Constantly Losing Things On Your Kitchen Shelves? This Upgrade Is For You

The pain of losing your favorite mug in a sea of disorganized glassware is one we know all too well. No matter how hard we try, it seems like we're destined for a constant battle with messy kitchen cabinets. Fortunately for you, there's a simple kitchen upgrade that can turn your shelves into a paragon of organization. All you need is a set of pull-out shelves.

Pull-out shelves are shelves that, as the name implies, pull out like drawers. With them, you can easily access the entirety of the shelf at once, instead of just the front row of items, making it far easier to organize and reach for that perfect mug or bowl. You can install pull-out shelves just about anywhere in your kitchen where shelves are found, like your pantry and cabinets.

You can find pull-out shelf sets for any size or shape of cabinet, and many have found that they're especially handy for awkward spaces like deep cabinets or ones so low to the ground that you have to crouch just to get into them. You would be surprised just how much of a difference simple kitchen upgrades like labeling your cabinets or installing pull-out shelves make in your everyday life.

While you can get pull-out shelves installed professionally, kitchen remodels get expensive fast. So, if you're feeling handy and want to save some money, you can also DIY your shelves — it's just going to take time and effort. First, get a set of pull-out shelves that will fit the intended cabinet or pantry. You can have shelves custom-made to fit your kitchen or get standard-size ones if they'll fit. Alternatively, you can build shelves yourself or adapt your current ones, though it will require some degree of woodworking skills, and you will still need to purchase slides and hardware elsewhere.

The actual process of installing your pull-out shelves can vary depending on where you get them and their exact design. Some only need you to install screws at a few points in the bottom of your cabinet, while others may require you to install slides on the sides of your cabinets. Always take careful measurements beforehand to ensure you have the correct size shelves, and follow any and all instructions that come with them.

When installing your pull-out shelves, you ought to remove your cabinet doors for the duration of the project to make the rest of the process easier. You'll also obviously need to remove your existing shelves and all of their contents. While you're at it, to ensure a safe and clutter-free working environment, you're best off temporarily moving everything on your countertops, like toasters and knife sets, out of the kitchen.