How to Make a Permanent Cabinet

• 1

  Measure the space where you intend to install your permanent cabinet. You will be constructing your cabinet out of 1-by-10-inch pine so the depth of each cabinet will be 10 inches. Use a measuring tape to determine the desired width and height for your cabinet.

• 2

  Cut two pieces of 1-by-10-inch pine using a circular saw to the width determined in the last step. These boards will serve as the top and bottom panels for your cabinet.

• 3

  Use the circular saw to cut the two side panels for your cabinet. Cut these panels out of 1-by-10-inch pine using the height measurement, minus 2 inches to accommodate the thickness of the top and bottom panels.

• 4

  Set the four boards you just cut upright on their longest narrow edges in front of you. Arrange the boards in a rectangular shape, sandwiching the side panels between the ends of the top and bottom panels. Drive 2-inch wood screws through the top and bottom panels into the side panels to secure the frame.

• 5

  Cut a sheet of 1/2-inch plywood to the width and height measurements of your cabinet to serve as the back panel. Lay the back panel flat across the open top of the frame you just constructed and align the edges. Drive nails from a nail gun through the back panel into the pine frame to attach it.

• 6

  Measure and mark the desired position for your cabinet shelves along the side panels in pencil. Install the shelves at equal intervals or vary them to accommodate items of various size.

• 7

  Use the circular saw to cut your shelves out of 1-by-10-inch pine. Measure the distance between the inside edges of the two side panels to determine the length of each shelf. This measurement should be equal to the total width of the cabinet, minus two inches.

• 8

  Slide the shelves into place horizontally between the side panels where you made the pencil marks. Drive nails from the nail gun through the side panels and back panel into the thickness of the shelves to attach them securely.

Finishing and Installing the Permanent Cabinet

• 9

  Construct a door for your cabinet by cutting a second sheet of 1/2-inch plywood to the total width and height dimensions of your cabinet. You may choose to divide your cabinet door in two by cutting it exactly in half.

• 10

  Lay your cabinet door(s) flat on top of the remaining open side of your cabinet and align the edges. Install two metal hinges along one side edge of each door, positioning each one about an inch from the corner. Screw the other end of each hinge into the cabinet frame to attach the door.

• 11

  Fill all nail and screw holes with wood filler. Once the filler has dried, sand it smooth using fine-grain sandpaper. If there are imperfections in the wood on the cabinet frame, or if you prefer to start with a completely smooth surface, sand these areas as well.

• 12

  Paint or stain your completed cabinet to match the decor in your room. Allow the paint or stain to dry completely before moving on.

• 13

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

• 14

  Have someone help you hold the cabinet up to the wall in the desired position with the back panel flat against the wall. Lay a level across the top of the cabinet to be sure it is straight and make adjustments if necessary.

• 15

  Open the cabinet doors and drive 3-inch wood screws through the back panel into the wall studs from inside the cabinet to attach it to the wall.