How to Build a Cupboard

Draw out a sketch of your desired cupboard using pencil and paper. With a measuring tape, determine the ideal dimensions of your cupboard including the width, depth and height. Mark these measurements on your sketch.

Cut two pieces of 1/2-inch plywood to the desired width and depth of your cupboard using a table saw to serve as the top and bottom panels. Cut two more pieces of 1/2-inch plywood using the depth and height measurements for the side panels of your cupboard.

Assemble the four pieces of plywood you just cut in a rectangular frame by laying the plywood pieces upright on their longest narrow edges. Position the pieces of equal size opposite each other and align the edges at the corners. Secure the frame by driving nails from a nail gun through the top and bottom panels into the thickness of the side panels.

Use the table saw to cut an additional piece of 1/2-inch plywood to the width and height measurements of your cupboard to serve as the back panel. Lay this panel flat on top of the rectangular frame you just constructed, aligning the edges, and secure it in place by driving nails down through the back panel into the frame below.

Cut additional sheets of 1/2-inch plywood using the width and depth measurements of the cupboard if you want additional shelving inside the cupboard. Measure and mark the desired position of these shelves, slide them between the side panels and nail them in place by driving nails through the side and back panels into the thickness of the shelves.

Frame the front of the cupboard with wood trim by first cutting the pieces of trim to size using the width and height measurements of the trim. Cut two strips to the width of the cupboard and two more to the height minus twice the width of the trim. The trim you use is your choice but select something at least 1/2-inch thick.

Arrange the strips of trim on the front of the cupboard by laying the two pieces cut to the width of the cabinet horizontally across the front edge of the top and bottom panels. Line up the top and bottom edges and secure the trim in place by driving nails from a nail gun through the trim into the cupboard frame. Sandwich the remaining pieces of trim vertically between the first two, aligning the outer edges with the edges of the frame, and nail them in place.

Measure the opening in the front of the cabinet framed by the wood trim you just installed and cut a sheet of 1/2-inch plywood to these dimensions for your cupboard door.

Fit the sheet of plywood into the opening and secure it in place with two metal hinges, positioning them about one inch from the top and bottom of the cupboard door. Attach the hinges on the inside edge of the cupboard door and to the thickness of the wooden trim. Screw a metal or wooden knob into the front of the cupboard door.

Paint or stain your cupboard as you desire then place it in the desired location or mount it to the wall. If you choose to mount your cabinet on the wall, screw wall mount brackets into the back panel and hang the cupboard on drywall anchors screwed into the wall studs. You may need to use a stud finder to locate the wall studs.