I orignially planned on building the drawers for my kitchen remodel. But then I ran into a couple hurdles that changed my mind. I ended up ordering custom drawers that are 100 times nicer than what I would have built myself and I am 200% happy with my decision to spend the money!
I’ve built hundreds of drawers in my life but I build easy drawers: pocket hole screws, half lap joints, butt joints with glue and screws if I don’t care what it looks like. I have been vacillating on the drawer material and technique for a while because this is my kitchen — my kind of kickass, sort of high-endish kitchen remodel. I always wanted to do dovetail joints — just because that’s the old school technique that is used on wood drawers on all the high end cabinets I’ve ever examined. I almost purchased a dovetail jig ($400) so that I could build these properly but then I also have the issue of the material. I didn’t realize that to get the common 5/8″ thick wood drawer material, people purchase stock 3/4″-1″ and plane it down.
I thought I would be able to find 5/8″ drawer side material –somewhere. Nope! If it does exist and you know where to find it PLEASE tell me where!
I bought a gazillion feet of drawer side material that is 1/2″ thick, pre-finished plywood with the drawer bottom dado already routed out and thought maybe I could talk myself into using that…I couldn’t. I built one drawer and realized I would never be happy with those drawers in my kitchen.
SOoo, I shipped my drawers!
I went online and searched and searched and searched (through TONS of companies that build custom drawers or custom drawer kits that you put together) for exactly what I wanted.
I found my drawers at QuikDrawers.com. What I wanted was, 5/8″ solid wood with dovetail joints and 1/2″ bottoms because a lot of my drawers will hold dishes and pots and pans and my drawers are quite large so I wanted them to be super sturdy. They came completely finished as well as being routed and predrilled for MY drawer glides!
They’re so pretty. I can’t wait to get them installed and FINALLY have some drawers!
kerry says
I love getting new drawers too,…..ahhhh,….the simple pleasures,…. 😉 I’ve ordered from them too. Very nice.
Cat Hoehn says
Can’t believe you’re showin’ your drawers in publik! ;P
Catriona Johnstone says
They look wonderful. You didn’t say what wood they used. Was it Ash?
Mike says
What was the cost per drawer?
Cheri says
I had no idea this was an option…
And that’s an interesting point about the bottoms being made sturdy enough to carry the load. I have pull-out shelves in my pantry whose bottoms are sagging under the weight of cans, etc. Oy. Wish I’d known to address this when I had them installed. (in my pre- Sawdust Girl days. 😉 Thanks for all the info you post.
MarieRoxanne says
I love having dishes and stuff in drawers. I have my spices and pots and pans in drawers but like Cheri above me says, mine are also sagging under the weight, just waiting for extra money to rectify the situation
Ayisha says
Do you know what the thickness of your drawer bottoms are that are sagging? I’d like to avoid this prior to building my pantry doors.
Ayisha says
I was just browsing the Purebond website and they claim to have 5/8″ maple drawer sides that already have the dado in them for 1/4″ & 1/2″ bottoms. They are prefinished and come in widths up to 12″. I’d assume you would have to order a large quantity and place your order through a fabricator but it’s nice to know that there is a option. I’m interested enough that I’m going to do some more investigating.
Ayisha says
Oh I just realized that you wanted “solid” wood. Nevermind.
Guerrina says
LOVE dovetail joints! When out thrifting it is always one of the things I look for! Yay for you – awesome choice!
Jake's a Girl says
They are perfect. And dovetails make me swoon. Tis the first thing I look for when buying furniture/antiques and such. Great choice. I’ll check them out. Thanks!
JaG