A well-made drawer deserves a little attention on the inside, too. While a bare plywood bottom works perfectly well, adding a felt liner gives the drawer a more finished appearance and offers a few practical advantages.
In a shop cabinet, felt helps keep tools and other contents from sliding around as the drawer opens and closes. And rather than gluing the felt permanently to the drawer bottom, this method attaches it to a thin posterboard backer. The entire liner simply drops into place and can be removed whenever it's time to clean the drawer.
Best of all, making one only takes a few minutes.
Why Make the Drawer Liner Removable?
You could glue felt directly to the drawer bottom, but a removable liner is much easier to live with over the long term.
The posterboard provides just enough stiffness to keep the felt flat while still being thin enough that it doesn't take up much drawer space. When sawdust and debris inevitably find their way inside, you can lift out the entire liner, clean the drawer, and put it right back.
A simple pull tab makes removal even easier.
Add a Simple Pull Tab
Before attaching the felt, fold a short piece of painter's tape over on itself to create a small tab. Attach it near the back edge of the liner where it won't be noticeable during everyday use. When it's time to clean the drawer, just grab the tab and lift.
Step 1: Cut the Posterboard Backer
Start by cutting a piece of heavy posterboard to fit inside the drawer. This becomes the rigid backer for the felt.
The fit should be close enough that the liner stays put during use, but don't make it so tight that you have to pry it out of the drawer. A little clearance around the edges makes the liner much easier to remove.
Once you're happy with the fit, use the posterboard as the foundation for the remaining steps.
Step 2: Apply Spray Adhesive
Cut a piece of felt slightly larger than the posterboard. There's no need to trim it precisely yet — you'll take care of that after it's attached.
Apply an even coat of spray adhesive to one face of the posterboard. Follow the directions on the adhesive for application and tack time.
This is also the time to attach the painter's-tape pull tab before covering the backer with felt.
Step 3: Apply and Roll the Felt
Carefully lower the oversized felt onto the adhesive-coated posterboard. Start at one end and work your way across to minimize wrinkles.
Then use a J-roller to press the felt firmly against the backer. Work across the entire surface to flatten bubbles, wrinkles, or loose areas and create an even bond.
Woodsmith Tip: Work Oversize. Don't try to cut the felt perfectly before gluing it down. Leaving a little extra material around all four sides makes alignment much easier. Once the adhesive has secured everything in place, you can trim the felt and backer into a clean, matching unit.
Step 4: Trim the Felt Flush
With the felt firmly attached, flip the liner over or use the edge of the posterboard as your guide and trim away the excess.
A wheel cutter works well for making a clean cut through the felt. Use a ruler or straightedge to guide the cutter and keep each edge straight.
Once all four sides are trimmed, drop the finished liner into the drawer.
A Small Upgrade That Makes a Big Difference
This is one of those finishing touches that takes very little time but makes a drawer feel considerably more complete. The felt adds a softer, finished surface, helps keep contents from shifting, and protects the drawer bottom from everyday wear.
And because the liner isn't permanently attached, you're not committed to it forever. Lift it out for cleaning or replace it with a new liner whenever it becomes worn.
That makes this simple four-step approach just as useful for a shop tool cabinet as it is for a piece of furniture.
Which Drawer Liner Is Right for Your Project?
Felt is a great all-around choice, but it's only one option. Cork, vinyl, leather, suede, velvet, and flocking each offer different advantages depending on what the drawer will hold.
Our guide to Choosing Drawer Liners compares the best materials for tool drawers, furniture, jewelry boxes, and other storage projects.
COMPARE DRAWER LINER MATERIALS → Best Drawer Liner Materials for Tool Chests, Furniture & Jewelry Boxes
