How to Remove the Swinging Door in a Kitchen

A swinging kitchen door can be both a bane and a blessing. These doors allow easy access in and out of the kitchen when your hands are full of plates or serving dishes, while hiding the mess and hectic action in the kitchen from the dining area. On the other hand, swinging doors bump people coming in and out, block light and make the kitchen feel enclosed instead of spacious and airy. Removing the door can make a small kitchen feel larger.

Step 1

Locate the door hinge receiving plate on the floor next to the door jamb. It may be a visible metal plate, or it may be covered by flooring material.

Step 2

Pry away the flooring material, if necessary, so that the receiving plate is accessible. Take care not to damage the flooring so that it can be tacked back in place after the door is removed.

Step 3

Remove the screws that are holding the receiving plate to the floor.

Step 4

Swing the bottom of the door outward, including the corner that was previously attached to the floor.

Step 5

Pull the door slowly out and down until the pin at the top of the hinge disengages from the top receiving plate and the door can be removed entirely from the doorway.

Step 6

Unscrew the top receiving plate from the top of the doorjamb.

Step 7

Fill the holes left behind by the screws in the receiving plates with wood putty and let it dry. Sand and touch up with paint that matches the doorjamb.

Step 8

Tack or glue the flooring back into place.