How to Frame a Cupboard

Use measuring tape to measure out the desired dimensions of your cupboard and decide exactly where on the wall you want to install it. In many cases, cupboards are built down from the ceiling and may extend all the way to the counter top.

Cut four pieces of 1-by-2-inch hardwood to the desired length of your cupboard using a jig saw. Cut four more pieces to the depth and four to the desired height of your cupboard. These are the pieces you will use to construct the basic frame for your cupboard. If you intend to install shelves, cut two additional pieces of 1-by-2-inch hardwood to the depth of your cupboard for each desired shelf.

Locate the studs in the wall on which you intend to mount your cupboard, using a stud finder, and mark their positions lightly on the wall in pencil. You will be attaching your cupboard frame to the studs to ensure that the entire weight of the cupboard and its contents are adequately supported.

Lay two of the pieces of 1-by-2-inch hardwood cut to the length of the cupboard flat against the wall at the desired position of the top and bottom of the cupboard. Have someone hold the pieces of wood in place as you drive 1 1/2-inch wood screws through the wood into the studs in the wall.

Install the four pieces of 1-by-2-inch hardwood cut to the depth of the cupboard, positioning one at each end of the two boards you just installed on the wall. Position the four new boards perpendicular to the first two so the inside edges are flush with the ends of the pieces attached to the walls, and align the top and bottom edges. Drive 1 1/2-inch wood screws at an angle through the new pieces of wood into the studs in the walls and into the wood already installed to secure them in place.

Lay two of the pieces of 1-by-2-inch hardwood cut to the height of the cupboard upright on their narrow sides flush with the wall, sandwiched between the upper and lower pieces of wood you just installed. Secure the vertical supports in place by driving 1 1/2-inch wood screws through the new pieces of wood into the wall studs and the pieces of the frame already installed.

Take both of the remaining pieces of 1-by-2-inch hardwood cut to the length of the cabinet and place them horizontally between the two upper and lower pieces installed perpendicular to the wall. Align the upper and lower edges of the wood then secure it in place by driving 1 1/2-inch wood screws through the horizontal pieces into the perpendicular pieces.

Sandwich the remaining two pieces of 1-by-2-inch hardwood cut to the height of the cupboard between the upper and lower horizontal pieces you just installed. Drive 1 1/2-inch wood screws at an angle through the vertical pieces into the horizontal pieces to secure them in place.

Install the shelf supports inside the cabinet frame by first measuring and marking the desired height of the shelves on the vertical supports in pencil. Lay the shelf supports, the extra pieces of wood cut to the depth the cupboard, inside the frame between the front and back vertical supports and secure them to the frame using 1 1/2-inch wood screws. When you complete your cupboard, you will lay the shelves on top of these supports inside the cupboard.

Cut pieces of 1/2-inch pressure-treated plywood to size to cover the sides of the cupboard. You will need two pieces cut to the length and depth of the cupboard for the top and bottom and two pieces cut to the depth and height of the cupboard for the sides. Lay the pieces of plywood flat against the frame, aligning the edges, and secure them in place by driving nails from a nail gun through the plywood into the frame.

Complete the cupboard in whatever style you prefer. You may choose to leave it open in the front or construct a door using 1/2-inch plywood. You may also choose to paint or stain the cupboard to match the existing decor scheme in the room in which you installed it.