How to Frame a Built-in Wall Cabinet

Draw up a sketch of your built-in wall cabinet on a piece of paper. Decide how many sections you want to divide your cabinet into, how many shelves you want to build inside and whether or not you want to enclose the cabinet with doors.

Use a measuring tape to measure the space in which you plan to install your built-in wall cabinet to determine its dimensions. Record the width, depth and height measurements on your sketch to use as reference in cutting the pieces for your cabinet frame.

Cut two sheets of 1/2-inch plywood with a table saw using the height and depth measurements of your cabinet to serve as the side panels. For the top and bottom panels, cut two sheets of 1/2-inch plywood using the width and depth measurements. Cut an additional sheet of plywood using the width and height measurement to serve as the back panel.

Arrange the top, bottom and side panels in a rectangular shape, standing the sheets of plywood upright on their longest narrow sides and aligning the edges in each of the four corners. Secure the four pieces together by driving nails from a nail gun through the top and bottom panels into the thickness of the side panels.

Lay the back panel flat on top of the rectangular frame you just built and adjust it to make sure all the outside edges are aligned. Secure the back panel in place by driving nails from a nail gun down through the back panel into the top, bottom and side panels. Flip the frame over when you are finished so the open side is facing up.

Use a stud finder to locate the studs in the wall on which you plan to mount your built-in wall cabinet. Mark the position of the studs on the wall in pencil along the approximate height at which you intend to mount the cabinet so the marks will be covered.

Have someone help you hold the cabinet frame up against the wall at the desired height. Secure the cabinet frame in place by driving 2-inch wood screws through the back panel of the cabinet into the wall studs. For added support, toe-nail an additional 2-inch wood screw through the cabinet frame into the wall stud in each corner.

Measure and mark the position of your cabinet dividers and shelves along the top, bottom and side panels inside the completed cabinet frame. Cut sheets of 1/2-inch plywood to size for these additional elements and slide them into place where you made the marks. Attach the dividers and shelves to the frame by driving nails from a nail gun through the frame into the shelves and dividers.

Cut additional sheets of 1/2-inch plywood to size to build doors for your wall cabinet, if you desire. Mount the doors on the front of the cabinet by attaching metal hinges about 1 inch away from the top and bottom corners of one outside edge of each door. Screw the other side of each hinge into the cabinet frame.

Paint or stain your cabinet frame as desired to match the existing decor scheme in your room. You may also choose to attach strips of decorative wood trim to the face of the cabinet to enhance its appearance. To attach strips of trim, simply cut the trim to size and line it up with the edge of the cabinet frame, then nail it in place.