How to Build a Child's Play Cupboard

• 1

  Select an old TV stand, entertainment center, nightstand or other storage unit to make into a play cupboard. The type you choose depends on availability and what kind of play your child uses it for. For instance, a short TV stand works well as a play kitchen cupboard, while a furniture piece with tall doors or shelves works well as a dress-up cupboard.

• 2

  Clean the unit thoroughly with mild soap and water. Unscrew any hardware for drawers or doors you won't use or that you want to paint.

• 3

  Remove or rearrange any shelves in the cupboard. Remove shelving in a tall wardrobe cupboard, for example, except for, perhaps, one shelf on the top for a locker-style cubpoard.

• 4

  Remove any doors on the unit before painting it.

• 5

  Brush a layer of primer on the unit, and let it dry completely.

• 6

  Paint the cupboard in your desired color and let it dry. Paint any removed doors or drawers and let them dry.

• 7

  Re-attach the doors and all other unit pieces you plan to use.

Doors

• 8

  Build doors on a cupboard that doesn't already have them. Measure the thickness of the cupboard wood as well as the height and width of the cupboard's face where the doors will sit. For instance, a cupboard may have 1-inch thick wood planks with a height of 24 inches and width of 36 inches.

• 9

  Subtract 1 inch from each of these measurements to give your doors clearance, then divide that number by two. For instance, your cupboard may need doors that measure 12.5 inches high and 17.5 inches wide in total.

• 10

  Sand and paint the cut doors the same color as the rest of the cupboard.

• 11

  Mount hinges on the front inside of the cupboard. Put the hinges at least 1/2 inch from the top and bottom of the cupboard. Set them back slightly to account for the thickness of the doors so they sit flush with the front once mounted. Repeat the step so you have two sets of hinges on either side of the cupboard.

• 12

  Mount the door and attach it to the hinge according to the directions that come with the hinges. Hold the plank straight with one hand while drilling in the screws, or clamp it in place beforehand. Test the door by opening and closing it to ensure it doesn't stick. Install the second door in the same manner.

• 13

  Install knobs or door pulls according to their label instructions.