DIY Cabinet

Draw up a sketch of your desired cabinet on a sheet of paper. The most basic cabinet design consists of a single compartment with one or more shelves. You may choose to use this design or build dividers into your cabinet to split it into multiple compartments, each with as many shelves as you like.

Measure the space where you intend to place your cabinet with a measuring tape to determine the ideal dimensions for your cabinet. You will be using 1-by-10 inch pine boards to construct the panels for your cabinet, so the depth of your cabinet will be 10 inches. You may choose the total height and width of your cabinet.

Cut two pieces of 1-by-10 inch pine to the desired width of your cabinet using a circular saw. These boards will serve as the top and bottom panels. Cut two more pieces of 1-by-10 inch pine, using the desired height measurement of your cabinet, for the side panels.

Arrange the four pine panels you just cut in a rectangular shape. Position the boards upright on their longest narrow edges and 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.

Cut additional sheets of 1-by-10 inch pine to the same dimensions as your side panels to serve as dividers. If you do not plan to divide your cabinet into multiple compartments you may skip this step. Slide the dividers vertically between the top and bottom panels in the desired position and attach them by driving nails from a nail gun through the top and bottom panels into the dividers.

Use the circular saw to cut sheets of 1-by-10 inch pine to size for your cabinet shelves. If you chose not to divide your cabinet, cut your shelves to the interior width of the cabinet — the measurement between the inside edges of the side panels. If you installed dividers, cut your shelves to the width of each individual compartment.

Measure and mark the desired position of your shelves on the side panels of your cabinet in pencil. Slide the shelves horizontally between the side panels and dividers where you made the marks. Attach the shelves by driving nails through the side panels and dividers into the thickness of each shelf.

Cut a sheet of 1/2-inch plywood using the total width and height of your completed cabinet frame. Lay the plywood flat on top of the frame, aligning the outside edges, to serve as the back panel. Drive nails through the back panel into the top, bottom and side panels, as well as the shelves and dividers, to attach it securely.

Paint or stain your cabinet. If you prefer to paint your cabinet, use an interior-grade latex paint. To stain your cabinet, brush on thin coats of stain and then wipe away the excess.

Mount your finished cabinet on the wall or leave it freestanding. To mount your cabinet, install wall mount brackets on the back of the cabinet. Drive nails or drywall anchors into the wall in the desired position for your cabinet and hang the cabinet from the brackets.