How to Build a Media Closet

Place all of the 2-inch material on a worktable. Drill pilot holes ½ inch from the top and bottom on the ends of the 22-inch pieces.

Drill pilot holes along the bottom edge of all the 2-inch pieces. Do not allow the pilot holes to be more than 3/8 inch up from the bottom edge.

Apply glue to the ends of the 21½-inch pieces and secure them between the 22-inch pieces with the 4d finish nails. Apply glue to the edges of the 21½-by-20½-by-¾-inch plywood, slip them inside the frames (Steps 1 and 2) and secure them to the frames with the 4d finish nails. These are the rollout shelves. Set these aside for now.

Place the two 80-inch pieces of plywood on the worktable. Measure from one end and make marks at 40 and 40¾ inches. Place the framing square on these marks and draw a line across the 23-inch width.

Apply glue to the 23-inch edges of the 24-by-23-inch plywood. Secure them to the 80-inch plywood, one at each end (top and bottom) and one between the lines drawn in Step 4 with the 4d finish nails.

Apply glue to the ¾-inch edges of the assembly from Step 5. Place the ¼-inch plywood on the assembly and secure it with the 2d box nails.

Install the drawer slides to the 22-inch sides of the rollouts and inside the media closet according to manufacturer's instructions. Cut holes in the back of the media closet with a jigsaw or hole saw to allow ventilation and access to cables and electrical cords. For more on ventilation, see "Home Theater Closet Cooling" in the Resource section of this article.