Remember when we had a trash compactor in our kitchen and removed it back in March? That empty space has finally been put to good use: we installed slide-out baskets to replace the compactor void.
It only took us three months to get around to it.
The gap left by the compactor was functional in its own quirky way (it doubled as a hiding spot for Clara), but we wanted that area to work harder. We explored options: a hidden trash or recycling bin, open shelving like we used in the master bath, or sliding baskets. Sliding baskets won because they consolidate dishcloths, cloth napkins, and paper napkins into one tidy spot and give us a chance to test whether this feature would be worth including in a future kitchen remodel.
With careful measurements in hand, Sherry found two baskets at HomeGoods that fit perfectly and matched the kitchen’s aesthetic. Almost left our tape measure there—close call.
Before installing the baskets, we had some cabinet work to do. I framed the opening to look like a proper cabinet by adding a board across the top and a toe-kick at the bottom. I attached a brace to the back of the existing cabinet lip and nailed the face pieces into place to create a solid, finished look.
Next, I built out the sides so they were flush with the outer cabinet lip. That ensured the drawer slides could be mounted without interference. I used scrap wood for most of the build, which always feels like a small victory when it works out.
To create the sliding drawers, I made frames with a Kreg Jig from 1.5″ square dowels. This was the most technical part: the frame needed to hold the tapered baskets snugly, fit inside the cabinet opening while allowing room for the drawer slides, and be thick enough for secure slide attachment. Since exact sizes vary, use these steps as a guideline and adjust to your own opening and baskets.
We chose ball-bearing, full-extension drawer slides from Home Depot. They’re pricier than basic rollers but provide smoother travel and soft-close action, which we liked for a kitchen application.
Following the slide manufacturer’s instructions, I detached the drawer-rail portion and screwed it to each side of the two frames. Marking screw locations, drilling pilot holes, and then fastening the screws made alignment simple and precise.
I mounted the rail along the bottom edge of each frame so the thicker cabinet rail section wouldn’t protrude above the frame when reassembled. That kept the faces clean and the mechanism flush.
Inside the cabinet, I held the frame in place, marked the cabinet rail positions, drilled pilot holes, and screwed the rails into the cabinet walls. It was easier with an extra set of hands to steady the frame and hold pieces while fastening. We tested level and alignment before fully tightening everything to ensure smooth operation.
After securing both sides, we reattached the drawer sections, slid the baskets in, and tested the action. The baskets fit snugly in the frames; we pressed them down slightly so they wouldn’t rattle.
We installed two basket drawers. We considered a third but only found two matching baskets and wanted to use the existing outlet in the cabinet—left behind for the removed compactor—for a small shelf and charging spot.
A simple shelf built from scrap wood became a charging station and a spot for a compact Bluetooth speaker. The shelf hides the outlet and gives the space a purpose beyond storage.
To finish the look, we added thin boards to the front of each drawer and the shelf for clean, consistent faces that also conceal the slide hardware. Then we stained the new pieces to better match the existing cabinets. We darkened the raw wood with a Dark Walnut coat and followed with three coats of PolyShades in Tudor to get a close match—close enough for our kitchen, though not perfect.
Sherry also picked up an inexpensive runner to hide the less-than-ideal laminate floor inside the cabinet opening. The baskets now hold dishtowels and paper napkins in the top drawer and cloth napkins in the bottom drawer, keeping those items consolidated and easy to access.
So far we’re really enjoying the sliding baskets. They maximize an awkward space and add useful storage without a major remodel. What small kitchen projects have you been tackling lately—painting, building, or updating? These baskets pushed us to think about the floors next, but for now we’re happy with this practical upgrade.