I finally tried those viral Amazon slide out drawers everyone’s been posting about, and they really work. I needed a way to organize my kitchen cabinets that didn’t cost a fortune or require power tools. And these $20 slide out drawers? They changed the way I use my kitchen. No more digging in the back of my cabinets, everything slides right out. This is the kind of simple kitchen organization idea that actually delivers. π
Why slide out drawers solve my biggest cabinet frustration
Ok so, my lower cabinets were a black hole. I would stack cans, bags of rice, and random pans in there. Then to grab the bag of lentils hiding in the back, I had to pull everything out. Honestly, I gave up cooking some nights just to avoid that mess. Not gonna lie, it was a problem.
Here’s the thing: standard cabinets are deep. Stuff gets lost. You buy duplicate jars of pasta sauce because you forgot you already had one. Slide out drawers fix that instantly. They bring the back to the front. My cat sat on one while I was installing it, that’s how sturdy they are. Anyway, the point is, they remove the single biggest annoyance in my kitchen: the dark unreachable corner.
I searched for “cabinet organizer pull out” on Amazon and found these for under $20 a pair. I bought three sets. Look, you do not need a custom carpenter for this. You just need a few minutes and a screwdriver.
What you need for this $20 DIY kitchen organization project
Let’s talk supplies. It’s a short list, which is why even a total beginner like me could handle it. I am not handy. I once hung a picture frame upside down. So if I can do this, you can.
- Slide out drawer baskets (Amazon, search “cabinet pull out basket” or “slide out organizer” – pick ones with adjustable width bars if possible). I bought the type with a metal frame and a plastic bottom tray. They came in a pack of two for $19.99.
- A screwdriver (or a drill if you are fancy, but a simple flathead works). Mine was from a cheap toolkit I bought at a discount store.
- A measuring tape (critical step – you cannot eyeball this, trust me). I measured my cabinet width, depth, and the height of the items I store. I have a weird six inch tall bag of flour that barely fit.
- A level (optional but helpful if you are a perfectionist like me. I am not, but I used a water glass to check. It was fine).
- Patience (about twenty minutes per drawer). I had to take a break and eat a cookie halfway through. No regrets.
That’s it. No glue, no cutting, no measuring twice and crying once. Just a simple afternoon project.
Step by step: How I installed these slide out drawers
Installation was easier than I expected. Each drawer came with two side rails and the basket itself. The rails have pre-attached sticky tape on the top and screw holes if you want to make them permanent. I used the tape because I rent my apartment. My landlord would never know, because I can peel them off later with no damage.
First, I cleaned the bottom of the cabinet shelf. Dust and crumbs make the tape fail. I wiped it with a damp cloth, then dried it. Then I stuck the two rails to the shelf, parallel to each other, about the width of the basket. I pushed down hard for about thirty seconds. The instructions said to press for ten. I pressed for thirty because I was paranoid.
Next, I picked the basket itself and slid it onto the rails. There is a little tab at the back of each rail that clicks into a slot on the basket. You hear a satisfying click. Then you pull it forward and back a few times to make sure it glides smoothly. Mine moved like butter. Not gonna lie, I did a happy dance.
One weird little thing: the rails have a plastic stopper that prevents the drawer from pulling out completely. That is good if you have toddlers or clumsy cats. But it also means you cannot fully remove the basket without sliding a little lever on the side. I discovered that when I tried to take the basket out to wash it. A mild annoyance, but honestly a safety feature I appreciate.
I installed three sets in about an hour. That included the time I spent arguing with my partner about whether the cans should face the label out or not. (They should face out, obviously.)
The biggest surprise: how much more I can fit
I expected to lose some storage space because the rails take up a tiny bit of height. But the opposite happened. Because I can see everything, I actually use the vertical space better. I used to stack cans two high in a chaotic pile. Now I lay them flat in the drawer, one layer deep. I can fit more cans than before because nothing is wasted on empty gaps.
Also, I stopped buying duplicates. That alone saves me money. Well, that and the fact that I can now find the garlic powder without emptying the entire cabinet.
My favorite drawer holds my mixing bowls and measuring cups. They used to be nested in a tangled heap. Now they slide out like a set of Russian dolls, perfectly arranged. (I did not arrange them perfectly. They end up messy after one use, but at least they are accessible.)
Honestly the biggest win is the spice cabinet. I know spices are small, but I have a deep narrow cabinet for them. I installed the smallest size slide out drawer there. Now every bottle is visible at a glance. I found a jar of cumin I bought in 2019. It was still good, surprisingly. My curry dishes taste better now.
Two things I wish I knew before buying
First, measure the height clearance twice. I bought a drawer that was too tall for my shallow cabinet. I had to return it and order a shorter version. The product listing says “fits 3 inch opening,” but the height of the basket itself plus the rails adds about a quarter inch. That quarter inch made the difference between fitting and not fitting. So measure the interior height of your cabinet from the shelf below to the shelf above. Leave at least a half inch gap above the basket for sliding.
Second, not all brands are created equal. I bought a cheaper set (under $15) and the rails were flimsy. The plastic stopper broke on the third pull. The $20 ones I finally used are much sturdier, with metal ball bearings on the slides. The difference is night and day. Pay a few extra dollars for quality.
That is it. Two things. I wish I had known, but now you do.
Are these worth it for every cabinet? My honest take
No. Not every cabinet needs a slide out drawer. For example, my upper cabinets with tall glasses? I can see everything already. A slide out drawer there would just add unnecessary weight and take up vertical space. Also, cabinets that are very narrow (less than 10 inches wide) might not have enough room for the rails. And if you store heavy cast iron pans, the cheap plastic basket might warp. Mine holds my cast iron skillet just fine, but I would not put an entire Dutch oven on top of it.
Where they shine: lower cabinets, deep pantry cabinets, cabinet under the sink (if you do not have pipes in the way). I use one under my sink for cleaning supplies. It keeps the spray bottles upright and accessible. That alone was worth the price because I used to knock over a bottle of bleach every time I reached for a sponge.
If you have a cabinet that you dread opening, put a slide out drawer in it. You will use that cabinet five times more often. I guarantee it.
Quick maintenance and care for long lasting drawers
These things are low maintenance. Every few months I pull the drawer out fully and wipe the rails with a damp cloth to remove crumbs. Sometimes a single rice grain gets stuck in the track and makes a scraping sound. That is easily solved by blowing it out or vacuuming it.
The basket itself is wire coated in a plastic finish. It wipes clean easily. Do not put it in the dishwasher. The coating can peel. Just hand wash with soap and a sponge. It takes thirty seconds.
One more tip: if the drawer starts to stick, you can apply a tiny drop of cooking oil to the rail bearings. Like, a drop of olive oil on a Q-tip. Works wonders. Do not use WD-40, it can attract dust.
That is all I have. Seriously, it is not a lot of work for the convenience you get.
If you have been on the fence about trying those viral Amazon slide out drawers, go for it. They cost less than a takeout meal and save you that much frustration every week. I use mine every single day and I still smile when I pull them out. Follow me for more daily Amazon home finds, I have a few more projects coming. Your kitchen deserves this little upgrade. π
#AmazonFinds #KitchenOrganization #SlideOutDrawers #DIYHomeOrganization #HomeHacks