Hinge For False Drawer Front

SKIP TO HOW-TO

Replacing the false front of your sink with one of these tip out trays is one of those DIYS that looks like magic (hard) but is actually surprisingly easy. And the cost to convert your sink front into a useable space is only about $20.

White Martha Stewart shaker style cabinets.

Upon first inspection it's a common variety fake drawer front. And it was exactly that at one point until I installed a little tip out tray that makes this fake drawer front actually USEFUL.

I'm not sure why all kitchen cabinet makers don't just make all their fake drawer fronts into tip out trays from the get go – but they don't for some reason. After eating 7 macaroons and an entire bag of Ruffles with dip last night I'm in a particularly foul mood today … so I'm going with "they're just trying to anger me".

That little spot underneath the front of your sink is UNUSED space for keeping your counter tidy. Sure it can't hold a lot but it can hold a cloth, a scrubbie pad, a pot scraper and a little vial of dish soap. Those are 4 things that we use all the time and need to be able to grab quickly. I mean those of who aren't either royals or prisoners.

At the same time, I don't like leaving them on the counter because they weren't designed by Steve Jobs, the King (RIP) of simple design.

Karen Bertelsen removes the fake front panel in front of a sink.

Most false drawers like this are easy to remove. This Martha Stewart fake front is just attached with clips so you can pop it right off. Others might be attached with screws.

Pulling away a white shaker style front panel to add a Rev-a-shelf tray.

Once you get your front removed all you have to do is install your tray and hinges and you're well on your way to being the greatest person on your block. You'll invite friends and neighbours over for the sheer joy of making them jealous. Then you'll bonk them on the head to induce a little harmless short term memory loss, so you can show them all over again.

Kitchen sink with the cupboard doors beneath open and the false panel removed.

To do this DIY all you need are the proper hinges and of course the tray that will hold whatever it is you want to hold in there.

You can get the exact ones I have here online but most hardware stores carry some variation of it. This particular tip out tray is by Rev-A-Shelf.

If you buy a kit make sure it comes with the tray AND the hinges. The trays are also sold separately sometimes.

Rev-A-Shelf tip out tray kit.

You may as well do the easy part first to make you feel like you're accomplishing something immediately. It's the whole instant gratification thing.

So centre your tray and screw it in place. Make sure you pay attention to the closing and opening of the drawer so the tray doesn't interfere with that. There isn't a lot of wiggle room. The plastic clip you see on the right needs to be removed. It will be replaced with the specialty hinge.

Installing the plastic tray onto the back of a cupboard's false front.

Screwing the Rev-a-Shelf tray into the back of the drawer false front.

The hinges are marked left and right so there's no confusion. When you hold up your hands as though you're framing a picture, the hand that is in the shape of an "L" is your left hand. In case you were unsure. Don't worry. I won't judge you for not knowing. I will however judge you if you admit to liking canned cream of mushroom soup. For that I will judge.

The marked left and right hinges for a tip out tray laid on a marble countertop.

You will be installing the hinges on the edge of your opening.

Like so. Notice I am using the "R" hinge on the right side. Because I am clever. And held my hands up.

Fitting trip out tray hinge to side of cabinet front.

Place the hinge in the centre of your edge and mark your holes with a pencil. Drill your holes.

Tip down tray hinge being pulled out to reveal where to attach screw into cupboard face.

Install your screws. Do the same thing on the left side. I can't believe I had to tell you that.

Now hold your front panel in place, slide under the cabinet and mark where the holes that attach the hinge to the drawer front are. Don't worry. It'll make sense when you're doing it.

Here's an action shot for you.

Karen Bertelsen crouches under cabinet to install tip-out tray in kitchen cabinet.

Tip! Predrill your holes.

Predrilling a kitchen cabinet false front with a lime green ryobi drill to install hinges.

That'll make screwing into the hard material MUCH easier and neater.

Screwing a screw into a cabinet front with a pink screwdriver.

From underneath the cabinet (like you were when you were marking the hinge holes with a pencil) screw the hinge into the drawer front. You will be contorted and squished but it shouldn't be too difficult.

A kitchen cabinet under the sink with the cabinet doors open and the false front panel removed.
Now that the hinges are screwed to the drawer front and the cabinet you can see the drawer in action.

Pulling out a sink drop down drawer fitted with a Rev-a-shelf tip out tray.
And finally me and the tray in action. The both of us. In action. I'm casually reaching for a plant to pretend to water. That plant is now dead.

Karen Bertelsen reaches for a plant in her white kitchen with butcher block counter tops.

Materials

Rev-a-Shelf Tip out Tray kit (or similar)

Tools

pencil
screwdriver
ruler
drill
drill bit

Instructions

Remove the face of the false drawer. Most false drawers are easy to remove and are just attached with clips so you can pop it right off. Others might be attached with screws.
Centre your tray on the back of the false drawer face and screw it in place. Test it by placing the panel back into position at the sink to make sure the tray doesn't interfere with the opening and closing of the tip out.
If your panel originally had clips to hold it into place, remove those.
Place the right hinge against the right side of your opening so it is centred in the space and flush with the front edge. Mark your screw holes with a pencil. Pre-drill your holes.
Install your screws. Repeat these steps with the left hinge on the left side.
While holding your front panel in place with one hand, slide under the cabinet and mark where the holes that attach the hinge to the drawer front are.
Pre-drill those marked holes.
Hold the panel in place with one hand like you did before and then from underneath the cabinet screw the hinge into the drawer front. You will be contorted and squished but it shouldn't be too difficult.
You're done!

That's all there is to installing a tip down drawer. No mystery. No real effort. No real explanation as to why cabinet makers don't just make them standard other than to anger me. And you. All of us really.

What's the best way to cure tip-out tray and potato chip bingeing anger? Chili Con Carne obviously.

→Follow me on Instagram where I often make a fool of myself←

How to Install a Sink Tip Out Tray for Storage.