Pull Out Pantry - Refrigerator Wall Gap

Sandy O'Konek
by Sandy O'Konek
7 Materials
$175
2 Days
Easy

The original owner of the house we've remodeled had a huge thermador refrigerator for years, so the space for the refrigerator area was larger than most. We purchased a 28 CF refrigerator, and I always wanted to build a roll out pantry next to it to fill the gap. The contractor who installed our counter wanted $1800 to build the cabinets around the space. We chose to do it ourselves (like most of the house) and this week we built the roll out pantry. I'll start looking for the cabinets I want to install across the top of the space next week.

I searched on line and found some decent completed projects to determine how to do ours. We opted for white pine trim wood and purchased 2 pieces that were 1x12x8 to do the sides (71" in length) and the top/bottom (25 wide) pieces. Then we used 1x10x8 to cut 4 shelves 25 inches in length. I cut the frame and shelf pieces first, then cut small 2 inch wide pieces from the left over 1x10's to put as supports under the shelves (8 total). Prior to putting the frame together, I installed the shelf supports on each side at the same location (from the top my shelf spacing was approximately 9 1/2", 16", 9 1/2", 16" and 16". I used wood glue and a nail gun with 1 1/2 inch brads to attach the top and bottom to the sides, with the sides attached to the outside of the top and bottom piece. I bought a piece of Masonite, and laid the frame down on the Masonite to sketch out the size to cut for the back of the shelving unit. I installed the Masonite using wood lathe screws after pre-drilling the holes. (lathe screws have a washer type top around the screw head) . We used 1/2 inch dowel rods to put in the front of some of the shelves. I made a template to mark the holes for the dowel rods: cut a piece of left over lumber of 1x12 4" tall, then use a drill press with a 1/2 " paddle drill bit to put it exactly where the dowel rod should be inserted. This allowed me to mark the location for the bit on both sides without doing any measuring, simple set the template on the shelf and mark the hole! We counter sunk the hole for the dowel on the front board for asthetics, and cut through the wood on the back board to inset the dowel rod. Prior to adding the wheels, I added one more piece of wood to the top and the bottom of the frame for stability, but this piece was 26 inches long, and overlapped where the top and bottom were attached to the sides. This allowed me to screw in 4 non-swiveling caster wheels on the bottom with 1" wood screws. I opted to add some extra trim board at the top and bottom to hide the 2 layers of wood, and purchased corner molding to hide the rough edges of the Masonite on the back.

My copper colored handle should be here Monday, and I'll update the photos with the handle installed later.

Assembled cabinet with dowel rods

Best pull out pantry!

Feeling inspired but don't have the tools or time to make this project? This is the pull out pantry that Amazon reviewers swear by!


After assembling all the parts, it was time to paint. I had painted both sides of the the frame boards, and one side of the shelves prior to assembly. Lesson learned, paint the whole thing first! It would have been easier in the long run!

Painted cabinet

I used semi gloss white to paint everything except the board facing the kitchen. I used the same color of the cabinets (look under my photo for other projects and to see my kitchen cabinet remodel last year.)

Adding wood trim to top and bottom

I used my chop saw to cut 45 degree cuts on the edges of the trim at the top and bottom, then attached with 1 inch brads with my finish nail gun.

Back of cabinet

I put 3 coats of white paint on the back of the masonite.

Adding cabinet embellishments

I have a cherry blossom stencil that I've used on all my cabinets in the kitchen. I use Dap Wall Board Joint Compound and a putty knife/scraper to fill in the stencil with compound. This gives a raised embellishment on the cabinet. Allow to dry overnight, then lightly sand to remove any raised lines left from the knife. Paint the entire design with latex paint. This protects it from disolving! 2 coats of paint is better!

Cherry blossoms drying

Both designs added, waiting overnight for total drying.

Back end of cabinet

I forgot to say you have to determine which direction you'll be pulling things out of the cabinet, to know which will be your front and back side of the pull out pantry.

Pull out pantry installed

I actually let it dry in the house, I had to make sure it fit the gap. The cabinets that will go above the fridge and cabinet will still allow some space directly above the refrigerator (about 2 inches).

Painted the front to match

I applied paint to match the other kitchen cabinets over the raised blossoms and front edge of the shelving unit.

Adding antiquing glaze

After the paint dried, I added the antiquing glaze to the front of the cabinet. Makes the flower design stand out nicely!

Acrylic paint added to design

Next I painted the design to match the rest of the kitchen cabinets, and added the corner trim to hide the edges of the Masonite.

Pantry stocked

I decided what I wanted to store in the cabinet and moved all the products onto the shelves. It is very stable, and rolls easily in and out of the space.

Pull out pantry

Project completed! Have to look for cabinets next and install the handle when it arrives Monday!

The copper colored handle arrived and a reader reminded me I hadn't posted the photo, here it is. It matches the handle on the barn door for the pantry.

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  3 questions
  • User User on Mar 10, 2021

    I noticed you didn’t add a handle to pull the unit out (a handle to match your other cupboards). Is there a reason for that?

  • Al Pagano Al Pagano on Mar 30, 2021

    nice, does it mark the floor? does it mark the wall?

  • Elaine Elaine on Feb 25, 2024

    I have a question - I put rolling casters on a narrow cupboard but seems to tip when I move it - Is there a remedy for this?

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  • Tootsie meece Tootsie meece on Oct 20, 2023

    Thanks for posting this- I have the same issue and can’t wait to try this. Big new refrigerator & an 18” space but I can’t build a permanent cabinet since it wouldn’t allow me to access the refrigerator hookups. So this, being on castors will be just what I need! I’ll share pics of my build. Awesome!

  • Sandy O'Konek Sandy O'Konek on Oct 23, 2023

    Can't wait to see your design, you'll love it when it's done!


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