How to Build Wood Storage Cabinets

Building a cabinet is easy.

Wooden storage cabinets are a useful addition to the home, as they provide extra storage space for many items. Building cabinets by hand is a way to save money since the basic supplies needed for making a cabinet are much less expensive than buying a pre-made storage unit. Creating an attractive and functional storage cabinet is an easy project. Use high-quality wood to make the cabinets aesthetically pleasing and long-lasting.

Things You'll Need

• 4 lumber sheets, 2 inches thick by 3 feet long by 2 feet wide
• 3 lumber sheets, 2 inches thick by 4 feet long by 3 feet wide
• 4-inch nails
• Hammer
• Hinges
• 2-inch screws
• Screwdriver
• Door handles

Instructions

1. Align the 2-inch edge of one of the 3-foot boards with the face of one of the 4-foot boards. Put the two 3-foot sides together and ensure that the edges are flush. The lumber sheets should form a right-angled L shape.

2. Attach the two pieces of wood with 4-inch nails. Hammer one nail every 3 inches through the face of the 4-foot board and into the 3-foot board.

3. Align the second 3-foot board at the other end of the 4-foot board and repeat steps one and two to form a right-angled U shape with the three boards.

4. Place one of the 4-foot boards on top of the open section of the U-shape. This will be the top portion of the cabinet. Align three sides of the 4-foot board with the 3 top edges of the structure.

5. Attach the 4-foot sheet to the other boards with 4-inch nails. Make sure the boards are flush before beginning. Hammer in one nail every 3 inches along the three top edges of the structure, through the 4-foot sheet. Leave the front section open.

6. Turn the structure over and attach the remaining 4-foot board to the open section opposite the top board. This will be the bottom section of the cabinet. Hammer in one nail every 3 inches along each of the edges of the boards. Ensure that the boards are flush.

7. Attach two hinges to the open portions of the cabinet structure. Place the hinges along the 2-inch edge of the 3-foot portions of the wood so that the doors can be attached to them. Attach the hinges to the structure with 2-inch screws.

8. Align the remaining 3-foot lumber sheets with the hinges and attach them with 2-inch screws. These are the doors of your cabinet.

9. Attach small door handles to the cabinet doors with 2-inch screws so that the cabinet can be opened and closed.

Tips & Warnings

• Paint or stain the cabinet to match your interior decor.

• Work in an open, well-lit area to prevent injuries.

• Do not move the cabinet indoors for at least 24 hours after it has been painted.

References

• Family Handyman: Simple Storage Cabinet
• This Old House: How to Build a Stylish Bar Cabinet

Resources

• Pure Bond: How to Build a "Green" Cabinet