DIY Sliding Glass Holders Under Kitchen Cabinets: A Step-by-Step Guide

Updated at: 17/05/2025

Tired of constantly wrestling with bulky spice racks or awkwardly reaching for seldom-used kitchen items stored at the back of your cabinets? Maximize your kitchen storage space and reclaim valuable countertop real estate with this simple DIY project: custom sliding glass holders installed directly under your cabinets. This ingenious solution provides easy access to frequently used items while keeping your countertops clutter-free and adding a touch of sleek, modern organization. Forget expensive, pre-made organizers; this project uses readily available materials and requires only basic DIY skills.

This guide offers a detailed, step-by-step process to create these incredibly useful sliding glass holders, transforming your kitchen storage from frustrating to functional in just a few hours. From selecting the right materials to the final installation, we’ll walk you through each stage, ensuring a successful outcome that will leave your kitchen feeling both organized and stylish. Let's get started!

Preparation and Safety Guidelines

Tools Needed
  • Palette slot
  • Compass
  • Bandsaw
  • Router
  • Wine glass
  • Pencil
  • Belt sander
  • Wood burning tool
  • Wood lacquer
  • Transparent spray
  • Double-sided tape
  • Screws
Safety Guidelines
  • Ensure your cabinets are securely mounted and can support the weight of the sliding glass holders and their contents. Weak cabinets may be damaged or fall.
  • Always use appropriate safety glasses and gloves when working with sharp tools or heavy objects. Take precautions to avoid cuts and injuries.
  • Measure twice, cut once. Precise measurements are crucial for proper installation and preventing damage to your cabinets or the sliding glass holders.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Create the Circular Base

    • Determine the middle of the palette slot and trace a line to help create a circle with a compass.
    • Use a bandsaw to cut along the traced lines to create the circle.
    Use a bandsaw to cut along the traced lines to create the circle.Use a bandsaw to cut along the traced lines to create the circle.
    Create the Circular Base

  2. Create Sliding Cups

    • Use a wine glass to trace lines for creating sliding cups.
    • Transform the worktable into a router table and use a straight bit to create the cups.
    Transform the worktable into a router table and use a straight bit to create the cups.Transform the worktable into a router table and use a straight bit to create the cups.
    Create Sliding Cups

  3. Refine and Adjust

    • Double-check the fit using a wine glass.
    • Use the bandsaw to divide the pieces.
    • Round up the loose edges.
    • Adjust the length of the pieces to fit the space under the cabinets.
    Adjust the length of the pieces to fit the space under the cabinets.Adjust the length of the pieces to fit the space under the cabinets.Adjust the length of the pieces to fit the space under the cabinets.Adjust the length of the pieces to fit the space under the cabinets.
    Refine and Adjust

  4. Final Fit Check and Smoothing

    • Smooth down both pieces using a belt sander.
    • Use a wine glass to check the fit one last time. Ensure a 2.5cm gap for sliding.
    Use a wine glass to check the fit one last time. Ensure a 2.5cm gap for sliding.Use a wine glass to check the fit one last time. Ensure a 2.5cm gap for sliding.
    Final Fit Check and Smoothing

  5. Decorate and Finish

    • Wood-burn a design.
    • Sand, apply wood lacquer, and a thin layer of transparent spray.
    Sand, apply wood lacquer, and a thin layer of transparent spray.Sand, apply wood lacquer, and a thin layer of transparent spray.
    Decorate and Finish

  6. Installation

    • Attach the holders to the cabinets using double-sided tape (for demonstration) or screws.
    Attach the holders to the cabinets using double-sided tape (for demonstration) or screws.
    Installation

Read more: DIY Pantry Door Spice Rack: Organize Your Spices in Minutes!

Tips

  • Consider the pattern you'd like to use for your design.
  • Ensure all four sides are worked on simultaneously for consistent results.
  • For a secure fit, create holes and use 3cm screws.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Incorrect Measurement and Cutting

Reason: Improperly measuring the space between the cabinets and the glass slides can lead to holders that are too big or too small, resulting in a poor fit or instability.
Solution: Carefully measure the space multiple times before cutting the wood to ensure an accurate fit.

2. Using Unstable or Weak Materials

Reason: Employing flimsy wood or inadequate adhesive can cause the holders to sag, crack, or detach under the weight of the glass.
Solution: Choose durable, sturdy wood and a strong adhesive suitable for the weight of the glass slides.

3. Ignoring the Weight of the Glass

Reason: Underestimating the weight of the glass slides can result in poorly supported holders that are prone to damage or breakage.
Solution: Use sufficiently thick and strong wood, reinforcing it with additional supports as needed to handle the weight of the glass.

FAQs

What type of glass is best for these sliding holders?
Tempered glass is highly recommended for safety reasons. It's stronger and less prone to shattering than regular glass. Look for thicknesses of at least 6mm for optimal stability.
Can I use this method with cabinets that aren't perfectly level?
Slight imperfections are manageable. Ensure your runners are securely attached and use shims (small, thin pieces of wood) under the runners if needed to compensate for unevenness and create a smooth sliding action. Significant unevenness may require adjusting your cabinets first.