How to Modify the Depth of Kitchen Base Cabinets

Use a tape measure to measure from the front of the cabinet to the point of the desired depth of the cabinet. Make a mark on the floor of the cabinet at the desired depth. Repeat for both sides of the cabinet bottom.

Take the same measurement on the upper left and upper right sides of the cabinet walls. Measure down 1 inch from the drawer rail, and mark that point on each side wall of the cabinet.

Measure the width of your cabinet with the tape measure. Cut a 1-by-2-inch board to the measurement with a circular saw. Cut two pieces of 1-by-2-inch board to a length of 6 inches.

Place the board you cut for the cabinet width on the floor of the cabinet, behind the marks for your depth. Secure the board to the floor of the cabinet with 2-inch wood screws and a cordless screwdriver.

Position one of the 6-inch boards on the side of the cabinet, aligning the edge of the board with the depth mark and aligning the upper end with the 1-inch mark. The board should be vertical. Place a level in front of the floor board and against the top board. Once the top board is level, secure it to the side with 2-inch wood screws. Repeat for the opposite side.

Measure the width and height of the cabinet at the front of the boards you just installed. When measuring height, remember to measure 1 inch below the drawer rails so the new rear wall does not interfere with the drawer.

Cut a piece of laminate plywood to the measurements with a circular saw that has a plywood blade. Place the cut piece of plywood inside the cabinet and against the boards. Drive finishing nails through the plywood and into the support boards with a hammer.