DIY Basic Plywood Cabinet

Draw a sketch of your basic plywood cabinet design on a sheet of paper. You may choose to build your cabinet with a single compartment and multiple shelves or divide it into several sections and install shelves at various intervals.

Use a measuring tape to measure the space in which you plan to install your plywood cabinet. Take the width, height and depth measurements of the space to determine the dimensions of your cabinet. Write these measurements into your sketch.

Cut two sheets of 1/2-inch plywood to the desired length and depth measurement of your cabinet using a circular saw. These boards will serve as the top and bottom panels for your cabinet.

Use the circular saw to cut two more sheets of 1/2-inch plywood using the depth measurement and the height measurement, minus 1 inch to account for the thickness of the top and bottom panels. These two pieces of plywood will become your side panels.

Stand the four plywood panels you just cut upright on their longest narrow sides and arrange them in a rectangle shape. Sandwich the side panels between the top and bottom panels. Secure the frame by driving 1-inch wood screws through the top and bottom panels into the side panels.

Measure and mark the position for your dividers, if you choose to use any, on the top and bottom panels in pencil. Cut your dividers from sheets of 1/2-inch plywood using the same dimensions as the side panels. Install the dividers by sliding them vertically between the top and bottom panels, then screw them in place.

Cut the shelves for your cabinet out of 1/2-inch sheets of plywood using the depth and width measurements of your cabinet. If you divided your cabinet into multiple compartments, measure the width of each compartment and cut your shelves to this width rather than the total width of the cabinet.

Install your shelves by sliding them horizontally between the side panels and/or dividers. Drive 1-inch wood screws through the side panels and dividers into the shelves to secure them in place.

Cut a sheet of 1/2-inch plywood using the total width and height measurements of the cabinet. Lay this sheet of plywood flat on top of the completed frame, aligning the outer edges, to serve as the back panel. Drive nails from a nail gun through the back panel into the top, bottom and side panels as well as the shelves and dividers to secure it in place.

Use the width and height measurement of your completed cabinet to cut a sheet of 1/2-inch plywood for a cabinet door. If you divided your cabinet into compartments, cut your doors to the width and height of each compartment. Attach two metal hinges, one about 2 inches from each corner along one side of the door, and screw the other side of the hinges into the cabinet frame.

Paint or stain your finished plywood cabinet. If you prefer to paint your cabinet, apply one or two coats of interior-grade latex paint. To stain the cabinet, apply thin coats of stain and wipe away the excess between coats.