DIY Armoire Closet

The Frame

• 1

  Create a rectangular frame out of 3/4-inch thick plywood sheets. The sides should measure 36 by 72 inches; the top and bottom should measure 36 by 34 1/2 inches.

• 2

  Have a helper hold the top and one side, lining up the edge of the top with the interior side of the other piece. Drill 2-inch wood screws through the side into the end of the top piece. Repeat this step with the other side and the other end of the top.

• 3

  Repeat Step 2 with the bottom piece and the sides to finish the frame.

• 4

  Lay a 36-by-72-inch piece of 3/4-inch thick plywood flat over the frame. Make the ends flush. Attach this piece to each side of the frame using the same tools for constructing the frame. This is the back of the closet.

• 5

  Sand the surface of the armoire with medium-grit sandpaper. Observe the direction of the wood grain and sand along the grain.

• 6

  Turn the armoire over so the front is facing up. Measure a 12-inch length across the face with a measuring tape. Mark the spot on the top and bottom pieces. This is where the middle support and divider will go. The divider will split the drawers from the open area for clothes to hang.

• 7

  Slide a piece of 3/4-inch plywood, measuring 36 by 70 1/2 inches, lengthwise into the frame. Set the top and bottom of this piece flush with the marks made on the top and bottom of the frame. This is the divider. Drill 2-inch screws through the top and bottom pieces of the frame into the ends of the divider.

The Doors

• 8

  Measure and mark a distance of 6 inches along the sides of the frame from both top and bottom. Line up a hinge that opens 270 degrees at each of the four marked locations. These hinges allow the doors to swing around to the sides of the frame. Drill 1-inch screws through the hinge holes into the frame.

• 9

  Divide a piece of 3/4-inch plywood, measuring 36 by 72 inches, in half lengthwise. Cut the sheet in half to create the two armoire doors. Attach door handles midway up the long sides of the doors using the hardware that came with the handles. Have the handles straddling the middle of the two doors.

• 10

  Paint the armoire with stain. Paint with the grain to allow the stain to dry evenly. Allow the stain to dry before continuing.

The Interior

• 11

  Stand the armoire up. Measure a 6-inch length down from the top of the frame along the side and divider where the hanging clothes will be. Mark this spot as the height of the garment bar. Measure an 18-inch length from the back of each side.

• 12

  Attach the mounting hardware for the bar on the inside face of the frame and divider. Set the hardware at the marks made for the bar placement.

• 13

  Measure a 24-inch length from the top of the closet. Mark the spot. Repeat the measurement from this mark and mark the new location. These will be the locations for your shelves.

• 14

  Measure and cut two pieces of 3/4-inch plywood, measuring 36 by 12 inches. Paint the shelves with the stain used for the armoire.

• 15

  Set the shelving into position in the closet. Drill screws through the frame into the ends of each shelf. Drill screws through the divider into the ends of each shelf.