How to Build a Sliding Cabinet to Hide Storage

Measure the height, width and depth of the area to be enclosed in the cabinet, using a tape measure. Note the measurements on a piece of paper. Cut two pieces of 1-inch plywood to the width and depth you measured, using a circular saw. Fit the 1/2-inch pilot bearing into the router.

Cut a 1/2-inch-wide, 1/2-inch-deep groove 1/4 inch from one of the cabinet-width edges of both plywood sheets, using the router. Cut a second 1/2-inch-wide, 1/2-inch-deep groove 1/4 inch in from the first groove on each sheet. Both grooves must run parallel with the cabinet-width edges of the sheets.

Cut two sheets of 1-inch plywood as long as the cabinet height, and as wide as the cabinet depth. Screw one sheet on either end of one of the grooved sheets, using a hammer drill with screwdriver drill bit to countersink three 2-inch screws in each joint. This forms the basic frame of the cabinet, less the cabinet top.

Cut two sheets of 1/2-inch plywood as long as half the width of the cabinet and as wide as the height of the cabinet minus 1 inch. Screw a cabinet door handle in the middle of one cabinet-height-length edge on each sheet. Stand the first sheet in the front groove in the cabinet frame, with the door handle facing left. Stand the second sheet in the rear groove with the door handle facing right.

Screw the second grooved sheet between the height and depth sheets, with the grooves on the second sheet facing the grooves on the first sheet. Use three countersunk 2-inch screws per joint, to reinforce the cabinet. Before screwing the cabinet top into the frame, ensure the two 1/2-inch plywood sheets are sitting in the grooves, otherwise the doors will warp.

Cut a sheet of 1/2-inch plywood to the width and height of the cabinet. Nail the sheet to the back of the cabinet using a hammer and 1-inch nails. Varnish the cabinet using a paintbrush. Wait two hours for the varnish to dry before placing the cabinet where you wish it to stand.