Free Furniture Plans to Build a Cabinet

A Custom Cabinet Build

I’ve always wanted to build a custom cabinet for my front room using walnut plywood. Once I was able to source the plywood, I created the plans to build the cabinet with six cubbies (two have doors) and six drawers. The cabinet was a super-easy build and was a furniture piece I was really proud to own!

how to build a cabinet

how to build a cabinet dimensions

Materials:

  • Two sheets of 3/4″ plywood
  • Scrap of 2×4 measuring the same height as the furniture legs
  • Four 1×6 at 8′
  • One sheet of 1/4″ plywood

Other Materials:

  • Edge banding for exposed edges of plywood (<– affiliate link!)
  • Four furniture legs with attachment plates (I used 4″ legs)
  • Six sets of 14″ drawer slides
  • Six drawer pulls
  • Two sets of partial wrap around hinges
  • Two cabinet pulls
  • Wallpaper for the back
  • Finishing Supplies (stain or paint & sealer)

Tools:

  • Kreg jig with 1-1/4″ & 2″ pocket hole screws
  • Drill
  • Brad nailer with 1-1/4″ brads
  • Right angle guide with clamps (or whatever you have on hand)
  • Sander & sandpaper

Cut List:

  • One 2×4 at xx” (the same height as the furniture legs)- Center Support Leg
  • Four 3/4″ plywood at 7-1/8″ x 15″ – Drawer Dividers
  • Two 3/4″ plywood at 15″ x 48″ – Bottom & Top
  • Two 3/4″ plywood at 15″ x 42-1/2″ – Sides
  • Three 3/4″ plywood at 15″ x 46-1/2″ – Shelves
  • Two 3/4″ plywood at 14″ x 15″ – Middle Dividers
  • Two 3/4″ plywood at 12″ x 15″ – Upper Dividers
  • One 1/4″ plywood at 44″ x 48″ – Back
  • Two 3/4″ plywood at 13-3/4″ x 14-3/4″ – Doors
  • Six 3/4″ plywood at 6-7/8″ x 14-3/4″ – Drawer Fronts
  • Twelve 1×6 at 12-1/2″ – Drawer Boxes
  • Twelve 1×6 at 14″ – Drawer Boxes
  • Six 1/4″ plywood at 14″ x 14″ – Drawer Bottoms

Notes About the Project:

  • Edge banding should be applied to all exposed edges of the plywood before assembly. See my tutorial on how to apply edge banding.
  • Sand all pieces prior to assembly

Step One

Cut the pieces for the bottom and the drawer dividers. Set the Kreg jig for 3/4″ material and drill pockets in the bottom edge of the divider pieces. Attach to the bottom as shown using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

how to build a cabinet drawer dividers

Step Two

Cut the pieces for the sides. Drill pocket holes in the bottom of the panels and attach to the bottom as shown using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

how to build a cabinet sides

Step Three

Cut the pieces for the shelves. Drill pocket holes in each end of the shelves. Attach one shelf as shown using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws. Attach the next set of drawer dividers, as well as the next shelf.

how to build a cabinet lower drawer shelf  how to build a cabinet upper drawer dividerhow to build a cabinet upper drawer shelf

Step Four

Cut the pieces for the middle dividers. Drill pocket holes in each end and attach using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws. Attach the last shelf in the same manner as the previous two.

how to build a cabinet lower cubby dividers  how to build a cabinet cubby shelf

Step Five

Cut the pieces for the upper dividers. Drill pocket holes in the bottom edge only and attach using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

how to build a cabinet upper dividers

Step Six

Cut the piece for the top. Attach using glue and 1-1/4″ brad nails through the top into the dividers and the sides.

how to build a cabinet top

Step Seven

Cut the piece for the back (cover with wallpaper if desired) and attach using glue and 1-1/4″ brad nails.

Attach the legs and hardware according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Set the Kreg jig for 1-1/2″ material and drill pocket holes in one end of the 2×4 leg support. Attach to the center bottom using glue and 2″ pocket hole screws.

how to build a cabinet back  how to build a cabinet Center foot

Step Eight

Cut the pieces for the drawer boxes. Drill pocket holes in each end of the shorter pieces and assemble as shown using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Cut the pieces for the bottoms and attach using glue and 1-1/4″ brad nails. Attach the drawer slides (check out this easy tutorial on installing drawer slides). Make any necessary adjustments to the hardware.

how to build a cabinet drawer box

Step Nine

Cut the pieces for the drawer fronts (See my easy tutorial on installing drawer fronts).

how to build a cabinet drawer fronts

Step Ten

Cut the pieces for the doors. There will be a 1/8″ gap around all sides of the doors. Attach the hinges and the handles, then install the doors.

how to build a cabinet doors

Finish as desired. I used a dark stain on mine with a matte polyurethane top coat.

Have questions about the plans to build a cabinet? Leave a comment below!

Originally posted 2012-08-17 08:00:00.