Expanding closet opening to its fullest

closetdemolitionframing

I have a closet in my kitchen that currently acts as our pantry.
It looks like any standard closet with two sliding doors and shelves on the interior.
It has a header above it for two sliding doors and the sides come in about 10 inches. 

    _________________
    |               |
    |               |
    |__           __|  Top view 
     ^             ^

I am wondering if it is feasible to cut out the header and side walls (where the ^ is) in order to maximize the space it takes up. Then insert a set of cabinets up top, a counter in the middle and then a set of drawers and cabinets beneath the counter.

The house is a colonial built in 1981 and I would verify this closet has no load bearing purpose before I did anything. We are identifying ways to improve storage and use in our kitchen and I am hoping this would be a feasible option.

Is this crazy town to consider this? Or a common overhaul? What sort of issues might I face in doing something like this?

Best Answer

How easy this project is, will depend on the underlying framing. There's two ways these corners could have been framed.

Side walls to the end

This will make what you want to do fairly easy.

Side walls to the end
Top down view of the framing

End walls to the side

This is the more likely of the two. Which means you'll either have to build out the corner, or lose 3 1/2" (+drywall thickness) in closet depth. Though I guess you're not really losing anything, from the interior dimensions of the original closet.

End walls to the side
Top down view of the framing

Aside from that. As long as the closet is not bearing, it shouldn't be too much work.

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