Carpentry

Repair a sagging drawer bottom

You pull the drawer open and the bottom sags, or it has slipped out of its groove entirely. A sagging drawer bottom is a common fix that takes a few small nails, a little glue, and a hammer.

Written and reviewed by Grab the Hammer Team · Updated Sep 2026
Upside-down drawer with the bottom panel back in its grooves, brads into the back, and glue blocks along the joints
How to fix a drawer bottom: slide the panel back into its grooves (1), nail the back edge with brads (2), and add glue blocks (3) for support.

What's actually going on

Most drawer bottoms are thin panels that slide into grooves on the sides and front, and are held at the back with small nails or staples. Over time, weight pushes the bottom down, the back nails pull out, and the panel drops out of the grooves.

Why it happens

Too much weight

Heavy items push the bottom down over time.

Loose back nails

Staples and brads pull out.

Thin panel

Thin hardboard sags under load.

Humidity

Panels swell and warp.

Before you startUse short brads. Anything too long will poke through the inside of the drawer.

Let's fix it

0 of 5 done
  1. Empty and flip the drawerTake everything out, remove the drawer, and set it upside down on a towel.
    Drawer emptied, removed and set upside down on a towel
  2. Slide the bottom back inPush the panel back into the grooves along the sides and front.
    Drawer bottom panel pushed back into the grooves along the sides and front
  3. Nail the back edgeDrive two or three brad nails through the bottom into the back of the drawer.
    Small brad nails hammered through the drawer bottom into the back of the drawer
  4. Add glue blocksGlue small wood blocks along the joint between the bottom and the sides to add support.
    Small glued wood blocks set along the joint between the drawer bottom and sides for support
  5. Let it dry, then reloadClamp or weight the blocks until the glue dries, then put the drawer back.
    Heavy books weighting the glue blocks while they dry before the drawer goes back in

Still not fixed?

If it sags in the middle, glue a thin strip of wood underneath across the center as a brace.

For drawers that stick after the repair, rub wax along the runners.

Tip from experienceIf the bottom panel is cracked, a new piece of 1/4 inch plywood cut to the same size costs a few dollars and slides right in.
Time to call a pro if you seeAntique furniture or drawers with dovetail joints coming apart. They need careful repair to keep their value.

What a pro charges: A handyman or furniture repair shop typically charges $40–$100 per drawer.

Common questions

How do I fix a drawer bottom that fell out?

Slide it back into its grooves, nail the back edge, and add glue blocks for support.

What size nails should I use for a drawer bottom?

Short brad nails, about 5/8 inch, so they don't poke through.

About the authors

Grab the Hammer Team

We're a small team of home repair writers and editors who test our advice against manufacturer instructions and common code requirements. Our goal is simple: help you fix what you safely can, and know when to call in a pro.

How we write and review →
Up nextFind your main water shutoffThe one thing every homeowner should know before a pipe bursts.