Rolling Out

Storage in our house is a constant battle.  We never seem to have quite enough space in cabinets and closets (probably because our consumer instinct is to fill ever nook and cranny in our house).  We're always looking for great storage tips and tricks to utilize the space we have.   A little trick that was brought to our attention was our project this last weekend.

Below is my little under-sink cabinet that holds every beauty item you could imagine -- well not quite, but close!

It's not the worst set up, but it could definitely use a little bit of improvement.  I make so much noise in the morning, waking up my hubby while I dig through my wire baskets, dropping things, etc.  It's quite the racket!

While looking through a magazine I saw some ultra-convenient (and quiet!) roll out drawers -- a perfect solution!  I looked into buying some at my local hardware store, but could not justify spending the crazy price they were asking.   We decided it would be a DIY weekend while we drew diagrams, and strategized our plan of attack

After the cabinet was empty, we installed our drawer slides:

Step One:  Attach slides to a spacer (we used a 1x3 cut to our cabinet length)  The spacer is necessary because we have a ledge on our cabinets and we didn't want our drawers to bump into it while they were rolling in or out.

Once the slides are attached to your spacers, it's time to get them in the cabinet.

Step Two:  Attach your spacers to the inside cabinet.  Be sure to measure very carefully so that your drawers are level.  (VERY IMPORTANT!!)  Also make sure your drawer will have enough clearance on the bottom if there is a lip or ledge there too.

Step Three:  Make your drawers.  The easy way to look at it is that you are just making a box.  I made my boxes 3" high (that seems to be standard on most rolling shelves).  I used 1/2" plywood to make my drawer sides, and put 1/4" plywood on the bottom. 

MEASURING:  When you are measuring the width of your drawers, be sure to account for the rollers!  The ones we bought added 1/4" to each side, so we had to subtract 1/2" from our initial width (with spacers).

Another tip for measuring your shelves is to remember to consider the plumbing underneath your sink.  You don't want your drawer to be bumping into your plumbing every time you use it.  I allowed 1/2" clearance before my plumbing pipes to be on the safe side.

To assemble the drawers I used 1 1/4" nails and an air gun.  I also used A LOT of heavy duty wood glue.  These drawers will have some heavy stuff in them!

And yes, sadly I don't have a vice or clamp to hold things together while glue dries, but this weight works too. I'm sure I should be using a clamp, but I'm not a professional carpenter...

Next comes the moment of truth.........puting the drawers into the cabinet.  Don't get discouraged if you have to make minor adjustments and try again.  I had to make a few changes before I had my "dah-dah dah!"moment.

I bought some drawer organizers from Bed Bath & Beyond (with my 20% off coupon of course!) to go inside my drawers.

Easy as that and they are done!  Look at all the storage I have now!  I did paint my drawers black -- but you could leave them too.

 Here's the cost and material breakdown:

1/2" plywood (2x4 piece):  $5.72 
1/4" hardboard (2x4 piece):  $4.54
1x3" board: Had
1 1/4" nails: Had
2" screws: Had
Paint: Had
Wood Glue:  Had

16" drawer slides (2 sets): $11.18
TOTAL:  $21.23 for Two Sliding Shelves

Large Drawer Organizer: $9.60
Small Drawer Organizer:  $8.00
TOTAL PROJECT:  $38.95

Not too bad!

I was so excited to get ready this morning and use my new drawer slides!  It was a tedious project -- but well worth it!

And today I'm linking up to the CSI project for their "Hardware Store Challenge" & House of Hepworth's!