Years ago, I would often install pullout shelves in the lower cabinets to improve access. I still do that. But several years ago, a customer asked if I could turn their lower cabinets into drawers. That is, lose the cabinet doors completely and install full sized drawer boxes in their place – like dresser drawers. The advantages over conventional “pullout shelves” are that you no longer have to open a cabinet to get to your pullouts. Also, the full height of the drawers and 100 lb capacity slides make it much easier to organize a lot of heavy pots and pans. In addition – it looks really sharp. Modifying lower cabinet into drawers has become, without a doubt, my most requested cabinet modification.
The finished transformation of lower cabinets into drawers
Step one is to remove the lower doors and install a horizontal rail across the opening.
Using a specialized tool the heavy-duty, full-extension drawer slides are installed.
Hardwood, dovetail corner drawer boxes are installed with the new full-extension slides
Cabinets are refaced, new drawer fronts hardware are installed
The full-extension slides make everything easily accessible. No more kneeling on the floor. Our slides are rated at 100 lb capacity. Lifting a cast iron Dutch oven from a fully extended drawer is so much easier than pulling it out from the bottom of a cluttered cabinet.
From an appearance perspective – the big drawers can really provide that “separate piece of furniture” feel that is such a great look with an island.
Island BEFORE drawer conversion and refacing
Same island as above, after converting cabinets to drawers and refacing (added bookshelf, too)