DIY Cabinet Construction

Measure the space in which you plan to install your cabinet using a measuring tape. If you plan to attach your cabinet to the wall, measure along the wall to determine the cabinet's width and measure out from the wall to determine the depth. Write down the desired width, depth and height of your cabinet for future reference.

Cut two 8-foot-by-1-inch-by-10-inch hardwood boards down to the width of the cabinet using a circular saw. These two boards will serve as the top and bottom panels for your cabinet.

Use the remainder of both 8-foot-by-1-inch-by-10-inch boards to cut the side panels for your cabinet. If the scraps are not long enough, you may need to use new 8-foot boards. Cut the side panels to the height of the cabinet, minus 2 inches to accommodate the thickness of the top and bottom panels.

Stand the four boards you just cut upright on their longest narrow edges. Arrange the boards in a rectangle shape, sandwiching the side panels between the ends of the top and bottom panels. Drive nails from a nail gun through the top and bottom panels into the side panels to secure the frame.

Cut a sheet of 1/2-inch plywood to the width and height dimensions of your cabinet. Lay this sheet of plywood flat on top of one open side of the frame you just completed to serve as the back panel. Align the edges of the panel with the frame and attach it by driving nails through it into the hardwood below.

Measure and mark the spacing for your cabinet shelves along the side panels in pencil. Cut your shelves using any remaining scraps from the 8-foot-by-1-inch-by-10-inch hardwood boards, if possible. Each shelf should be cut to the width of the cabinet, minus 2 inches to accommodate the thickness of the side panels.

Insert the shelves horizontally between the side panels where you made the pencil marks. Attach the shelves by driving nails from the nail gun through the side and back panels into the thickness of each shelf.

Construct a door for your cabinet, if you desire, by cutting another sheet of 1/2-inch plywood to the same dimensions as your back panel. Lay the board flat on top of the remaining open side of the cabinet frame.

Attach the door using two metal hinges. Position each of the hinges along one outside edge of the cabinet door, placing each about an inch from the corner. Screw the other side of each hinge into the cabinet frame.

Paint or stain your cabinet to match the decor scheme in your room. Allow the paint or stain to dry completely before installing your cabinet, if you choose to do so.

Use a stud finder to locate the studs in the wall where you intend to install the cabinet. Mark the position of the studs on the wall in pencil.

Hold the cabinet up against the wall where you intend to install it. Position the cabinet so the back panel is flush with the wall and use a level to be sure it sits level. You may need help to accomplish this step.

Open the cabinet doors and drive 3-inch wood screws through the back panel into the wall studs to secure the cabinet in place.