12 Easy Steps To Build Under Sink Storage Trays

Let’s organize everything in the kitchen, starting with the kitchen sink!  Easily build custom under sink storage trays in just 12 easy steps.  All it takes is an afternoon using products you can purchase from your local home improvement store.  This is a great beginner do it yourself project as all of the cuts you’ll need to make are simple, straight cuts.  So grab your measuring tape and let’s get to work.

Tools You Will Need

• Air Compressor
• Air Hose
• Clamps
• Cordless Drill
• Nail Gun
• Safety Glasses
• Tape Measure
• Table Saw or Circular Saw

Materials You Will Need:

• 1-5/8″ wood screws (about 12)
• 1/2″ plywood for bases and tray bottoms (2’X2′ boards will work for most projects).  You’ll need up to 4 of these.
• 1X4 for the tray walls (16′ will work for most projects)
• 1X6 for the base sidewalls (8′ will work for most projects)
• Ball bearing drawer glides (length will vary depending on the depth of your cabinet, this example used a 14″ and a 20″)
• Wood Glue
•  Finish Nails
•  Sandpaper (around 120 grit)

 

You will need to adapt the project to fit your specific measurements.  And be sure to account for any plumbing and electrical that may be under your sink.  

Step 1

Before you begin to build your custom under sink slider trays for your kitchen, you need to take measurements.  First measure the width of your cabinet on the inside of the frame.  You’ll want to cut the base 1/4″ narrower.  Then measure the depth.  Remember to measure around any plumbing and electrical that may be located inside your kitchen sink cabinet.  In this example there was a lot of plumbing located on the right side of the cabinet, so we made one slider tray 6″ shorter than the other one to accommodate that.  

 

Measure cabinet opening

Step 2

Hit the local home improvement store to gather all of the materials that you will need.

Step 3

Cut all of the pieces that you will need to build the bases.  The bases are what you will attach to the bottom of your kitchen sink cabinet, and then attach your slider trays to.  Use the 1/2″ plywood for the base bottoms, and the 1X4 boards for the base sides, which we will call the “sidewalls”.  

Step 4

“Dry fit” the pieces under your sink to ensure they will fit around your plumbing.  Check the fronts to see where the side walls lay, does it look there will be room for the trays to slide out once you get those installed?  Make any adjustments needed.  

 

Check to ensure the pieces fit under the sink before proceeding

Step 5

Give all of the pieces you’ve cut for the bases a light sanding.  120 grit will work fine, or whatever you have on hand in the medium-fine category.  

Step 6

Take some wood glue and apply a thin line along each of the longer sides of your base bottoms.  Then clamp the sidewalls to the base bottom, drill pilot holes, and screw sidewalls in to the base bottoms using the 1-5/8″ wood screws.  Use three screws on each sidewall (one for each end and one in the middle).  

 

Glue and screw the sidewalls on to the base bottoms.

 

 

Here is what your bases should now look like

Step 7

Attach the gliders to the base bottom sidewalls.  Follow the package insert directions.  Separate the inner glider from the outer glider (the part that contains the ball bearings) and attach the outer glider to the sidewalls.  Use a 3/4″ spacer made out of scrap wood to use a guide to keep the gliders level.  Ensure the glider is flush with the front edge of the sidewall.  Slide open the glider to expose the mounting holes.  Drill pilot holes and then screw them to the sidewalls.

Keep in mind the ball bearing glides are meant to be mounted on the sides, not the bottom.  The glides need 1/2″ of space between the sidewall and the tray wall to work properly.  You will be cutting your tray bottom 1″ shorter than the width of your base to allow enough distance for the gliders to glide smoothly.  

 

Attach the outer glider to the sidewall

Step 8

Cut all of the pieces needed for the trays.  The trays are what will slide in and out of the bases and will hold all of your storage items.  Use 1/2″ plywood for tray bottoms and 1X6 boards for the tray sides.  You’ll need to measure the width of your bases first, take that measurement and subtract 1″, and use that new measurement for your tray bottom.  This will allow for 1/2″ of room on each side for your gliders.  The depth measurement of your base will be the same for your tray.  In this example, the left side base is 14-1/4″ wide by  22″ deep, so we will cut the tray bottom to be 13-1/4″ wide by 22″ deep.  Then cut all of the pieces that will make up the tray sides.  

 

Measure the inside width of the base and subtract 1″ to make the tray bottom

Step 9

Lightly sand the tray pieces just like you did with the base pieces earlier.  

Step 10

Apply some wood glue to the tray bottom to attach the sides to, then nail the sides to the tray bottom, and nail each side to one another.  

 

Apply wood glue to tray bottom and sides

 

 

Nail sides to tray bottom

Step 11

Attach inner gliders to the outer tray sides.  Use the same 3/4″ spacer as a guide to keep the glider level.  Remember to keep the glider flush with the front of the tray.  

Step 12

Secure the base to the bottom of your kitchen cabinet.  After that you can slide in your trays and begin using your new custom built under sink storage trays!  

 

 

Attach the inner glider to the tray

 

 

Secure the base to the kitchen cabinet

 

 

Finishing Up

Now that you have your custom under sink pull out storage trays all complete, it might be a good idea to coat it with some polyurethane or a fresh coat of paint.  If doing this, it is recommended to apply the paint or polyurethane before attaching the drawer glides.  

You can also build these for other cabinets in your kitchen, pantry, bathrooms, garage.  The possibilities are endless.  Just use the same steps outlined here for any other space in your home that you’d like to add some functional organization to.  

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