How to Add a Vertical Divider in a Cabinet

Mark the bottom of the cabinet space where you plan to install the vertical divider. Hold a carpenter's level vertically on the mark. Mark the point on the underside of the upper shelf, directly above the lower mark.

Measure the height of the cabinet space. Subtract 1/4 inch from that dimension to calculate the height of the divider. Measure the depth of the cabinet space. The depth of the divider should be at least three-fourths of the depth of the cabinet. Measure, mark and cut a hardboard sheet to the dimensions of the divider.

Measure, mark and trim four pieces of screen-door molding to the depth of the cabinet, minus 1 inch. Use a carpenter's square and a pencil to draw lines from the front to the back of the cabinet that run on either side of the divider-positioning mark you made in Step 1.

Lay the molding pieces on a flat surface. Hammer wire nails partially into each strip, evenly spaced, about 3 inches apart. The points on the nails should only be barely visible on the other side of the molding. Position a strip of molding parallel to and about 1/8 inch to the left of the line on the bottom of the cabinet space. Hammer the nails to attach the molding to the floor of the cabinet. Repeat to install a strip of moulding to the left of the line on the ceiling of the cabinet space.

Place the hardwood divider vertically in the cabinet to the right of and against the installed molding strips. Position a molding strip against the right side of the divider on the floor of the cabinet space. Drive the nails into the floor of the cabinet. Position the last molding strip against the right side of the divider on the ceiling of the cabinet space. Hammer the nails into the ceiling of the cabinet space.