Awkward Cupboard Advice

[Albannach]

We're currently re-decorating our livingroom and have a stupidly awkward cupboard in one corner. It has the electricity meter and fuse box in it, so can't be left open and made into an alcove. The meter is at the top, so we can't shelve the top and have doors at the bottom. I think doors at the top with shelves below would look daft.

Anyway, do any of you have any tips or ideas on what we can do with it? Leaving it as-is isn't an option.

[Maverick]

Any chance of a distance shot, to get perspective?

[childishlysimple]

What do you want to get out of the space?

Can you get the wiring done tidily and the boxes moved around a bit to make it neater/less obtrusive? Would they fit on the left hand inner wall?

You could maybe then have shelves on top but not full depth, with an access panel behind, if that makes sense....

Or you could change the current door for a smooth one painted to match the wall and remove the architrave around the opening to make it into a more secret door.

[dazandcaz]

Fit a door at the top to cover the meter etc, then install a beer fridge in the bottom!

[biosurf]

Without knowing the layout of the room and your taste (other than for glam rock make-up! ) it's tricky but you could get a mirror to fit and have that as the door? Or you could basically plaster it but leave it hinged so it's unnoticable unless you know its there (sure theres stuff on Google if you search for 'hidden cabinet' or something similar.

[Albannach]

There is room to move the wiring on to the left side of the cupboard, I had thought about that. Unfortunately this is a council house and I'm not sure how they would view me having it moved. A hidden door is what I'm thinking may be the best option.

Shirley said no to the beer fridge.

The full wall for perspective. We are thinking about building the wall out a few inches so that we can recess the TV and a new fire.

The distance from the left of the door to the right hand edge of the chimney breast is 9 Feet 3 inches.

[HONEST AL]

Awkward cupboard space

Andy,from the looks of it there is enough "spare cable" for you to move both the fuse box and the meter onto the left hand wall,with a bit of jer jer jiggling you may be able to mount them side by side,slightly up towards the top of the door frame out of the way.Both can still be easily seen and read as and when needed.If you removed the big fuse from the main board,both of the boxs are not live and you could do the job yourself,but for obvious reasons it can be dangerous.The leccy board are not keen on this and they like to install new fuses and seal wire themselves. The brown/black box with the red tail could possibly be moved to the left as well,I am led to believe only the leccy board can move this,due to the cable entry point.This then would give you an almost obstruction free space for an even bigger fridge,Alan

P.S. if you hinged the door from the other side(no not the dark side) it would appear as if you had more room

[blackpoolsparks]

I can see at least two non compliances with the electrics

Box them in separately

[blackpoolsparks]

andy,from the looks of it there is enough "spare cable" for you to move both the fuse box and the meter onto the left hand wall,with a bit of jer jer jiggling you may be able to mount them side by side,slightly up towards the top of the door frame out of the way.both can still be easily seen and read as and when needed.if you removed the big fuse from the main board,both of the boxs are not live and you could do the job yourself,but for obvious reasons it can be dangerous.the leccy board are not keen on this and they like to install new fuses and seal wire themselves. The brown/black box with the red tail could possibly be moved to the left as well,i am led to believe only the leccy board can move this,due to the cable entry point.this then would give you an almost obstruction free space for an even bigger fridge,alan

do not move anything
anything before the tails is not yours and is illegal to tamper with

[biosurf]

I thought there was legislation that means that you are not allowed to touch anything fuse box related these days?

If its the case it would at least invalidate your house insurance.


Stand to be corrected though.

[blackpoolsparks]

I thought there was legislation that means that you are not allowed to touch anything fuse box related these days?

If its the case it would at least invalidate your house insurance.


Stand to be corrected though.

You are correct- ish
But your advise is valid

[Albannach]

I can see at least two non compliances with the electrics

What are they?

[Albannach]

do not move anything
anything before the tails is not yours and is illegal to tamper with

I wouldn't move anything myself, moving the electrics is not high on my list of things to do to get round this stupid cupboard!

[Albannach]

P.S. if you hinged the door from the other side(no not the dark side) it would appear as if you had more room

Whatever happens, if there's a door involved, it'll hinge from the left.

[blackpoolsparks]

What are they?

Nothing too bad
1. Mechanical protection of the cables, that's why I suggested boxing them in seperately
2. Cable support
3. I can't be sure, but it doesn't appear you have main equipotential bonding to gas/ water mains