DIY Cubby House Plans

Check with the building inspector to find out if you need a building permit for the cubby house. A permit is generally not necessary for a building smaller than 10 feet square.

Find a location that drains well and provides level ground. Measure an 8-by-8-foot square and construct the outer frame by using two 8-foot lengths of 2-by-6 lumber for the front and rear rim joists, and two 7-foot-6-inch pieces of 2-by-6s for the side rim joists. Nail the outer frame together with nails in each corner. Spread a sheet of polyethylene film on the ground before placing the outer frame.

Cut five 7-foot-9-inch pieces of 2-by-6s to use as floor joists. Space them out every 16 inches and nail the ends to the side rim joists. Cover the floor joists with plywood, and attach the plywood to the floor joists with coated deck screws.

Frame the cubby house by building the walls on the ground and then standing them up and nailing them in place. Construct the walls using two 8-foot lengths of two-by-fours for the top and the bottom, and nail the wall studs between them at 2-foot intervals. For the front wall with a doorway, use two 8-foot two-by-fours for the top and bottom, and nail a stud at each end. Install a stud 22 inches from the right end of the front wall to make a doorway. Fasten another stud 48 inches from each side for the other side of the doorway. Nail the front wall to the floor. Cover it with plywood.

Construct the roof by installing an elevated ridge beam with two-by-fours and marking where the rafters will connect to it. Miter-cut the rafter ends and screw them through the beam into each rafter. Screw the ridge beam into position, and screw the battens to the top of the rafters. Cover the roof with roofing felt, and secure asphalt roof shingles with roofing nails. Add the front door and trim, and paint the cubby house.