How To Repurpose Old Kitchen Cabinets Into A Reliable Garage Storage Solution

For many people, the garage needs to be a multi-purpose space: a combination of workshop, tool storage, and home for all those things that can't be thrown away because they will (maybe) come in handy someday. If organizing that area properly is one of your priorities, then there are plenty of DIY projects to maximize its potential. One of the most versatile, as suggested by the YouTube Channel The Hill Project, is repurposing old kitchen cabinets. It sounds like a great idea, but is it just a question of stacking them against a wall, or are there things you need to sort out before they become a reliable garage storage solution? Let's take a closer look.

Converting old kitchen cabinets into garage storage is fairly straightforward. You may need to source cabinets that will suit your space. Depending on the cabinets' condition and aesthetic, you can replace hardware like knobs and hinges, reinforce the units to hold extra-heavy items, or paint or stain them to freshen them up. You may be able to skip one or more of these steps, depending on your needs.

Old cabinets can make ideal garage storage, and they can be sourced from a number of places. Maybe you've been stuck with an outdated kitchen, and those units now get a second life, or perhaps you know somebody who is remodeling and needs to get rid of their old cabinetry. Once your cabinets are ready for conversion, experiment with arranging them. You may have your own plans, but there are also some great garage makeover ideas that could inspire you.

Check the existing hardware; some of the hinges, drawer slides, or feet may need to be replaced. If door handles or pulls are missing, you may want to replace them all so they match. If you're planning on staining or painting the cabinets, you'll definitely want to remove all the hardware you can before doing so, and you could take that opportunity to find new hardware that complements your paint or stain.

Kitchen cabinets are built to hold a fair amount of weight, but you can easily reinforce them by adding boards underneath the shelves and attaching them with brads (this is a particularly good idea if you'll be using them to store power tools or other heavy items). You can use 2 by 4-inch boards from your local hardware store and cut them to size. Worn cabinet tops can be replaced (or recessed tops covered up) with sheet material like plywood or particle board. If the original wood is augmented with a lot of additional materials, a coat of paint will give your new units a cohesive look.