How to Replace Kitchen Cabinet Shelves

If you've had your cabinets since you moved into your home, it's only natural that you're a little confused on how to replace kitchen cabinet shelves. If you take a look at the shelves in your cabinets, they appear like simple hardware pieces to install, but in reality, they can be challenging to use if not installed properly.

The first thing you need to do is consider your use for kitchen cabinet shelves. Are you a cook who loves to prepare your own meals or a person who makes dinner every night? Consider what function you would like your cabinets to serve before purchasing them.

You also need to understand the dimensions of your kitchen cabinets before shopping for replacement parts. Many products are sold for smaller kitchen cabinets and not for larger ones, so it is important to know what your size is before you begin the process of replacing them.

Some cabinet parts will require you to cut into the walls of your cabinets in order to access the shelves. If this is the case, you should consider measuring and cutting the wall before you begin.

Removing cabinet shelves will require you to remove the cabinet doors of the drawers. Be sure to protect yourself with a good quality grade non-skid mat.

Now it's time to carefully pry off the screws and fasteners from the cabinet doors. If any are not completely removed, use a few screwdrivers and an appropriately sized tap to pry them off. You should also check and make sure that the cabinet washers that are used are well greased and fully tightened.

Remove the shelves by sliding the casters out of the door frame and unscrewing them. Replace them with new ones, but be careful to make sure that you don't put any more weight on them as you will risk cracking them.

Follow the same process for the remaining screws that are holding the wall panels in place. If necessary, use pliers to turn the screws back if they are stuck. You should be careful when lifting the wall panels, since there could be a drop or two on the way down if you get the hang of it.

Removing kitchen cabinet shelves can be difficult and frustrating if you are not prepared. You should expect to spend anywhere from five to eight hours doing the job, but it will all be worth it once you see the difference that your cabinets have.

As you will see in the pictures below, if you carefully replace the kitchen cabinet shelves, you can transform the look of your cabinets. The cabinets can also become more functional and easier to use as well.

You can even add even more storage space if you remove the doors from the space you have to work with. You can add a built-in cabinet if you really need more cabinets for your needs.

Take your time and consider how much time and effort you are willing to invest in the project of replacing kitchen cabinet shelves. It's always best to start small and work your way up as you go.