How to add drawers to a kitchen cabinet

EricL

Difficulty: Intermediate

Drawers are a great way to organise items and maximise storage in your kitchen.

Here is a guide to building a pull-out drawer and installing it in a kitchen cabinet using drawer runners. You can customise this project based on your specific needs. Once you have built your drawer, you can also add drawer dividers to help you find what you need more easily.

As this project involves power tools, please follow all safety guidelines provided by manufacturers and use the recommended protective gear, including safety glasses and gloves.

Steps

Step 1

Measure and cut panels.

Measure the size of your cabinet’s opening and determine the size of your drawer. Ensure your drawer’s width and depth allow enough space for the drawer runners to fit comfortably within the cabinet.

This drawer is designed to fit an opening in my cabinet that is 760mm in length and 560mm in depth.

Now measure and mark the 16mm MDF panel according to the following:

One piece measuring 662 x 250mm for the drawer’s back panel
One piece measuring 662 x 100mm for the drawer’s front panel
Two pieces measuring 560 x 250mm for the drawer’s sides
One piece measuring 662 x 528mm for the drawer’s base.

You will also need to cut two strips of wood measuring 470 x 40mm for the drawer runner spacers. These will be used to prevent the drawer runner from hitting the cabinet door once the drawer has been installed.

Clamp the MDF panels securely to your workbench and use a circular saw to cut your drawer panels accordingly. Don't forget to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) while cutting.

1.1 Transfer measurements to panel.png 1.2. Cut panels accordingly.png 1.3 Cut the panels.png 1.4 Cut drawer runner timber spacer.png

Step 2

Assemble and paint the drawer.

Sand the cut edges of the panels to ensure they are smooth.

Use a corner clamp to hold the drawer’s base and back panel together. Pre-drill and countersink holes along the join and then secure the two sections together with screws.

Repeat this process to secure the drawer’s left panel onto the base and back panel. Now turn the cabinet over and secure the drawer’s right panel.

Screw the front panel of the drawer box to the drawer’s sides and base.

You should now have an assembled drawer.

Paint the drawer and drawer runner spacers in a colour of your choice. Ensure the paint is dry before proceeding.

2.1 Attach bottom panel to back panel.png 2.2 Screw panels together.png 2.3 Attach left side panel.png 2.4 Turn drawer to other side.png 2.5 Attach right side panel.png 2.6 Attach front panel.png 2.7 Drawer assembled.png 2.8 Paint the drawer.png

Step 3

Pre-drill holes for the drawer runners.

Place the drawer on a flat surface. Now place the drawer runners along both sides of the box.

Mark the points for the mounting screws and pre-drill holes.

3.1 Mark drilling point for drawer runner.png

Step 4

Install the drawer guides on the drawer.

Fully extend the drawer runners and split them by pushing down on the release clip. This will allow you to remove the drawer guide from the drawer runner. The drawer guide is the rail part of the drawer runner without the ball bearings. The drawer guide will be installed on the drawer while the drawer runner will be installed in the cabinet.

Line up the drawer guide with the bottom and front edges of the drawer. Screw the drawer guide into place. Then do the same on the opposite side of the drawer.

Check out the Bunnings guide How to install drawer runners for more handy tips.

4.1 Release clip on drawer runner.png 4.2 Press down to release.png 4.3 Drawer guide screwed onto drawer.png

Step 5

Install the drawer runners in the cabinet.

Place a 9mm MDF panel on top of the cabinet shelf. This will be used to provide a gap under the drawer runner spacer.

Place the spacer on top of the panel and screw it to the cabinet wall.

Now install the drawer runner against the spacer on both sides of the drawer. Remove the 9mm MDF panel from the bottom.

5.1 Attach timber spacer to cabinet wall.png 5.2 Mark drilling point for drawer runner.png 5.3 Screw drawer runner to cabinet.png 5.4 Repeat installation of drawer runner on left side.png

Step 6

Install the drawer in your cabinet.

Line up the drawer with the drawer runners inside the cabinet. Slide the drawer guides into the drawer runners. Gently push the drawer past the plastic catch in the runners, ensuring it is running smoothly.

You have now successfully built and installed a drawer in your cabinet.

6.1 Line up drawer in cabinet and install.png 6.2. Load drawer and test by sliding.png 6.3 Completed drawer installed in cabinet.png

Materials

9mm MDF panel 300 x 200mm
16mm MDF panel 2400 x 1200mm
8G x 30mm screws 50 pack
One set of drawer runners, like Goliath Standard Drawer Slide Pair - 450mm
Paint.

Tools

Tape measure
Pencil
Corner clamp
180-grit sandpaper
Circular saw
Cordless drill
Drill bit set
Safety gear, including face mask, gloves and safety glasses.

Images

1.1 Transfer measurements to panel.png 1.2. Cut panels accordingly.png 1.3 Cut the panels.png 1.4 Cut drawer runner timber spacer.png 2.1 Attach bottom panel to back panel.png 2.2 Screw panels together.png 2.3 Attach left side panel.png 2.4 Turn drawer to other side.png 2.5 Attach right side panel.png 2.6 Attach front panel.png 2.7 Drawer assembled.png 2.8 Paint the drawer.png 3.1 Mark drilling point for drawer runner.png 4.1 Release clip on drawer runner.png 4.2 Press down to release.png 4.3 Drawer guide screwed onto drawer.png 5.1 Attach timber spacer to cabinet wall.png 5.2 Mark drilling point for drawer runner.png 5.3 Screw drawer runner to cabinet.png 5.4 Repeat installation of drawer runner on left side.png 6.1 Line up drawer in cabinet and install.png 6.2. Load drawer and test by sliding.png 6.3 Completed drawer installed in cabinet.png