DIY
New Roll Out Drawers for an Old Kitchen Cabinet
Saving money and hassle with a DIY upgrade
I remember taking a test in school that assessed our spatial abilities, like figuring out which way the last gear in a series of seven gears would turn. My score on this test was quite low. And the test was accurate: despite years of practice, I can never quite tell if my car will fit into a parking spot, or how to efficiently pack boxes or luggage, etc.
While my lack of spatial awareness limits some of my range in terms of DIY activities I want to take on independently, my girlfriend has strong spatial abilities and has been taking a look at affordable ways to improve the functionality of the cupboards in the kitchen of my 1950s-built house.
These cupboards manage to be both small and deep, such that it’s hard to reach or see what’s in the back. My default strategy has been to just keep what I use most in front, and periodically make a more careful search when I need to find, say, a tortilla warmer or waffle iron.
I had also been keeping the small to medium-sized glass and plastic storage containers that I use regularly for leftovers and other food storage in multiple places because I hadn’t figured out a designated space where I could fit them neatly into one cupboard. It wasn’t always easy to find the matching lids.
Do you know how sometimes you just get used to something less than ideal, and you pretty much stopped worrying or caring long ago? I was ignoring the container situation until my girlfriend recently moved in with me.
She likes to use these kinds of containers for her lunches for work, and she brought her own collection to my house, so we consolidated and kept the best ones and donated those that had seen better days.
Then one day last week she told me she’d found a company that sells roll out drawer kits that you can assemble and mount inside your cupboards. I knew just what she meant as my mom had these drawers professionally installed when she had her kitchen remodeled, and I’ve admired the organization and accessibility of her pots and pans, and the tidy array of Pyrex bowls and casserole dishes.
These kits cost much less than the professional installation, of course, and we decided to buy two to use in a small two-shelf cabinet. The company sells various sizes, and one fit the cabinet nicely.
The kits arrived a couple days ago, and after dinner, my girlfriend promptly opened them up, laid all the parts out, and installed the drawers. It didn’t take her long to screw the metal frames together, mount the tracks inside the cabinet, and slide the drawers into the tracks.
It turns out the company makes a lot of different organization products. They are called Lynk and are based in Lenexa, Kansas. We got their products via Amazon, but they sell via different retailers, too. Their website has more info about their products. I would buy from them again as the products were good quality with clear instructions.
I appreciate the gentle way that my girlfriend suggested this idea, and I’m impressed with how she had the energy and initiative to put it together after a long day at work. I love these new drawers and how they make the old cupboards easier to use for a minimal expense.
Do you have a friend or family member who helps you with DIY projects? Do you find that you gain a new perspective on your space when someone else takes a look and offers ideas? Please let me know in the comments!
Your stories are always welcome here in The DIY Diaries, and I appreciate your time in reading and sharing about projects involving all kinds of activities, from cooking to gardening to home decor to arts and crafts — and more!
