How to Build a 36-Inch Kitchen Base Cabinet

Building kitchen base cabinets can easily be done to any dimensions. The basic shape of the kitchen cabinet is fairly standard, and can be customized with a variety of inlays, door changes and cabinetry options. Base cabinets are easier to install since they don't have to be mounted to the wall, but can simply be set on the floor and pushed against the wall. The only difference is that the bottom of the cabinet is raised three inches to protect the items stored on it from water and pest damage.

Plywood boards, 1/2-by-35-by-35 inches, 3
Plywood boards, 1/2-by-35-by-36 inches
Drill
Drill bits
Wood screws, 2-inch
Wood screws, 1/2-inch
Plywood board, 1/2-by-36-by-35-1/2 inches
Plywood board, 1/2-by-32-1/2-by-36 inches
Plywood board, 1/2-by-3-by-36 inches
Side-mount cabinet hinges, 2
Additional plywood shelf boards, 1/2-by-35-by-35 inches

Instructions

- 1
  Set two 1/2-by-35-by-35-inch boards parallel to each other on the working surface. Hold them upright with the help of an assistant, to serve as the cabinet side boards. Position a 1/2-by-35-by-36-inch board against one set of ends. Hold this board, which is the cabinet top board, so that the three boards form a U-shape.
- 2
  Drill six holes through the top board and into each side board. Attach the boards together by setting 2-inch wood screws in the holes and tightening them completely.
- 3
  Position a 1/2-by-35-by-35-inch board between the side boards of the cabinet, about three inches from the bottom end of the cabinet. Consider this board the bottom board. Drill five holes through each side board and into this bottom board. Attach the bottom board with 2-inch wood screws through each hole.
- 4
  Position a 1/2-by-36-by-35-1/2-inch board on top of the frame so that its edges are even with the edges of the cabinet. Drill holes every 12 inches into this board, which is the rear board, and into the side, top and bottom boards. Attach the rear board in place with 2-inch wood screws.
- 5
  Flip the frame over and position a 1/2-by-3-by-36-inch board in place on the bottom of the front of the cabinet, covering the space below the bottom board. Drill holes every six inches into this board, which is the bottom front board, and into the side boards and bottom board. Attach the bottom front board in place with 2-inch wood screws.
- 6
  Set a 1/2-by-32-1/2-by-36-inch board in place above the bottom front board to be the door of the cabinet. Slide two evenly placed side-mount cabinet hinges in position on the door and side board of the cabinet, lifting the door if necessary to position them. Mark the location of their screw holes and drill the holes out. Mount the hinges to the door and side board with 1/2-inch wood screws. Stand the cabinet upright and set it in position in the kitchen.

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