How to Install Pull Out Shelves in Your Kitchen Cabinets

If your kitchen cabinets are disorganized or you struggle to reach items in the back, it may be time to upgrade with pull out shelves. These handy shelving additions can maximize your storage space and make items easily accessible. While it's often best to have pull out shelves professionally installed, with the right materials and some DIY know-how, you can tackle this project yourself.

Pull out shelves, also called roll out trays, are designed to fully extend from the cabinet to bring contents forward for easy access. Built with smooth ball-bearing slides, quality pull out shelves allow you to view everything in your cabinet at a glance. No more digging to the back or moving items aside. These shelves simplify everyday tasks like cooking, cleaning, and organizing. With customizable dividers and edge guards, you can optimize them to store plates, pots, canned goods, or anything else.

Step 1: Measure Your Cabinets

Taking accurate measurements is crucial when installing pull out shelves. You'll need the interior height, width, and depth of each cabinet you plan to outfit with new shelves. Use a tape measure to get the exact dimensions.

For the height, measure from the top interior surface to the bottom. Record the width by measuring side to side at the furthest points inside the cabinet. For depth, measure from the inside of the cabinet door to the back wall. Measure every cabinet, even if they appear identical. Write down the measurements to refer to when purchasing shelves.

Also take note of any obstructions, like pipes, wires, or brackets, that could impact the shelves. Carefully measure corner cabinets or any uniquely shaped spaces. All these details will help in finding the right sized pull out shelves.

Tips for Measuring Cabinets

• Use a laser measuring tool for quick, accurate reads
• Have a helper to ensure you capture all the tight spaces
• Measure multiple spots in larger cabinets for an average

Step 2: Buy Your Pull Out Shelves

Once you have your measurements, it's time to purchase the pull out shelves. You'll typically find three main options:

• Custom-built shelves - Made to your exact cabinet dimensions
• Universal fit shelves - Adjustable sizes to fit most cabinets
• Make your own - DIY with slides and wood boards

Custom shelves guarantee a perfect fit but tend to be the priciest option. Universal adjustables provide flexibility if you later change your cabinet layout. DIY versions allow total customization and can be the most budget-friendly.

Pull out shelves are available through home improvement stores, kitchen specialty retailers, or online. Look for quality materials like stainless steel, durable plastic, or solid wood. Pay attention to weight limits, full extension capabilities, and soft-close hinges. Also consider convenience features like built-in knife blocks, towel bars, or spice racks.

Key Pull Out Shelf Features

• 75-100+ lb weight capacity
• Full extension slides
• Soft-close to prevent slamming
• Adjustable widths and heights

Step 3: Prepare Your Cabinets

With your new shelves purchased, it's time to prep the cabinets for installation. Start by removing any existing shelving and clearing out the interior. Give the cabinet a thorough clean to remove dust, grease, or debris.

Examine the cabinet box and interior sides. Make any minor adjustments needed to ensure the pull out shelves will slide smoothly. For example, you may need to sand down rough edges or install wood shims if the cabinet is uneven. Use filler or caulk to patch any holes or cracks.

Gather your tools and hardware before installing the new shelves. Typically you'll need a drill, screwdriver, tape measure, level, and potentially a stud-finder. Have the slides, shelf brackets, and screws handy based on the shelf design.

Pre-Installation Cabinet Tips

• Fill any cracks or holes for clean surface
• Lightly sand rough edges
• Use shims to level uneven cabinet floors

Step 4: Install the Slides

Installing the slides or tracks is the most crucial part of the process. Proper slide placement will ensure your shelves function smoothly. There are a few slide types:

• Side-mounted attach to the cabinet sides
• Bottom-mounted attach underneath the cabinet
• Full extension allows shelf to extend fully

Follow the manufacturer's instructions for placing and securing the slides. Side-mounted versions will attach near the front top and bottom of the cabinet sides using screws. Bottom-mounted slides screw into the cabinet floor at the front and back.

Use a level to keep the slides even and straight. Drill pilot holes before inserting screws to prevent cracking the cabinet sides. Double check your measurements and slide placement as you work. Properly aligning the slides is the foundation for the rest of the installation.

Slide Install Tips

• Drill pilot holes before screwing in slides
• Use a level to ensure straight slide placement
• Refer to measurements to align slides evenly

Step 5: Attach the Shelves

With the cabinet slides in place, you can now install the actual shelves. Side-mounted slides will have L-brackets attached to the shelf first using screws. Slip the shelf into the cabinet, resting the brackets on the slides. For bottom-mounted slides, set the shelf atop the slides then screw through the underside to secure.

Make sure the shelf is centered and level on the slides. Test to see that it extends fully without rubbing. Carefully follow the hardware instructions to permanently attach the shelf to the slides. Avoid overtightening screws. Double check for smooth operation before loading the shelf with items.

Installing the Shelf

• Ensure shelf is level and centered
• Test extension before permanent install
• Do not overtighten attachment screws

Step 6: Test and Adjust the Shelf

Once assembled, thoroughly test the pull out shelf. Fully extend and retract the shelf several times. Make subtle adjustments if the shelf doesn't slide evenly or drags on the sides. Verify there is adequate clearance with the cabinet doors closed.

Use the included hardware to permanently secure the shelf if the test runs prove successful. Avoid overloading the shelves right away. Add weight slowly to confirm the slides and shelf can handle it without sagging or malfunctioning.

If issues arise, don't panic. Minor problems like crooked shelves or sticky slides can often be fixed with some troubleshooting and adjustments. Installing pull out shelves takes precision, but is very doable for an intermediate DIYer.

Troubleshooting Tips

• Adjust slides if shelf drags or doesn't extend evenly
• Use shims to level shelves that are unbalanced
• Lubricate sticky slides with silicon spray

Extra Tips and Tricks

Beyond the basics, there are several add-ons that can enhance your new pull out shelves even more. LED lighting installed on the underside of the shelf illuminates the cabinet for easy viewing. Custom dividers, edge guards, and liners help organize and protect shelf contents.

Pull out shelves also work great in corner cabinets or pantries. Use an articulating style with a rotating lazy Susan base. Or install a diagonal corner shelf that extends outward. Measure carefully to ensure a proper fit in these tricky angled cabinet spaces.

Maximize kitchen efficiency with pull out shelves designed for cookware, plates, spices, or other specific items. Bring organization to the chaos with these intelligent storage solutions.

With some careful measuring, strategic shopping, and elbow grease, installing your own pull out shelves is an achievable DIY project. Follow the steps for proper slide placement and secure mounting. Add lighting or dividers to customize your storage needs. In under a day's work, you can outfit your kitchen cabinets with these handy shelves for convenience that lasts.

No more struggling to see or reach into the backs of cabinets. Pull out shelves make everything visible and within arm's reach. Meal prep and cleanup will become simpler. Your revamped kitchen will be clutter-free thanks to maximized smart storage. Roll out the efficiency with pull out shelves!