Get the Most Out of Your Kitchen with Pull Out Cabinet Storage
Does your kitchen contain cluttered cabinets where glasses and plates constantly get buried behind stacks of rarely used appliances? Do you find yourself digging around endlessly just to locate a can of beans or spices for dinner? If your cabinets seem to have a black hole swallowing everything you place inside them, it may be time to consider upgrading with pull out shelves.
Pull out shelves slide out smoothly when you open your cabinets, providing easy access to items in the back that normally get lost in the abyss. Not only do pull outs prevent you from playing a frustrating game of hide and seek with your belongings, they also help you organize contents and maximize the storage capacity of your existing cabinetry.
Benefits of Pull Out Shelves for Kitchen Cabinets
Make Items in Back of Cabinets Accessible
One of the biggest headaches with standard kitchen cabinets is how difficult it becomes over time to access items near the back. As you continously add groceries and supplies, things in the front push back older items already in the rear until they become buried and forgotten.
Pull out cabinet shelves completely eliminate this issue by rolling contents forward as you open the door. Everything smoothly comes within reach instead of remaining stubbornly lodged against the back wall. No more blind rummaging and unloading to find a long lost can of broth!
Maximize Existing Cabinet Space
In a typical kitchen, the cabinet boxes extend much deeper than the fixed shelves mounted inside are able to utilize. This leaves a large portion of wasted space in the rear where nothing can be stored. It's not uncommon for cabinets to have nearly 50% unused capacity simply due to limited shelf depth.
Pull out shelves fix this problem by enabling you to access the entire depth of the cabinet interior. The shelves roll out up to 2 feet or more, allowing you to capitalize on every inch of available space. You instantly double your usable storage without the need for cabinet renovations.
Create Organized Storage
Disorganization leads to chaos, especially in confined kitchen environments. When everything gets tossed randomly into cabinets, you can spend more time searching than cooking. Pull out shelves allow you to neatly categorize contents so everything has a dedicated place.
For example, you can assign shelves to canned goods, baking items, drinkware, spices, etc. This makes locating what you need effortless. Just open the cabinet and go right to the correct shelf without sorting through a cluttered mess. Pull outs essentially turn your cabinets into optimized vertical pantries.
Save Time Finding Items
Trying to locate a saucepan for making dinner shouldn't feel like an archaeological excavation. Dedicated pull out shelves for your various cookware and utensils enable you to see contents at a glance. You'll know exactly where to reach when you need a particular item, saving you valuable minutes of searching at meal time.
Types of Pull Out Cabinet Shelves
Standard Pull Out Shelves
The most basic pull outs consist of sliding shelves made from materials like stainless steel, wood, or durable plastic. Their smooth ball bearing slides enable you to fully extend the shelf from the cabinet to access anything in the back.
Standard pull outs come in set widths and heights. You can choose options specifically sized for base cabinets or wall cabinets in your kitchen. There is some flexibility to cut shelves down for a custom fit if needed.
Tiered and Stacked Pull Outs
For vertically challenged cabinets, tiered or stacked pull outs allow you to maximize height. These consist of an upper and lower shelf on a single slide out frame. The elevated shelf creates a second level for storage without requiring more cabinet space.
Stacked pull outs are great for fitting bulky cookware and baking sheets on the lower shelf while storing smaller items like spices and jars overhead. They let you allocate separate shelf purposes while condensing items in one compact space.
Drawer Pull Outs
As the name suggests, drawer pull outs combine a sliding drawer with integrated shelves. These are excellent for storing utensils, cutlery, cooking tools, and other smaller items that can get jumbled in normal drawers.
The divided shelf compartments neatly separate everything into organized groups. Integrated drawer storage keeps items concealed while maximizing cabinet cubic footage compared to regular shelves.
Custom Pull Outs
If you have uniquely shaped cabinets or need to work around obstructions like pipes, custom pull outs can provide a tailored solution. Skilled craftsmen build these to match your exact cabinet interior dimensions.
Custom shelves allow even difficult cabinet spaces to become functional with pull out storage. Though more expensive, they can be essential for unusually sized or shaped cabinetry.
Installing Pull Out Shelves in Your Kitchen Cabinets
Assess Your Cabinet Box Sizes
First and foremost, carefully measure the interiors of your cabinet boxes before purchasing any pull outs. Note the width, height, and depth of each area you intend to install shelves.
Be sure to account for any interior obstructions like crossbars or pipes that could impact shelf fit. Knowing your precise cabinet dimensions will ensure you get properly sized pull outs.
Plan Shelf Layout
Map out your planned shelf configurations before ordering. Determine the ideal locations in each cabinet to install pull outs based on what you intend to store. Positioning shelves appropriately for your kitchen workflow is key.
Also decide which pull out types you need for each space. For example, stacked pull outs for pots and pans or drawer pull outs for utensil storage. Planning will help you buy the right shelves.
Purchase Compatible Pull Outs
Use your measurements to find pull out shelves that fit into each cabinet area, paying attention to shelf depths. Acquire any necessary mounting hardware like side mounting brackets or rear clips that your specific pull outs require.
Double check that the combined shelf and hardware widths don't exceed your measured cabinet openings. Carefully buying the right size shelves provides a smooth installation.
Install Shelves Properly
Before loading any contents, fully extend and close each shelf to confirm it slides smoothly without catching. Ensure all mounting points are secure and level so shelves don't sag under weight.
Verify that installed shelves don't obstruct any surrounding drawers or cabinet doors. Your pull outs should integrate seamlessly into your cabinet storage system when done.
Buying Considerations for Pull Out Shelves
Several factors go into choosing the best pull outs for your kitchen:
- Material - Most commonly metal, wood, or plastic based on durability needs
- Weight rating - Ensure shelves support your heaviest items
- Slide quality - Should roll smoothly without wobbling
- Warranty - Look for at least 1 year on defects
Additionally, seek shelves from reputable brands known for quality manufacturing and materials. High-end pull outs perform better and last longer than flimsy variants.
Best Practices for Using Pull Out Shelves
To keep your pull outs functioning optimally:
- Categorize shelves - Assign shelf purposes like cans, baking pans, etc.
- Use dividers - Further organize contents in shelf compartments
- Label shelves - Designate content types for easy identification
- Watch weight limits - Avoid overloading shelves past capacity
With routine use over time, lubricating slide mechanisms and tightening mounting screws periodically will prevent any looseness issues.
If your kitchen cabinets are filled to the brim but still lack accessible organization, pull out shelves provide the solution. Stop wasting precious storage space and turn your chaotic cabinets into optimized pantries with adjustable slide out storage.
Pull outs make everything easily reachable while neatly designating a home for all your supplies. Added storage capacity, time savings, and less hassle locating items are just some of the benefits. Bring your cabinets into the 21st century and maximize their potential with the simple addition of pull out shelves!
Browse the many pull out shelf options online for your specific cabinet dimensions and storage needs. With some advance planning and proper installation, you can affordably upgrade your kitchen in a single weekend. Just sit back and envision the cabinet space and sanity you'll regain.