Convert a Cabinet Shelf into a Pull Out Drawer

kitchen cabinet pull out diy
Difficulty
Intermediate
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Wish your shelf was a pull out drawer?  Why not use the shelf to make a pull out?

In this tutorial, I'll show you how to convert a shelf into a cabinet pull out drawer. The shelf becomes the bottom of the pull out drawer, so all you need is wood for the sides of the drawer and drawer slides. 

Related: $10 Roll Out Cabinet Shelf Tutorial

How to take an existing cabinet shelf and convert it to a pull out cabinet drawer.

I love this project because not only is is super functional, adding more storage and making your base cabinets more accessible, but you hardly need any new materials.  

I reused the shelf, making it the drawer bottom, so all you have to do is get wood for the sides and drawer slides.

Watch!  Here's the steps outlined in a video:

 

Steps to Convert a Cabinet Shelf Into a Pull Out Drawer

pull out cabinet shelf to drawer  

 

      

Step 1 - Remove and Save the Shelf

Remove the cabinet shelf from the cabinet.  Save it.  We'll build the new pull out drawer using the cabinet shelf.

measure the opening

 

 

Step 2 - Measure Your Opening

Since the drawer will need to pass easily through the cabinet opening, measure the opening width.

cut the shelf down to size

 

 

Step 3 - Cut Shelf for Drawer Slide Clearances

The shelf will need to be 1" smaller than the opening, the 1" is clearance for the drawer slides. Cut with a circular saw, supporting the shelf on scrap wood pieces or a piece of foam.

NOTE: If you wish to add sides on the outside of the shelf, the shelf will need to be cut down further in size to accommodate the widths of the boards added to the outside, see next step.

Build a box on top

 

 

Step 4 - Add Sides to Top of Shelf

Use 1x2 or 1x3 boards to add sides to the top of the shelf.  I used a brad nailer with 1-1/4" brad nails and glue.

NOTE: If you wish to have the pullout sides installed on the outsides of the shelf as pictured, the shelf will need to be cut down in size to account for the board widths.  The finished pullout needs to be 1" smaller than the cabinet opening.

drawer slides

 

 

Step 5: Add Drawer Slides

Add drawer slides to the sides of the pullout.  I used full extension drawer slides.  

Here is a good video on installing these drawer slides.

install drawer slides in cabinet

 

 

Step 6: Drawer Slides Installed In Cabinet

If your cabinet has a face frame like mine, you will need to add a spacer behind the drawer slide cabinet member, so the drawer slide is installed flush to the face frame.

EXAMPLE: If your face frame overhangs the inside of the cabinet by 3/8", attach 3/8" plywood pieces to where you'll be installing drawer slide cabinet members.  

Install the drawer slide cabinet member at the location you would like your pullout drawer.

convert a shelf to a pull out drawer

 

 

Step 7: Slide Drawer into Cabinet 

Now just slide the drawer into the cabinet and make any needed adjustments until the pullout slides smoothly.

 

 

 

Preparation

Tools
Tape Measure
Speed Square
Pencil
Safety Glasses
Drill
Circular Saw
Brad Nailer
Finishing Instructions
Preparation Instructions
Fill all holes with wood filler and let dry. Apply additional coats of wood filler as needed. When wood filler is completely dry, sand the project in the direction of the wood grain with 120 grit sandpaper. Vacuum sanded project to remove sanding residue. Remove all sanding residue on work surfaces as well. Wipe project clean with damp cloth.

It is always recommended to apply a test coat on a hidden area or scrap piece to ensure color evenness and adhesion. Use primer or wood conditioner as needed.