The Easiest Way To Install BLUM Drawer Slides (And Why People Love Them)

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BLUM drawer slides have become very popular. They are an undermount model, so there's no visible hardware when you open and close the drawer — giving a clean, stylish look. They can be full extension (ideal for kitchen drawers) or single extension (only opening halfway). These are great for smaller furniture items, like bedside cabinets. Some people wonder whether undermount drawer slides hold up over time, but BLUM units are known for their high-quality construction, and complaints are rare.

So why doesn't everyone use them when they're refurbishing their kitchen or building pieces of furniture? Well, it could be because there is a belief that undermount drawer slides can be awkward to install. It's certainly something that might put some DIY installers off. However, it shouldn't be difficult, and there's no need for more than basic tools. The easiest way to install BLUM drawer slides is clearly demonstrated in an informative video that you can find on the Ben Van Kirk Makes It YouTube channel.

If there's one piece of advice to take from Ben, it is to throw away the instructions provided, which he says are way too complicated. Next, rather than measure the position of the rear mounting bracket as a separate item, which can lead to errors, fit it to the slide and then position the entire unit where it needs to go in the cabinet. Then, fix the front of the unit, square up the slide, and fix the back. The process is quick and easy. The construction of the slides is such that there's a bit of 'wiggle room,' so even if you're a fraction out, they will still work just fine.

The next step is attaching the release mechanisms to the underside of the drawer. Finally, you need to drill holes in the back of the drawer to accept the rear slide mountings. Again, it's something that could be measured, but you can also just bang the drawer against the slide a couple of times to make a mark. It's a bit hardcore, but the BLUM drawer slides are tough enough to take it, and the mark it leaves provides perfect alignment with zero chance of error. The whole process is remarkably straightforward, and importantly, it's also accurate. Otherwise, in his YouTube video, Ben talks about the drawer boxes he constructs for his custom cabinet. If you're looking for hacks to build durable drawers more easily, it's well worth a watch.

The slide size that you use will depend entirely on the project, but you can consider something like the BLUM Tandem Plus BLUMOTION Drawer Slide. They are available from 9 inches to 21 inches, providing the versatility you need for a wide variety of drawer sizes. They slide extremely smoothly, come with a soft-close mechanism, and provide a remarkable 100-pound static load capacity.

It's not difficult to see why people love them, but we wanted some feedback from real-world customers. We checked on Amazon and at the specialist woodworking and hardware supplier, Rockler. Comments like, "The best on the market ... strong and smooth" are common. While they aren't cheap, "worth the price" was what most people thought. It was also noted that "everything needed to install" was included, even the screws to attach them. Although one or two people agreed with Ben that "the instructions are extremely hard to understand," you now have the perfect solution. So if you're going to DIY drawers or pull-out shelves, BLUM undermount drawer slides should be a serious consideration. And now you have some clever tips to make installing them a breeze.