How to Build a Shoji Style Wardrobe

Shoji is a beautiful, traditional Japanese style most often seen in rice paper screens. You can add Asian influence to your bedroom or home office with this exciting Shoji wardrobe. Read on to learn how to build a Shoji style wardrobe.

Things You'll Need

• 12 pieces of 6 inch x 3/4 inch wood planks 8 feet long
• 3 pieces of 6 inch x 3/4 inch wood planks 10 feet long
• (1) 5 foot x 10 foot sheet of 1/4 inch finished plywood
• 24 sheets of 12 inch x 12 inch rice paper (or 148 inches of 20 inch wide rice paper roll)
• 4 concealed hinges
• (2) 46 3/8 inch closet rods with end attachment hardware
• Circular or table saw
• Router
• Pocket screw jig/plugs
• Wood screws
• Drill
• Sander
• Stain or paint
• Lacquer
• Door pulls (or tassles)
• Clamps
• Staples or flat head tacks

Instructions

1. Make these cuts:
   Plywood: 4 pieces @ 5 inches x 68 1/2 inches
   2 pieces @ 21 inches x 68 1/2 inches
   10 foot planks:
   5 pieces @ 50 inches x 5 1/2 inches
   4 pieces @ 2 inches x 4 1/4 inches
   8 foot planks:
   4 pieces @ 80 inches x 5 inches
   3 pieces @ 68 inches x 5 inches
   7 pieces @ 46 1/2 inches x 5 inches
   1 piece @ 46 1/2 inches x 3 1/4 inches
   4 pieces @ 14 inches x 5 inches
   4 pieces @ 77 inches x 2 1/2 inches
   4 pieces @ 19 inches x 2 1/2 inches
   2 pieces @ 72 inches x 1 inch
   20 pieces @ 9 inches x 1 inch

2. Rout. Use a straight 1/4 inch bit. Set it at 1/4 inch deep. On the 80 inch x 5 inch pieces rout the center of one long edge leaving 5 inches at the top and 7 inches at the bottom. On all but one of the 46 1/2 inch x 5 inch and 14 inch x 5 inch pieces rout the center of one long edge leaving 5 inches in the middle. On the 68 inch x 5 inch pieces rout the center of both long edges.

3. Build the top and bottom. Attach four 46 1/2 inch x 5 inch and the 46 1/2 x 3 1/4 inch piece together using pocket screws. You will make a platform 46 1/2 inches x 23 1/4 inches. This is your bottom. Attach the five 50 inch x 5 1/2 inch pieces using pocket screws. This is your top.

4. Build the doors. Span two 77 inch x 2 1/2 inch at the top and bottom with 19 inch x 2 1/2 inch pieces. Center a 72 inch x 1 inch piece inside the frame and attach. Evenly space five 9 inch x 1 inch on either side of the 72 inch piece, creating six openings on both sides. Repeat for the other door.

5. Sand all surfaces.

6. 

   Build the sides and the back. Span two 80 inch x 5 inch pieces using a 14 inch x 5 inch piece. Make sure it is flush with the top. And make sure all routed edges are facing in. Center a 68 inch x 5 inch piece and attach. Slide two 5 inch wide plywood pieces into the routed slots. They will hang past the 68 inch piece by 1/4 inch. Attach another 14 inch x 5 inch piece at the bottom of the plywood pieces, routed side in. When it is in place, it will be 2 inches above the bottom of the 80 inch pieces. Do the same thing using the other plywood pieces and the 46 1/2 inch x 5 inch pieces.

7. Attach the sides and the back. Use the unrouted 46 1/2 inch x 5 inch piece as a spanner flush with the front and top.

8. Attach the bottom and the top. The bottom fits inside the frame and should be 2 inches off the ground. The top will over hang all edges. Make sure the overhang is equidistant.

9. Attach the 2 inch x 4 1/4 inch below the bottom make "L"s with the bottom of the 80 inch pieces.

10. Paint or stain all surfaces (including the closet rod if it is wood. Apply at least two coats of lacquer.

11. Attach the closet rod hardware. Make sure you will have enough room to hang clothes on both levels.

12. Cover the openings in the door by attaching rice paper from behind. Trim the paper so that it does not overlap.

13. Attach the hinges so that the doors will be 2 inches off the ground and 1/4 inch below the top.

14. Attach door handles or pulls.

Tips & Warnings

• Buy extra rice paper, just in case.

• Never paint or stain without ventilation.