How to Update Kitchen Drawers

Refinishing kitchen drawers and adding new fixtures can change your kitchen's look.

One of the most valued returns of your investment in a home remodel is a kitchen upgrade. The kitchen is used every day, and the wear and tear starts to show in no time. Additionally, the kitchen dates the home when it comes time to sell. The color of appliances, counter tops, and cabinet doors, drawers and hardware are all indicators of a home's age. The do-it-yourself handyman can start a kitchen remodel by updating the cabinet drawers.

Things You'll Need

• Polyurethane
• Paintbrush
• Sanding sponge
• Drawer pulls
• Power screwdriver
• Drill
• 1/8-inch drill bit
• Drawer organizers
• Drawer glides
• Drawer fronts
• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Paper
• New dovetail drawers
• Pocket level
• Adjustable square
• Double sided tape
• Spring clamps

Instructions

Refinish

1. Refinish the existing cabinets. Lightly sand the drawer fronts with a fine sanding sponge to prepare the drawer for the new finish. Apply a new coat of polyurethane with a quality paintbrush.

2. Replace the old drawer pulls or add new drawer pulls to the drawer fronts. Open the drawer to gain access to the screw heads inside the drawer. Use a power screwdriver to remove and replace the old hardware. If adding drawer pulls, align the drawer pull jig with the center of the drawer and drill two 1/8-inch holes through the drawer front and the drawer. Place the screws through the holes and into the drawer pulls. Tighten with a power screwdriver.

3. Replace the old drawer glides. Unscrew the old drawer guides and replace with newer drawer glides. A Phillips screwdriver bit in a power screwdriver works best for this step.

4. Replace the old drawer fronts. There are many online sources for new drawer and door fronts. Measure the existing size, and the quantity of each before ordering. You have the option of having them pre-finished or left unfinished. Remove the old ones by opening the drawers and remove the screw from the inside of the drawer. Use a power screwdriver and a new Phillips bit for this step. A tape measure and paper will also be needed.

Replace

1. Remove the old drawers and drawer hardware from the cabinet. Measure the opening of each drawer noting the height, width and depth. Use a power screwdriver, pencil and paper for this step.

2. Order new drawers and drawer fronts from a cabinet shop. Bid your project with local cabinet shops and online suppliers. Ask for dovetail drawers of prefinished Maple hardwood. Also request that the drawers come with an undermount and soft-close drawer glide hardware.

3. Install the drawers by following the instructions for the drawer glide. You will need a power screwdriver and a pocket level for this step. Mark the face frame with the correct drawer overlay. This is normally 1/2 inch, but check the rough opening size to the drawer front. The drawer front should be 1 inch larger to provide a 1/2 inch overlay of the face frame. Use a adjustable square set to 1/2 inch to mark each corner with a pencil line for a guide line for the drawer placement. An adjustable square has an adjustment screw that is loosened so you can change the length of one leg of the square. This leg is marked like a metal ruler so you can set its length accurately.

4. Place two small pieces of double-sided tape onto the front of the drawer. Align the drawer front with the face frame using the marks from the previous step. Press the drawer firmly against the face frame. This will hold the drawer front to the drawer until you screw it in place. Open the drawer slowly and clamp the drawer front onto the drawer with a wood-working spring clamp. The clamp will help hold the drawer front in place as you attach the drawer front to the drawer with screws to secure it in place from inside the drawer. A power screwdriver works best for this step.

5. Add inserts to organize your kitchens drawers. Drawer organizers can be found online or at your cabinet supply store. Some of the most popular organizers are utensil, cutlery and knife blocks. You can get spice rack pullouts, plate holders and specialty hangers to update your kitchen, just to name a few of the options.

Tips & Warnings

• Sand, prime and paint your cabinets to give them a new look, or add a glaze for an old-world look.

• Wear safety glasses when using power tools.

References

• This Old House: Kitchen-Drawer Essentials
• Dynamic Drawers:Cutlery Trays, Dividers & Accessories
• Mlive: Replacing drawer slides