Diy Pot And Pan Organizer

If you're tired of the chaos in your kitchen, it's time to get handy and build your own pot and pan organiser. This DIY project is perfect for those wanting to maximise their cabinet space and bring order to their cookware collection. By creating a custom pull-out drawer, you'll be able to easily access your pots and pans without the hassle of stacking and rummaging. With just a few tools and some patience, you can transform that useless corner of your cabinet into a functional storage solution. So, get ready to measure, cut, and assemble your way to a more organised kitchen!

Planning and measuring

For example, if your interior cabinet width is 34.5", and you're adding ledger boards that are 1.5" wide on either side, your drawer size will be:

5" (interior cabinet width) - 1.5" (width of ledger board) x 2 (as there are two ledger boards) - 1" (for drawer slides) = 30.5" (drawer size).

A standard drawer depth for cabinets is typically between 21" and 22".

Additionally, consider the height of your organiser. If you have a shelf in the upper part of the cabinet that you want to access, ensure the height of your organiser allows for sufficient space. For instance, if you require 15" of space for the upper shelf, your organiser's height should be 15" to accommodate your pans.

Once you've determined these measurements, you can create a cut list for your wood pieces. Here's an example formula:

• (2) pieces at W (desired width) - 1" x D (desired depth) for the top and bottom.
• (2) pieces at H (desired height) x D for the sides.
• (10) pieces at H - 0.5" x H - 1 1/8" for the dividers.
• (2) pieces at 2.5 x W - 1 for the back supports.

After finalising your measurements and cut list, you're ready to move on to the next step of cutting your wood and assembling your organiser.

Building the drawer

Firstly, open your drawer slides and read the directions. This will tell you exactly how much clearance you need on either side of the drawer. For example, if you are using side-mount slides, you will need 1/2" clearance on either side of the drawer to account for the slide mechanism.

Secondly, to ensure your drawer can pull out past the hinges, you need to measure from door hinge to door hinge, rather than from side to side of the cabinet. If your drawer fits inside the cabinet but gets caught on the hinges, it won't function properly.

Thirdly, decide how you will mount the drawer. If you plan to add ledger boards to the side of your cabinet to attach the drawer slides to, you need to take the width of these into account as well.

> Interior cabinet width – size of ledger board (x2) – 1″ = drawer size

For example, if your interior cabinet width is 34.5", and the width of your ledger board is 1.5", your calculation would be:

5" - (1.5" x 2) - 1" = 30.5"

Once you've figured out the width of your drawer, it's time to decide on the depth. For most standard cabinets, a good drawer depth is 21" or 22."

Now you're ready to cut your pieces of wood. For a 30.5" x 22" drawer, you will need to cut the following pieces of plywood:

• Two pieces at 27.5″ x 4″ (the sides)
• Two pieces at 22″ x 4″ (the ends)
• One piece at 30.5″ x 22″ (the bottom)

Remember, when you fit the drawer pieces together, the 22" pieces will sit on the outside of the longer pieces, adding to the width of the board. So, you need to subtract the thickness of the plywood from your measurements.

After cutting those pieces, grab your 1/4″ plywood and cut a piece that will fit exactly on the bottom of your drawer.

Now you're ready to assemble the drawer. You can do this in a few different ways, but one of the easiest and fastest ways is to use a Kreg Jig to add some pocket holes. Simply drill two pocket holes on either end of your longer pieces, then add some wood glue and assemble a box. Use corner clamps to help you hold things in place while you work to ensure everything is square.

After you've added all your pocket holes and screwed things into place, grab your 1/4" plywood, add glue around the perimeter of your box, and use a pin nailer to nail the bottom of the drawer into place.

Remember that with this method of drawer-building, the drawer won't be able to hold super heavy things – the bottom could eventually separate from the rest of the drawer. If you're planning on putting larger and heavier things in your drawer, you may need to use an alternative method, such as glue and nails.

Drilling pocket holes

Step 1: Measure and Mark

Before drilling, carefully measure the wood pieces that will form the sides of your drawer. Mark the locations for the pocket holes, ensuring they are evenly spaced and aligned correctly. The number of pocket holes may vary depending on the size of your project, but typically, two pocket holes on each end of the longer pieces should suffice.

Step 2: Drill the Pocket Holes

Using a drill bit that matches the size of your pocket hole screws, slowly and carefully drill into the marked locations. Maintain a steady speed and pressure to ensure the holes are straight and uniform in depth. Take your time with this step, as accurate drilling is essential for a secure assembly.

Step 3: Clean Up the Holes

Once the holes are drilled, use a small file or sandpaper to smooth out any rough edges or splinters around the holes. This step ensures that your screws will fit cleanly and securely into the pocket holes without any obstruction.

Step 4: Test Fit the Screws

Before proceeding, it's a good idea to test the fit of your screws in the pocket holes. Insert the screws into the holes and ensure they sit flush and tight. This step will help you identify any potential issues and make adjustments if needed.

Step 5: Assemble the Drawer

With your pocket holes drilled, you can now assemble the box for your drawer. Apply wood glue to the joints and use clamps to hold the pieces together. Then, drive the screws into the pocket holes, tightening them securely but being careful not to overtighten.

Step 6: Attach the Bottom

After assembling the box, attach the bottom piece of your drawer. Apply wood glue to the perimeter of the box and use a pin nailer to secure the bottom piece in place. Ensure the bottom is flush with the sides of the drawer for a neat finish.

Remember, pocket holes create strong joints, but they are not meant for heavy loads. If you plan to store heavier items in your pot and pan organizer, consider using additional reinforcement methods or a different assembly technique.

Adding drawer slides

Step 1: Measuring and Planning

Before installing the drawer slides, it is important to carefully measure and plan. Open your drawer slides and read the directions provided. The directions will specify the required clearance on either side of the drawer. For example, you may need 1/2" clearance on both sides of the drawer to accommodate the slide mechanism.

Additionally, consider the type of drawer slides you will be using. Side-mount slides and under-mount slides require different installation methods. If you have face-frame cabinets, you may need to add ledger boards on the sides of the cabinet to attach the drawer slides, ensuring they don't get caught on the frame of the door.

Step 2: Determining the Drawer Size

To find the correct width for your drawer, use the following formula: Interior cabinet width – Size of ledger board (x2) – Clearance (on both sides) = Drawer width. For instance, if your interior cabinet width is 34.5", and you need 1.5" for the ledger boards and 1" for the clearance, your drawer width would be 30.5".

Step 3: Building the Drawer

After determining the width, it's time to cut the pieces for your drawer. Cut four pieces of plywood according to your measurements. For example, if your drawer size is 30.5" x 22", cut two pieces at 27.5" x 4" and two pieces at 22" x 4". The longer pieces will form the sides of the drawer, and the shorter pieces will be the front and back.

Step 4: Assembling the Drawer

Now, it's time to assemble the drawer. Drill pocket holes on both ends of the longer pieces and add wood glue. Then, assemble the pieces into a box. Use corner clamps to ensure that the drawer is square. After screwing the pieces together, you should have an empty square frame.

Step 5: Adding the Bottom

Grab your 1/4" plywood and cut a piece that fits exactly inside your drawer frame. Apply glue around the perimeter of the frame and use a pin nailer to attach the bottom piece.

Step 6: Installing the Drawer Slides

With the drawer built, test the fit in your cabinet. Install the ledger boards on the sides of the cabinet if necessary. Then, install the drawer slides on top of the ledger boards, following the specific directions provided with your slides. Remember to ignore the measurements regarding how far forward to place the slides, as you want the drawer to sit back inside the cabinet.

Step 7: Attaching Slides to the Drawer

Center the drawer slides on the sides of your drawer and attach them. Sand down the sides of the drawer if needed to ensure a smooth sliding motion.

By following these steps, you will successfully add drawer slides to your pot and pan organizer, creating a functional and efficient storage solution for your pots and pans.

Testing and fitting

Once you've built your pot and pan organiser, it's time to test and fit it into your cabinet. This process will differ depending on the type of organiser you've built.

If you've built a pull-out drawer, you'll want to test that it slides in and out smoothly before adding any dividers. You may need to sand down the sides or edges to ensure a smooth fit. If your cabinet has face-frames, you may need to add ledger boards to the sides to push out the drawer slides and prevent the drawer from getting caught on the frame of the door.

If you've built a simple insert for a pull-out tray, test that it fits like a glove in the tray. You can then load it up with your pots and pans.

If you've built a hanging rack or installed a pegboard, you'll want to test that it's sturdy enough to support the weight of your cookware. Ensure that it's mounted securely to the wall or ceiling, and always check the weight limit. If your ceilings are high, consider lengthening the chain so that you can reach the pots and pans more easily.

If you're using a cabinet for storage, the organisation is key. Stack your pots and pans in size order and use a cookware rack as a divider to keep them organised and scratch-free. You can also store lids in a separate drawer to save space.

Frequently asked questions