.
ReplyDeleteAndrea
very nice
ReplyDeleteThat is a great idea - very clever! I am not so good at thinking outside the box, but I'm great at finding people with great ideas! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteVery creative! It looks perfect there!
ReplyDeleteVal
Hallo , i am liesbet for' antwerp Belguim. I love your interieur but i have na ode questionn the dining chadors to they have a name and where die you buy the' love them love your blog and pinterest
ReplyDeleteLittle misstaken i see i come from Antwerp
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! :) It looks great and is so useful!
ReplyDeleteMarti
Very Clever and Creative and it's attractive to boot! :)
ReplyDeleteAnother classic and practical piece added to your unique collection Karen. I am wondering when we are going to see you with your own spot on TV??!!
ReplyDeleteI think that's the best repurposing of something I've ever seen !
ReplyDeleteWhat an absolutely fabulous idea!!!
ReplyDeleteTHIRTY dollars?! I'd say that was the deal of the day. And how awesome that the little fridge fits in there. Perfect!
ReplyDeleteKaren, leave it to you to come up with another awesome storage idea! I think I might try and reproduce it since I have the same problem with too many drinks in the fridge!
ReplyDeleteI was wondering if the frig puts off much heat? Was there already a hole for wiring? Was that also enough for ventilation? I have been looking for one of these types of cabinets but have not run across one yet that I felt was worth what they were asking. My plans were actually to use it for a computer cabinet but I really like your idea. I never have enough space in the kitchen for everything especially when we entertain. This would also keep traffic out of the kitchen while preparing food. As already mentioned you have such wonderful storage ideas. Now I just need to put some of them to use.
ReplyDeleteHi Nancy,
DeleteThe cabinet was originally a computer desk, so there were pre-cut holes already in the back for air flow and for all the plugs for the computer, but I did make those holes larger and closer to the back of the refrigerator for better air flow.
How very creative. I just painted (again) a chest that was from hubby's Great Aunt. It has been in the nursery, in the breakfast room and now in our dining room. Will be measuring SOON to see if an itty bitty fridge will fit in the hanging area!
ReplyDeleteI really love this idea and the way it turned out! I can't tell you how many times I have passed by an old computer or RV cabinet while thrifting lately. The next time I do, I am going to check out the price and remember this. Wonderful!
ReplyDeleteAwesome! And can I just add that I LOVE how CLEAN your home always looks? Said by a Mommy of three VERY young boys. (This too shall pass, I KNOW.)
ReplyDeleteGreat repurposing idea! I too am wondering about the heat from the refrigerator...or do you just use it when you have a crowd over and leave the hutch doors open?
ReplyDeleteAnother great idea! I love your blog, I am very new at blogging and find your blog buddy page very helpful! I just linked up to your link party, my first one. I tried grabbing one of your buttons on the side to add to my blog but I could not copy your code? I did however add you to my blog's that I read so folks can get to your blog from there! Thanks for all of your helpful hints!
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteHi,
I like the way you written the post.
You have very nice collections and all the images are very clean to optimize ...
We have best collections of wooden computer tables.
Thanks for sharing such nice post...
Hey. It is a very good post to be commented. Well it seems to be seen that sometimes the computer desk turn into beverage cabinet. If need more help on computers then have a look to..
ReplyDeletecustom pcs
Copying your idea for our game room above our garage. Using an old TV cabinet, because I have some constraints on the height. Had to rally hunt around to find one with doors but finally did. Thanks for the idea. Unfortunately ours wasn't already black but my husband is painting it for me! Thanks for the idea.
ReplyDeleteI love this idea so much. I'm looking now at a pile of drinks, water bottles soda etc just sitting on the dining room floor waiting for space in the fridge or pantry. I have to do this!
ReplyDelete