How To Build Vertical Drawers for Pantry Storage
You can change the look of your pantry by installing vertical drawers. Vertical drawers reduce the clutter of dishes, pots and pans. They enable you to categorize items as much as you want for easier accessibility. When you build vertical drawers you can separate your serving dishes, plates, spices, canned foods, perishables, and dry goods based on your personal preferences.
- Decide on the particular design you want for your pantry that works for you. The design should ensure that the items are visible and well laid out. Do you want your pantry to have pullout drawers or fixed shelves? The design is dependent on what you would like to store in particular drawers.
- Choose the material you will use in building the drawers. Most preferably, opt for a hard wood that can handle the weight of canned food and drinks. Ensure you buy good quality materials so the drawers and contents to come crashing down on anyone, especially a child. You can purchase the material from a lumberyard or kitchen cabinet company.
- Consult a building expert. It is important to get an expert to guide you through the process especially if you have never built or cut planks before. If you have built but not a pantry, then get some tips on how to do a good job. Though you may feel comfortable enough, it never hurts to ask a friend to help you with moving things around.
- Purchase the necessary tools required in building the drawers if you do not already have them. You will need a
- Tape measure
- Framing Square
- Level
- Drill
- Hammer
- Saw
- Sandpaper
- Screwdriver- it’s helpful to use the multi-pack that has different sizes and screw heads.
- Four shelf support brackets to hold each shelf,
- Optional paint or varnish for the drawers.
- Although optional, it is always a great idea to vanish or paint the boards prior to setting them permanently to the pantry to give it a clean, sanitary finish.
- Mark around where necessary and using your level, draw lines along where you would like the drawers. Ensure you apportion adequate space in between drawers is just enough to hold tall items but not too much such that you end up wasting space. Another option includes screwing additional shelf brackets into the inside of the cabinet in order to reposition the shelf boards when you need to adjust height or width.
- Secure to the wall shelves to make them sturdier with a screw using the drill.
- Attach a wall stud to any drawer that is going to carry a lot of weight to ensure it is sturdy for heavy items.
- Ensure that all the drawers are parallel to each other as you build. The wrong organization for your pantry can be very frustrating. It is annoying going out to buy something then realize that you already had it or miss to add an ingredient when you are cooking only because you could not find it in time. A well-organized pantry that has enough space gives your kitchen a refined organized look for allowing you to confidently prepare meals for yourself, family and guests.