How to Build Cabinets

Cabinets have become a regular fixture in homes everywhere. This wooden piece of boxlike furniture can be as simple as a square shelf box or it can be as elaborate and decorative to match your furnishings.

You can either have an interior decorator or a skilled carpenter make one for you or you have the option to make one of your own, which makes one wonder just how to build cabinets. We’ll just go over the process of making a simple cabinet without any frills just to give first timers an idea of how things are to be done.

Tools and Materials

You begin the process on how to build cabinets by preparing the necessary tools and materials. Of course, you’ll need sheets of wood, a choice between knobs or handles, wood putty, a drill, and a saw. You’ll also need screws, nails, and glue for this project.

Building Your Cabinet

The first step on how to build cabinets is to measure your sheets and then cut them according to your planned measurements. Make sure to mark where you will place drill holes and shelves. Pre-drill the holes at the marks you made. It is suggested that you make your drill holes around two millimeters deep. You then insert your shelves after making the drill holes.

Insert your shelves at the marks for these pieces you made when you cut your sheets. Make sure to keep a two millimeter gap from the front of the shelves. You then screw these shelves and glue them. We now move on to the next phase on how to build cabinets.

Place the shelf top also keeping the same gap as with the shelves. Screw it on through the pre-drilled pilot holes. You then attach the base of the shelf using glue and screws. Nail the kickboard to the base; remember to leave gaps between the edges and the kickboard.

The next part on how to build cabinets is fixing your doors. Drill holes on your door pieces for the shelves. Nail the door panels onto the front of your cabinet. Place your cabinet on the floor and cut out the places for the door hinges. Screw in your doors and stand your cabinet right side up.

The last few things you need to think about on how to build cabinets are the finishing touches. Now you affix your knobs or handles on your doors. Use putty to fill up any holes you can find on your piece. Sand the cabinet surface and apply paint and lacquer if you wish.