Low-Profile Drawer for Easy Storage

by travisderose

8.1K10729

Intro: Low-Profile Drawer for Easy Storage

Ok I know, this is super basic. But it's honestly been super awesome for me so I wanted to share!

My bed is super low so it makes it hard to store things under there. It was just wasted space for me which was frustrating especially because I live in a studio.

But after one fateful Amazon delivery, the idea struck me: Use the cardboard as a low profile drawer slide!

Honestly, you can just lay down a sheet of cardboard and call it a day. But this will walk you through how to add handles and some extra stuff to make it slide easier.

I assume this would slide on all hard surfaces and carpet.

Let's get to it!

STEP 1: Attach the Furniture Sliders

I had self sticking furniture sliders so I put one on each corner. It'd probably work better with a few more in the middle but the four worked well enough.

STEP 2: Make the Handles

There's probably 100 ways to attach and make handles for this but I used zip ties because that's what I had at home and I'm self-isolating so I didn't want to run to the store.

I'm going to try to explain this but it might be easier to just follow along with the photos.

  1. Poke or drill your holes
  2. Push a small zip tie up through the first hole
  3. Push another small zip tie down through the second hole
  4. Push the first zip tie into the second zip tie
  5. Underneath, add a zip tie to the second zip tie sticking through
  6. Clip the extra zip tie length off the bottom ones underneath
  7. Repeat steps 1-6 about 4 or 5 inches to the right
  8. String a handle through the zip ties. A rope or something would be nice. But again, I only had these small zip ties on hand and I am self-isolating.
  9. Repeat steps 1-8 if you want a second handle.

STEP 3: Store Your Stuff & Stash It Away!

I'm storing all of my shoes on here because it's super easy to get to them and see all of them at a glance.

Please let me know your thoughts on this project, if you try it yourself, along with any ways to improve this design.

– Travis

P.S. I also host a podcast called Curiosityness! Every week I conduct a podcast interview with an expert about the most fascinating history, things, & people of our world. If that interests you, I encourage you to check out the Curiosityness podcast available for free at https://www.curiosityness.com/

And find me on Instagram @travderose: https://www.instagram.com/travderose/

21 Comments

LazyCrazyCat 1 year ago

Cool, just I wonder whether it would stink (for most people), now especially in the bedroom...very simple idea, it needs a little improvement to be perfect.

M3G 4 years ago

Awesome idea! Will have to use this. Have you noticed if the zip ties scratch the floor? I would assume they wouldn't, but I was wondering.

rrodrigues26 4 years ago

Since the box is folded you actually have 2 layers of cardboard. Maybe if you just drill holes on the top layer it will never be an issue as the bottom layer is protecting your floor

M3G 4 years ago

Good idea!

travisderose 4 years ago

Hasn't been an issue for me but it might be if you have real hard wood floors or something. There's probably a better solution than the zip ties but that's what I had on hand

rachl009 4 years ago

Such a simple and clever idea!

decidog 4 years ago

Very clever! I'll make mine with some kind of foot/toe hold as I hate bending down for anything.

jeanniel1 4 years ago

Brilliant reuse of the ubiquitous Amazon boxes, and pesky low level beds with awkward spaces beneath to utilize. Thisis a 100% great solution.

ClareBS 4 years ago

I love this, so simple but useful. Could be made by anyone.

bobbydee 4 years ago

Very nice... I voted for you also. Where I live (midwest) we have pesky (brown) venomous spiders that like to (recluse) in cardboard, so I will be using masonite rather than cardboard, but I just a smashing good idea!!! (I would use cardboard if I lived anywhere else!!)

Penolopy Bulnick 4 years ago

I really like how easy and straightforward this is :)

Pa1963 4 years ago

Cardboard is pretty slick on its own. Glides are probably overkill! Still, a fantastic " why didn't I think of that "idea.

starshine_ny 4 years ago

What a great idea! Thanks for posting it.

malibro 4 years ago

very cool on the cheap and easy!!

that should work 4 years ago

I had to vote for this stupidly simplistic, overly practical, amazingly obvious idea that few have ever considered.

MrsJarvis 4 years ago

This is wonderful. It might be cool to cover the cardboard with decorative contact paper. I'm going to post this for my students to consider ... a contest maybe?

Bobbifassett 4 years ago

This is pure genius! You could put out of season clothes in plastic bags and keep them on there, too. I am definitely doing this. On a queen or king size bed you have 2 sides...more storage!!!

Olga M Sacasa 4 years ago

I absolutely love the simplicity of this! I would have added a border on 3 sides so that if you accidentally kick the board the shoes do not slide off of the board. Simply bend the edges up about an inch and with Duct Tape fasten them so they stay up. You gave me an idea of creating multiple smaller cardboard trays to put things under the couch such as remotes, magazines, notepad and pen - things I don't want on the coffee table. Thanks
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