How to Install Sliding Drawer in Kitchen Cabinets?

The perfect kitchen is always a dream. But you can make your dream kitchen by doing some DIY now! However, to make the perfect cabinet, you have to learn how to install sliding drawer in kitchen cabinets without professional help!

Today, we will tell you how you can make your kitchen a better place for cooking and spending good time! Let us know how you get the sliding drawers perfect!

Step by Step Installing Kitchen Cabinet Drawer Slides 

No matter you are using the ball-bearing drawer slides or the soft-close drawer slides, if you do not install it properly, you will never get the perfect kitchen! Let us know how to do it!

Step 1: The Right Measurement

First, get the measurements. You must keep in mind that the shelf will slide past the cabinet hinges and door. And to ensure this, furring out the drawer slides is a must. Work with the cleats in this case. After this, take the measurement of the cleats. Get your hands on the cabinet door and open it. Now, place the drawer slide there.

Keep the inner rail extended in this situation. It is better to keep the door hinge closer. All you have to do here is take the measurement of between the back of the drawer slide and the side of the cabinet. Get your hands son the cleats that have 2-inch height from the plywood and rip them. However, make sure that the length drawer slides and these are equal.

Get the cleats and place them against the two sides of the cabinets. Now, you have to measure the distance between them. While measuring, keep once inch so that you can get the right measurement. The total result you will get is the total weight of the shelf. This includes the frame too.

Step 2: Constructing the Drawer

After you are done with the measurement, keep the cleats away and start building the drawers. First, note down the width of the shelf and subtract 1.5 inches from it. A quick note for you is the depth and the width of the shelf is the same. But subtracting, you will get the shelf-bottom’s dimension.

Search for a circular saw and cut ¾ inches birch plywood from the bottom. Change the circular saw into a hand miter saw and cut the frame. Keep the length 1x3s and cut four pieces. Check the plywood bottom back to front length and make sure that the side pieces are of equal length. However, the back and front pieces will be a little longer than this.

They will be 1.5 inches larger. Now, get the back and side pieces and clamp them. Keep the bottom edges even. Start working with a countersink bit and create pilot holes through the 1x3s. Drill the holes in ever 8-10 inches.

Don’t forget to create two holes at the end of the back pieces to add the sides with them. Take some glue and add the pieces with the bottom part of the drawer. Go for drywall screws of 15/8 inches to secure them. Now, it is time to add the back pieces in the same manner with the sides and the bottom.

Step 3: Front Part of the Drawer

When you have made other parts, you have to look forward to adding the front of the drawer. Get a spade bit and start drilling ¼-inches-deep counterbore holes. Go through the bottom part and the front part’s ends. Just like the back piece, you have to repeat the same thing along with clamping the front part.

After this, drill pilot holes again just like before and remove the clamp. Use drywall screws to screw the front part with the bottom and the sides. When you are done with screwing the front, back and side parts, you have to hide the heads of the screws. Get ½-inch wood buttons and conceal the heads.

Step 4: Paint it

As you are done making the drawer, before you install them in your kitchen cabinet, you must paint them properly. For this, sanding is a must. Get your hands on a 120-grit sandpaper and start sanding the shelf! While sanding, you must remove the sanding dust. For this purpose, use damp rag. Never start this work inside because it will pollute the area.

It is better to take your shelf outside so that you can work without any complication. Make sure you are using protective glasses along with the gloves and mask to protect yourself. Now start applying the coat of spray lacquer. Don’t try to put thick layers, start with applying the thinner ones.

After applying one layer, you have to wait for some time so that the paint can dry. Waiting for 30-45 minutes is enough for this. When you are done waiting, you must start sanding the shelf once again but this time, stick to the 180-grit sandpaper. Use the rug to take off the dust and then settle for the second layer just the way you did it before!

Step 5: Mount the Drawer Slides

Once you are done with the painting, you can move for mounting the slides. First of all, you have to get ready with the drawer slides and remove the sliding-drawer-rail part. Go through each slide and remove it carefully. Now, get your hands on cardboard and cut shims about 1/8-inch. Lay these shims on the floor of your cabinet first.

This will help you sliding the cabinet bottom and prevent from any sort of scraping. After you do it, you have to get the cleats and position one of them against the side of the cabinet. Get the 1 ¼ inch screws and secure the cleat. Now, hold your drawer and place it against the cleats. Make sure it is exactly on top of the shims. After this, go through the second drawer slide and repeat the same procedure.

Step 6: Secure the Slides

It is time to fasten the sides of your shelf. Now you need the sliding rail section that you removed before. Get one of them and position it against the side. Here, you have to align the rail according to the cabinet requirements.

You have to keep a specific amount of space between the shelf’s bottom and the rail. The manufacture guideline will tell you the exact measurement. After attaching eh rail with the shelf, screw it up to secure it. Go through the other rails and repeat the same thing.

Step 7: Position the Drawers

Now that you are done with the rail, you have to start setting up the shelf. Get your hands on the shims from the back of the cleats and drawer slides. Bend out the inner portion of your cabinet and start pushing the drawer slides. Start leveling the drawers holding the outer part of the shelf.

Then, keeping the drawer slides inside your cabinet, you have to align the sliding-rail part. Start pushing the shelf now. In this situation, you must be firm yet cautious. Take the shelf out and make sure that the sliding rails are locked properly to hold the drawer slides. You are done!

Wrap Up

So, you already know how you can install sliding drawers in the kitchen cabinets without any help! All you need to keep in mind is taking the right measurement and be patient while working! If you are a DIY-er, you can check out our sites to learn more about how you can work with wood! Learn and grow more!