How to Build a Slide-out Pantry - DIY Home Improvement Guides - How to Repair and Remodel your Bathroom, Kitchen and more

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Home Improvement > Kitchen > How to Build a Slide-out Pantry

Build a kitchen pantry cabinet or organizer that slides out, offers adjustable shelves and provides more storage with less space.

Construct a custom roll-out pantry and refrigerator enclosure using birch-veneer plywood and pocket-hole joinery. This organizer occupies less space that the previous cupboards and counter while making room for a larger refrigerator, more kitchen storage and easy-access adjustable shelves or racks. The dual pantry frames slide out all the way, operate independently, and match the existing cabinetry.

Step by Step Instructions with Video

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Step
1

Plan the Pantry with a Cardboard Mock-Up and Computer Software

Make a cardboard mock-up to visualize the size of the pantry/cabinet. Plan it in detail with computer-assisted drawing software.
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Step
2

Remove All Components of the Existing Cabinets and Counter

Remove the doors and drawers from existing cabinets, after unscrewing hinges and drawer glides. Cut out cabinet frames, removing nails.
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Step
3

Cut and Pre-Drill Plywood Panels for the Kitchen Pantry Frame

Cut birch-veneer plywood panels on the table saw and pre-drill them for pocket-hole joinery with a special gig and bit.
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Step
4

Clamp, Glue, and Screw the Panels Together

Assemble the panels with glue and screws, using special pocket clamps to pull and hold the pieces tightly together.
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Step
5

Slip Bottom and Back Panels into Place in Routed Grooves

Slip the bottom panel into place and slide the quarter-inch plywood back into position in grooves routed for this purpose.
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Step
6

Reinforce the Pantry Frame to Face the Raw Edges

Use poplar strips and pocket-hole joinery to construct a face frame to cover raw edges and reinforce the pantry shell.
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Step
7

Construct Two Slide-out Shelving Units and Route for Shelf Hardware

Build two slide-out shelving units with dados/grooves for shelf standards. Install the hardware and glue and screw the pieces together.
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Step
8

Attach Full-extension Glides and Make Decorative Face Panels

Attach full-extension glides at the bottom and top of each slide-out pantry unit. Route decorative panels to face each unit.
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Step
9

Build and Face the Plywood Refrigerator Enclosure

Build the refrigerator enclosure of birch-veneer panels secured with pocket-hole joints. Face them with glued and nailed poplar strips.
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Step
10

Place and Secure the Pantry and Refrigerator Enclosure

Set the pantry and refrigerator enclosure in place, screwing them to studs and each other. Add support pins and shelves.
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