Drawer Kits for Kitchen Cabinets - Storage Solutions

Dealing with cluttered, disorganized kitchen cabinets filled with pots, pans, and food storage containers? Installing drawer kits is an affordable and easy way to maximize your existing cabinet space for optimal storage and accessibility.

Drawer kits are self-contained units that transform standard kitchen base cabinets into smooth-gliding pull-out drawers. This provides an elegant storage solution that streamlines your cooking essentials while eliminating the need for a complete cabinet overhaul.

Maximize Accessibility with Drawer Kits

Standard cabinet doors make items in the back difficult to reach, resulting in wasted space. Drawer kits allow you to fully utilize the entire depth of your cabinets with easy access.

Pulling out drawers is easier than fumbling around on deep shelves. This is especially helpful for those hard-to-reach base corner cabinets. No more straining your wrist to grab that stock pot!

Keep Items Organized

Pots, pans, and lids stuffed in cabinets turn into a jumbled mess. With drawer kits, everything has a designated space. You can neatly group like items and customize the layout. This makes cooking prep faster when you can grab what you need quickly.

Enhance Cabinet Aesthetics

Dated cabinets get a modern facelift with drawer kits featuring sleek fronts and handles. The smooth glide action also provides a luxury feel. Mix and match drawer front styles to create a custom look.

Flexible Storage Options

Drawer kits come in various sizes and configurations to suit different storage needs. Opt for wide, shallow drawers for large platters and cutting boards. Deep drawers neatly corral pots and food containers. You can even add customized dividers.

Assess Your Kitchen Layout

When deciding where to install your drawer kits, carefully evaluate your kitchen layout. Measure cabinet dimensions to ensure the kits will fit properly. Inspect cabinet boxes for levelness and structural integrity.

Maximize Functionality

Determine which cabinets get used most frequently. Placing kits in these high-traffic areas creates usable space right where you need it. Just be sure to avoid appliances that can obstruct operation.

Enhance Workflow

Locate kits near related tasks to improve efficiency. For example, position pans and lids near the stove for easy access while cooking. Place utensils near prep areas for efficient meal assembly.

Optimize Corner Cabinets

Don't let tricky corner cabinets go to waste. Swapping doors for drawer kits fully utilizes the space. Just be sure to allow clearance for any hinges or handles on adjacent cabinets.

Selecting Quality Drawer Kits

When shopping for drawer kits, choose solid wood boxes with durable finishes that withstand moisture and cleaning. Soft-close slides prevent slamming. For a custom look, choose kits with unfinished fronts that you can stain or paint to match existing cabinets.

Match Your Cabinet Size

Carefully measure cabinet openings to determine the proper kit size. Standard cabinet heights include 30" and 36". Widths range from 15" to 36". Drawer kits come in set dimensions to fit common cabinet configurations.

Complement Your Style

From shaker to contemporary, select a drawer front design aligned with your cabinetry style. Or create visual interest by mixing and matching. For example, combine recessed panel fronts on lower units with flat slab fronts up top.

Enhance Convenience

Opt for convenient features like soft-closing slides that prevent slamming. Full extension slides provide full access to the entire depth of the drawer. Some kits even include built-in dividers and storage trays.

Prioritize Sturdy Construction

Choose hardwood box frames reinforced with durable joinery. Side-mounted ball bearing slides rated for at least 75 lbs. ensure smooth operation even when loaded. Verify kits are designed to properly fit your cabinet configuration.

Installing Your Drawer Kits

Installing drawer kits involves removing existing shelves and doors, fitting the kits in the cabinet frame, securing slides, and attaching the drawer fronts. Use care when taking measurements and follow instructions precisely for proper operation.

Remove Cabinet Doors and Shelves

Detach doors and remove any shelves from the base cabinet to prep for installation. Use a power drill to remove existing screws. Set doors, shelves, and hardware aside so they can be reinstalled later if needed.

Fasten the Drawer Slides

Attach the slides securely into the side walls using screws provided. Position the slides level and at an equal height on both sides. On most frames, slides attach behind the face frame rails. Follow specific kit instructions.

Insert the Drawer Box

Slide the drawer box into the cabinet frame on the ready-installed drawer slides. Use care not to force the box and damage the slide system. The drawer should glide smoothly once aligned properly on both sides.

Attach the Drawer Front

Screw pre-drilled drawer fronts into place atop the drawer box. Position fronts evenly spaced for optimal alignment with cabinet fronts above and below. Some adjustment is expected during fine tuning.

Organizing Your New Drawers

Stock your freshly installed kitchen drawer kits with cooking items. Edit and group items into designated drawers. Add dividers, trays, and other accessories to keep everything neatly organized.

Group Like Items

Designate shallow upper drawers for flat items like cutting boards, cookie sheets, and lids. Lower deep drawers are ideal for pots and food containers. Keep items orderly by grouping like things together.

Incorporate Dividers

Add adjustable dividers to neatly separate items within the drawer. Choose mesh, wire, or solid dividers based on the items being corralled. Even handmade cardboard dividers will do the trick on a budget.

Utilize Trays and Inserts

Trays or inserts customize drawers for specialized items. Silverware trays, knife blocks, and spice racks keep these items sorted. Long, narrow cutlery inserts are perfect for cramming into skinny spaces beside the range or fridge.

Label Drawers

Use labels, chalkboard tape, or vinyl lettering to identify each drawer's contents. This eliminates the need to open every drawer while cooking to find what you need. Match the labeling style to your kitchen's aesthetics.

Alternative Storage Solutions

In addition to drawer kits, other storage solutions maximize your existing kitchen's capabilities. Lazy susans, pull-out organizers, racks, and other accessories cater to awkward or bulky items.

Lazy Susans

Lazy susans rotate inside corner cabinets, making items easily accessible. Great for blind corner cabinets, they also accommodate oddly shaped cookware. Choose smooth ball bearing models that spin easily when loaded.

Pull-Out Organizers

Mounted on full extension slides, these pull-out trays provide organized storage for canned goods, spices, or baking pans inside existing cabinets. Customize trays with adjustable dividers.

Under Cabinet Racks

Racks mounted underneath wall cabinets hold small appliances or kitchen tools. Great for bulky items like stand mixers and blenders that hog counter space. Just be cautious of headroom.

Door Storage

Cabinet door racks utilize the backside of doors to hold foil, cutting boards, pot lids, and other slim items. Great for skinny spaces between cabinets over the fridge, range or sink.

Care and Maintenance

Just like your cabinets, drawer kits require simple periodic maintenance to keep everything functioning smoothly for years to come.

Wipe debris from slides using a soft cloth and mild cleaner. Lubricate side-mounted slides with silicone spray if they become sticky. Ensure drawers glide smoothly from end to end.