Repurposing a $6.99 thrift store side table...

I'm hoping to document and post this to the Oddball Badge Bit after the completion of this project,  starting to document the journey:

The PROBLEM:    

I downsized my refrigerator to a very small, energy efficient fridge/freezer.   It's wonderful,  with one exception.   It's VERY short.   The top of the fridge door section comes just above my waist, and I'm not tall.   It's a lower back strain to use the fridge, so,  my fridge needs a RISER.  

I thought about building something but also started watching thrift stores for something the right size.   I found a side table that had been marked down for three weeks  (if something doesn't sell, they mark it down 50% weekly).   It was ugly, strong, and the right size.   And $6.99.  

After getting it home and measuring,  I realized it was a fewer inches taller than ideal, but the bottom stand portion was easily removed.

I saved the screws (I always save useable hardware),  counter-sunk the few screws in the bottom of the unit to not scratch the floor later,  cleaned off the braces and wood glue, and then sealed the bottom with quick dry poly .  I have all the tools and materials used for this project already, nothing aside from the piece itself was purchased just for this.

Well, now for the boring part,   cleaning it all up.   Mild vinegar-water and some repurposed towel scrap cloths.

The paint that I'm using is meant for floor and cabinet surfaces, and other difficult surfaces, so no priming or sanding needed which speeds things up a good deal.  

Looks like it belonged to a smoker in the past,  yellow nicotine coming off.    Not too bad though,  the thrift store had done a quick clean.

Then removed those worn brassy handles and sprayed them silver to match my kitchen hardware (left over paint from doing all the kitchen cabinet hardware previously, so it will match exactly if only in color).   Better and more resource saving than buying all new.

The FUN part,  the first coat of paint is when you really start to see the vision of the final product.

To save paint,  I won't be painting the backside of the unit,  the inside of the cabinets, or the underside of the shelves themselves.   Only the visible surfaces once installed.   I debated leaving the top the "wood" finish, but ultimately decided that would be too obvious and detract from the project.

This quart of paint did ALL my lower kitchen cabinets with just half of the can,  plenty left for more "matching" kitchen projects.  

The first coat showed up some small holes in the doors,  after the paint dried, those were filled and smoothed.  

That catches us up to the end of the first day on this unit!     Still to come,  2nd coat of paint,  handles reinstalled, sealing, and the INSTALL!

Researching savings,  this is from the walmart website.  

Heather Staas wrote:The FUN part,  the first coat of paint is when you really start to see the vision of the final product.

To save paint,  I won't be painting the backside of the unit,  the inside of the cabinets, or the underside of the shelves themselves.   Only the visible surfaces once installed.   I debated leaving the top the "wood" finish, but ultimately decided that would be too obvious and detract from the project.

This quart of paint did ALL my lower kitchen cabinets with just half of the can,  plenty left for more "matching" kitchen projects.  

The first coat showed up some small holes in the doors,  after the paint dried, those were filled and smoothed.  

That catches us up to the end of the first day on this unit!     Still to come,  2nd coat of paint,  handles reinstalled, sealing, and the INSTALL!

Nice!  And it has storage!  Do you have pictures of your other cabinets?  

Here's a pic of the kitchen space :)   Lower cabinets painted with the same paint(s):

You can sort of see how the top of the fridge door is practically the same height as my countertops, although it does trick the eye into thinking the space is bigger, some sort of forced perspective lol.

Heather Staas wrote:Here's a pic of the kitchen space :)   Lower cabinets painted with the same paint(s):

You can sort of see how the top of the fridge door is practically the same height as my countertops, although it does trick the eye into thinking the space is bigger, some sort of forced perspective lol.

That's a lovely gray on your lower cabinets.  It looks like the stand will really help make your kitchen work better - congrats!

One of the ways I conserve water resources during a project like this,  is avoiding unnecessary clean ups.

In between coats,  rollers and brushes can be wrapped and stored in the fridge to prevent paint hardening, without cleaning.

For stirrers and paint pans,  I simply let them dry between uses.   After several uses for latex especially,  the dry paint will peel cleanly out of the pan and can be disposed of.  

I only use water to clean brushes at the very end of a project.  

Second nice coat of paint finished,  and then one coat of poly.    I would prefer a satin finish, but what I have on hand is a semi-gloss, so that is what I used.   I always try to find ways to use up whatever paints and finishes I have,  rather than buying new or needing to dispose of product,  whenever possible.  

I really like how this came out,  although I don't love the decorative indents on the doors.   Apparently I have no wood fill on hand though, so they stay for now.   I'm going to rummage through all my supplies at work though,  I really thought I had some still.    If I find it,  I'll come back and fill them and touch up the spots.  

This coat was slower and needed my reading glasses to make sure I didn't miss spots,  to cut in more cleanly,  didn't drip.  

SO,  here we are with second coat of paint, sealed,  and hardware reinstalled:

One side by side before and after:  

So,  we've come to the end, and the install.  It took a few weeks;  I've had home-boarding dogs and then needed to recruit help to lift the fridge.   Took the time to get the fridge extra clean, and the floor where the placement will be.  

Then,  I moved it and put the fridge on it, and I HATED it.    It looked terrible (to me) and I was convinced I was never going to show after pictures or share it completed lol.    Well,  I decided to give it a few days and I IMMEDIATELY LOVED the new fridge access.   Everything was exactly the right height for me, no bending, straining, no having the view of the top shelf blocked by the freezer,  etc.   It was perfect as far as function.    I decided I could live with how weird it looked, like a giant awkward tower.   Then, the appearance started to grow on me.   It's not what I was envisioning but I don't hate it now.   So...    I can show you after all:  

Function is always important to me too. We got a fridge with the freezer at the bottom because it was recommended, but in use, I find it a nuisance. I was thinking the other day that if it wasn't for the cupboard above it, I would do exactly what you've done and find a way to rise it up.

I'm really glad it's grown on you, but two ideas for you to consider:
1. Have you looked at it rotated 90 degrees so you see the little cupboard door with a visually smaller open shelf beside it?
2. What about using scrap wood to make a series of boxes to fit the shelves - 2 for the top shelf and 2 for the bottom - which would visually make it look more like a solid front than the fridge being up on stilts? (assuming you still have some paint left to make the boxes match?)

I think it's a great solution for saving your back, and I think you've done a great job!

Thanks Jay,  I like those ideas.   I may actually have something to use on the shelves if i search around my house and shed..  baskets or storage bins or something..  hmmm.    It may not even have to be the same color to give a more "solid" appearance.    You have me thinking...  

Jay Angler wrote:2. What about using scrap wood to make a series of boxes to fit the shelves - 2 for the top shelf and 2 for the bottom - which would visually make it look more like a solid front than the fridge being up on stilts? (assuming you still have some paint left to make the boxes match?)

Might you have a can of orange or green paint that matches the curtains? Should you go with the boxes for those shelves, a little "pop" of colour can go a long way.

Heather Staas wrote: I may actually have something to use on the shelves if i search around my house and shed..  baskets or storage bins or something..  hmmm.    It may not even have to be the same color to give a more "solid" appearance.    You have me thinking...  

What about the same white as the fridge? It might trick the mind into thinking "it's just a taller fridge"?