How to Build a Shoe & Purse Storage Cabinet

Measure the space where you intend to install your shoe and purse storage cabinet with a measuring tape. Record the length, depth and height measurements of the space to determine the dimensions of your cabinet.

Make a sketch of your cabinet and write in the measurements you just took. Decide how many horizontal shelves you would like to use to divide your cabinet and how many vertical dividers you plan to install to divide it into cubbies. It may be wise to create one or two low shelves for shoes and a taller shelf for purses.

Cut two sheets of 1/2-inch plywood to the length and depth dimensions of your cabinet using a circular saw. These boards will serve as the top and bottom panels. Use the circular saw to cut two more sheets of 1/2-inch plywood, this time using the depth measurement and the height measurement, minus 1 inch. These will be the side panels.

Assemble a rectangular frame using the four boards you just cut, positioning them upright on their longest narrow edges. Sandwich the side panels between the ends of the top and bottom panels. Drive nails from a nail gun through the top and bottom panels into the side panels to secure them.

Measure and mark the position of your shelves on the side panels of your cabinet frame in pencil. Cut shelves from 1/2-inch plywood using the depth measurement of your cabinet and the length measurement, minus 1 inch to account for the width of the side panels.

Slide the shelves horizontally between the side panels. Attach the shelves by driving nails through the side panels into the thickness of the shelves.

Cut any vertical dividers you intend to install out of 1/2-inch plywood using the depth measurement of the cabinet and the height of your individual shelves. Measure out and mark the desired position for each divider and slide it into place. Secure the dividers with nails through the top and bottom panels as well as the horizontal shelves.

Paint or stain your completed shoe and purse cabinet. Once the paint or stain has dried you may choose to apply a coat of clear varnish or polyurethane. This will help protect your cabinet from water damage, which will be important if you install your cabinet in a mud room.

Place your completed cabinet in the desired position. Slide the cabinet against the wall so the back edges of the frame are flush with the wall.

Anchor the cabinet to the wall by driving 2-inch wood screws at an angle through the corners of the frame into the wall studs. You may need to use a stud finder to find the wall studs.