You’ve Been Wasting This Kitchen Space All Along—Here’s the Fix

I’m a big fan of the motto, A place for everything and everything in its place.

And when it comes to kitchens, this rule is even more important. These hardworking rooms tend to become collection zones for everything, so the more places you have to put things, the better.

One of the ways to sneak some extra storage into the kitchen is by utilizing the dead space below kitchen base cabinets.

Now, you can hire a custom cabinet maker to install these under-cabinet storage, but it comes at a price that isn’t exactly appetizing.

IKEA hacker, Simone @Charcoal.toffee.shade_of_jade, created an easy-to-use under-cabinet storage using slide-out organizers and IKEA UTRUSTA push openers.

Simone said that if she had known how easy it was to do, she would have done it sooner!

So, if you need more storage, don’t wait! Try this hidden storage hack and enjoy a more organized kitchen in no time!

What You’ll Need

• Slide-out drawers with adhesive rails (as many as you need to fit below cabinets)
• IKEA UTRUSTA push openers (one for each drawer)
• Vacuum
• Mounting adhesive
• Screws
• Basics — Screwdriver or screw gun, saw, tape measure, pencil

How to Sneak More Storage Underneath Cabinets

1. Remove the Kick Plate

Remove the kick plate below your kitchen cabinets to access the space. Vacuum out the area and make sure the floor surface is clean so the adhesive on the drawers sticks well. Set the kick plate aside — you’ll be reattaching it later.

2. Install the Drawers

Adhesive rails make these slide-outs super easy to install. Simone used these pull-out organizers, but there are various types available, depending on your location, including these adjustable slide-out organizers.

Measure your under-cabinet space to decide the best size and number of drawers for your needs. Also, before placing the rails, measure how far back to put them, accounting for the UTRUSTA openers. Make sure the openers reach where they need to so the push mechanism can engage.

3. Cut and Reattach the Kick Plate

Measure and cut the kick plate to accommodate the drawers so you can open them individually. You’re essentially converting the kick plate into drawer fronts. Mount the newly cut pieces onto the slide-outs with heavy-duty adhesive.

4. Add the UTRUSTA Push Openers

Simone said she glued one UTRUSTA push opener to the center of each drawer. Then, the next day, she screwed them into place.

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A post shared by Simone | Japandi Interieur & DIY (@charcoal.toffee.shade_of_jade)

A Few Extra Tidbits for This Under-Cabinet Storage Hack

When I was reading in various places about the UTRUSTA push openers, a few people mentioned that they can get a bit tricky when drawers get heavy. The hacker didn’t mention having this issue, but she’s also stashing lightweight snacks.

Therefore, if you plan to store more substantial items in your under-cabinet drawers, consider the weight of these items. Again, this might not be a problem at all, but I think it’s worth having a heads-up about.

If the regular UTRUSTA openers aren’t powerful enough, IKEA does have an electric UTRUSTA push opener. However, if you opt for the electrical opener, it would increase your cost substantially (they’re $130 each).

It’s certainly something worth thinking about before you embark on the project. Alternatively, you could add slim pulls or create a notch in the drawer fronts to assist with opening.

Price of this hack: Approximately $125 for three drawers (with regular push openers)

Time to complete: One hour for three drawers

Check out the hack and follow Simone @Charcoal.toffee.shade_of_jade for more inspiring ideas!

Got an IKEA hack of your own? We want to see it! Submit your project here or tag us on Instagram @ikeahackersofficial. 

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