Signs It's Time to Replace Your Kitchen Drawers

Your kitchen drawers may be giving you signs that it’s time to replace them if you know what to look for.

1. Difficult to close and open: This is a sign that the drawer slides or tracks are worn or damaged.
2. Broken Drawer Fronts: Your kitchen cabinet may look worn if the front panel is cracked, chipped, or broken.
3. Warped: With heavy daily use, your drawers could be showing signs of wear, like warping, splintered surfaces, or missing hardware.
4. Loose drawers: If drawers are loose, their joints or hardware could be worn. This can affect the integrity of the drawer.
5. Storage capacity: If your kitchen drawers are too small to fit the items you need, it may be time to upgrade your cabinets to better meet your storage needs.
6. Outdated aesthetic: A kitchen naturally becomes outdated after many years and may not match our current style. This is a good time to replace drawers.

Tools and Materials You'll Need for Replacing Kitchen Drawers

When learning how to replace kitchen drawers on your own, having the right tools on hand is the first step to a successful installation. Specific tools and materials will vary depending on the type of drawers in your kitchen.

Tools You Will Need

1. Pliers: These may be needed for removing screws or for adjusting the drawer slides.
2. Screwdriver: These may be needed to remove existing screws in the drawer slides or other hardware.
3. Measuring Tape: You will need to take measurements of the existing drawers and the new ones.
4. Drill: This will enable you to install or remove screws in hard-to-reach areas.
5. Level: This is important to ensure the new drawer slides are installed straight and level.

Materials You Will Need

1. Replacement drawers: For a seamless look, these drawers will need to match the size and style of your existing kitchen cabinets.
2. Screws: You may need screws of various lengths and types for the drawer slides and hardware.
3. Drawer slides: Replace drawer slides if they are damaged, making sure they are compatible with your drawers.
4. Drawer knobs or pulls: New knobs or pulls can add a fresh updated element to your new drawers.
5. Mounting brackets: If you are installing new drawer slides or if the brackets are damaged, you will need new ones.
6. Wood Glue: Glue, filler, and sandpaper are good to have on hand in case there are damaged or uneven surfaces that need repairing.

How to Remove Your Old Kitchen Drawers

Removing old kitchen drawers is easy when you know how to do it. Be aware that not all drawers are the same, and some may have additional mechanisms that require different steps for removal.

1. Empty the drawers.
2. Identify the drawer type to determine whether it is side-mounted or bottom-mounted.
3. Release the drawer using the release mechanism, which may involve pushing or pulling the release lever.
4. Carefully pull out the released drawer from the cabinet.

Step-by-Step Guide to Measuring Your Replacement Kitchen Drawers

Whether replacing a broken cabinet drawer part or preparing to buy a new one, take measurements for a perfect fit. Measure the height, width, and depth of the existing box. Measure the outside dimensions. You do not need to measure the drawer front.

To measure the cabinet opening using side-mounted glides:

• Measure the frame-to-frame cabinet opening width. Subtract 1” to account for both side-mounted glides. You may need to subtract more if you have atypical or custom glides.
• Measure the frame-to-frame cabinet opening height. Subtract at least 1/2” for drawer clearance. Round down to the nearest 1/2” (3 3/4" becomes 3 1/2")
• Calculate depth by subtracting 1" from the length of the side-mounted drawer glides. For example, 21” glides will need a 20” deep drawer box.
• Double-check the depth of your cabinet. Typical kitchen base cabinet depth is 24” but can vary. Remember that gas and water pipes can affect your cabinetry depth.

To measure the cabinet opening using undermount glides:

• Measure the frame-to-frame cabinet opening width. Subtract 3/8” for side clearance.
• Measure the frame-to-frame cabinet opening height. Subtract 3/4” and round down to the nearest 1/2". Most drawer boxes are only sold in 1/2" heights.
• The drawer box depth is the same length as the undermount drawer glide.
• Look for the "notch and bore" option for drawer boxes with undermount slides.

Professional vs. DIY Kitchen Drawer Replacement: Which Option Is Right for You?

The main difference between professional and DIY kitchen drawer replacement lies in the level of expertise and resources. DIY kitchen drawer replacement can be a cost-effective option if you are prepared to complete the task. Ask yourself a few questions before taking on a DIY kitchen drawer replacement project:

• Do you have access to the specialized tools you will need to replace a kitchen drawer? Some tools required for the job are drawer slide jigs, cabinet clamps, and power tools.
• Do you have the know-how or experience to undertake a kitchen renovation? Are you familiar with different kitchen drawer systems?
• Do you have the time and commitment for this project? Professionals are trained and work quickly, while your lack of experience may slow the project down.
• Will you be able to complete the job well, ensuring alignment, level installation, and drawers that glide in and out smoothly?
• There are no warranties when it comes to DIY projects, so your mistakes may cost you unexpected money and time.

Ready to Upgrade Your Kitchen Drawers? Contact Us Today!

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Our dedicated designers will work with the cabinets you already have to add up to 50% more usable storage space. During our free, in-home design consultation, you’ll see a 3D rendering of your perfectly optimized storage solution. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation!