How to Build a Built in China Closet

When its time to store away the china, transforming an extra kitchen or dining room closet into a built-in china closet is a project any do it yourself homeowner can accomplish with confidence. In most cases, closets are deeper than china cabinets, but since this project is a china closet, the depth is entirely up to the homeowner. Use wood that naturally compliments the room's décor or something that stains or paints to match the existing décor.

12-by-84-by-3/4-inch plywood, 2 pieces
Framing square
Wood glue
12-by-24-by-3/4-inch plywood, 7 pieces
Small box of 4-penny finish nails
Hammer
4-by-24-by-3/4-inch plywood, 2 pieces
25 1/2-by-81 3/4-by-1/4-inch plywood, 1 piece
Small box of 2-penny box nails
Damp cloth
86-by-7/8-inch veneer edge band, 2 pieces
Iron
24-by-7/8-inch veneer edge band, 7 pieces
2 1/4-by-24-by-3/4-inch plywood, 1 piece
25 1/2-by-81 3/4-by-3/4-inch plywood, 1 piece
83 1/4-by-7/8-inch veneer edge band, 2 pieces
25 1/2-by-7/8-inch veneer edge band, 2 pieces
Straightedge, 84-inches long
Jigsaw
1/2-by-1/2-by-77 3/4-inch lumber, 2 pieces
1/2-by-1/2-by-20 1/2-inch lumber, 2 pieces
21 1/2-by-77 3/4-by-1/4-inch glass, 1 piece
1-inch brads
1-by-79 3/4-by-1/2-inch flat mold, 2 pieces
1-by-20 1/2-by-1/2-inch flat mold, 2 pieces
Full overlay heavy-duty cabinet door hinges, 3 pieces

Instructions

- 1
  Place the 12-by-84-by-3/4-inch plywood on a worktable. Measure from one end and make marks at 2 1/4, 3, 14 1/4, 15, 27 1/4, 28, 43, 43 3/4, 56 1/2, 57 1/4, 69 1/4, 70 and 83 1/4-inches. Put the framing square on the marks and draw lines across the plywood. These are the sides to china closet.
- 2
  Apply glue to the ends of the 12-by-24-by-3/4-inch pieces of plywood. These are the shelves. Secure them between the lines drawn on the sides and at the top with the finish nails.
- 3
  Secure one the 4-by-24-by-3/4-inch pieces of plywood to the bottom side of the shelf at 27 1/4 and the shelf at the top with the finish nails. Put some glue on the exposed 3/4-inch edges. Place the 25 1/2-by-81 3/4-by-1/4-inch plywood on the glue and secure it with the box nails.
- 4
  Lay the 86-inch strip of veneer on the 3/4-inch edge of the side that is facing up. Heat it with the iron to activate the adhesive and stick the veneer to the front edge. Fold the ends over the corners of the side at the top and bottom to break them off evenly.
- 5
  Sand the long edges of the veneer with the sanding block to make them even with the long edges of the side. Repeat this with the other side and the shelves as well. Next, secure the 2 1/4-by-24-by-3/4-inch plywood between the sides and the bottom of the bottom shelf with the finish nails.
- 6
  Set the 25 1/2-by-81 3/4-by-3/4-inch plywood on the worktable. This is the door. Cover the edges with the veneer edge band in the same manner as before. Measure in from the four sides and make two marks per side at 2-inches.
- 7
  Hold the straightedge on the marks and draw lines to form a rectangle. Drill a 5/8-inch hole inside the lines at one corner for the jigsaw blade, and cut out the rectangle with the jigsaw. Secure the 1/2-by-1/2-by-77 3/4-inch lumber inside the cutout with the 1-inch brads. Repeat this with the shorter pieces.
- 8
  Turn the door over and put the glass in the cutout. Secure the 79 3/4-inch pieces of the 1-inch flat mold to the back of the door so it hangs over the glass 1/2-inch with the 1-inch brads. Secure the remaining flat mold between the long pieces in the same manner.
- 9
  Install the hinges on the door with the screws provided. Place one of the hinges 3-inches from the top and bottom and one in the center. Install the door on the china closet.

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