Plans to Build a Two-Piece Armoire

An Easy to Build Piece for Storage

The plans to build a two-piece armoire were my first reader request, and I designed them years ago! It was such a great build for the reader and she was really pleased with the outcome! This fabulous DIY armoire features three drawers on the bottom piece and two doors with shelving behind on the top. This plan is suitable for absolutely any skill level!

 Materials:

• 1″ pocket hole screws
• 1-1/4” pocket hole screws
• 1-1/4” brad nails
• Three sets of 18” drawer slides (<– affiliate link!)
• Five drawer knobs or handles
• Two sets of hinges
• Closet rod and hardware
• Glue & Finishing Supplies

Lumber:

• 2 – 1×2 at 6’
• 9 – 1×3 at 8’
• 4 – 1×6 at 6’
• 3 – 1×6 at 8’
• One sheet of ¼” plywood
• One sheet of ½” plywood
• Two sheets of ¾” plywood
• Two – 8’ pieces of 4” baseboard trim

 Cut List:

• 4 – 1×3 at 31-1/4” – Lower Box Side Frames
• 4 – 1×3 at 17” – Upper and Lower Box Side Frames
• 4 – 1×6 at 17” – Upper and Lower Box Side Frames
• 2 – ½” plywood at 17” x 23-1/4” – Lower Box Side Panels
• 1 – ¾” plywood at 22” x 44-1/2” – Lower Box Bottom
• 1 – ¾” plywood at 25-3/4” x 44-1/2” – Lower Box Back
• 1 – ¾”plywood at 4-3/4” x 44-1/2” – Lower Box Kick Plate
• 3 – 1×3 at 44-1/2” – Lower Box Stretchers and Upper Box Apron
• 1 – ¾” plywood at 22-1/2” x 47” – Top
• 2 – 1×3 at 40” – Upper Box Side Frames
• 2 – ½” plywood at 17” x 32” – Upper Box Side Panels
• 2 – ¾” plywood at 21-1/4” x 44-1/2” – Upper Box Shelves
• 1 – ¾” plywood at 36-3/4” x 44-1/2” – Upper Box Back
• 2 – 1×2 at 37-1/2” – Door Frame
• 2 – 4” Baseboard Trim at 22” – Lower Trim
• 1 – 4” Baseboard Trim at 47” – Lower Trim
• 6 – 1×6 at 18-1/2” – Drawer Boxes
• 6 – 1×6 at 43-1/2” – Drawer Boxes
• 3 – ¼” plywood at 20” x 43-1/2” – Drawer Bottoms
• 2 – ¾” plywood at 7-3/4” x 44-1/4” – Drawer Fronts
• 1 – ¾” plywood at 8” x 44-1/4” – Drawer Front
• 4 – 1×3 at 37-1/4” – Doors
• 4 – 1×3 at 15-9/16” – Doors
• 2 – ½” plywood at 15-9/16” x 32-1/4” – Doors
• 2 – 1×2 at 22” – Upper Trim 1
• 1 – 1×2 at 47-1/2” – Upper Trim 1
• 2 – 1×3 at 29-1/4”- Upper Trim 2
• 1 – 1×3 at 49-1/2” – Upper Trim 2
• Optional shelves for Upper Box – ¾” plywood at 21-1/4” x 44-1/2”

Building the Lower Box:

Step One

Cut the pieces for the lower box sides. Drill pocket holes as shown using the appropriate settings for the thickness of the plywood. The pocket holes in the top edge of the upper frame piece are used to attach the top. Attach the top and bottom frame pieces to the ends of the panels using glue and 1″ pocket hole screws. The back of the panel will be flush with the inside face of the frame pieces. Attach the assembly to the sides using glue and pocket hole screws. Use 1″ pocket hole screws through the panels into the sides, and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws through the frame pieces into the sides.

Step Two

Cut the piece for the bottom. Drill pocket holes in each end. Attach to the sides as shown using glue and 1-1/4″pocket hole screws.

Step Three

Cut the piece for the back and drill pocket holes as shown. Attach to the sides and bottom using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Step Four

Cut the piece for the kick plate and drill pocket holes in each end as well as one long edge. Attach to the underside of the bottom using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Step Five

Cut the pieces for the stretchers and drill pocket holes in each end. Attach to the sides as shown using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Step Six

Cut the piece for the top. The front and sides will overlap by 1/2″. Secure to the cabinet using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws through the back and upper side frames into the top.

Step Seven

Cut the baseboard pieces for the lower trim. Attach the sides first using glue and 1-1/4″brad nails, then attach the front in the same manner.

Building the Upper Box:

Step Eight

Cut the pieces for the sides and assemble in the same manner as the sides for the lower box.

Step Nine

Cut the piece for the upper apron and drill pocket holes in each end. Attach to the sides using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Step Ten

Cut the pieces for the shelves and drill pocket holes as shown. Attach using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws. The bottom shelf will be located 3/4″ back from the front edge.

Step Eleven

Cut the piece for the back and drill pocket holes as shown. Attach using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Step Twelve

Cut the pieces for the door frame and drill holes in one end of each piece. Attach to the upper apron using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws. Secure the bottom part of the door trim with glue and 1-1/4″ brad nails.

Step Thirteen

Stack the upper box onto the top of the lower box. Secure with screws, if desired.

Step Fourteen

Cut the pieces for the drawer boxes. Assemble as shown using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Cut the pieces for the drawer bottoms. Attach using glue and 1-1/4″ brad nails. Attach the drawer slides according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This tutorial will be very helpful!

Step Fifteen

Cut the pieces for the drawer fronts. There will be a 1/8″ gap around all sides. Note that the bottom drawer front  is taller than the other two drawer fronts! Use this tutorial on installing drawer fronts as a guide!

Step Sixteen

Cut the pieces for the doors. Assemble the doors in the same manner as the sides were assembled and install the hinges.

Step Seventeen

Cut the pieces for the lower trim. Attach the sides first, using glue and 1-1/4″ brad nails, then attach the front piece. Repeat this process for the upper trim 1.

Cut the pieces for the upper trim 2. Secure the sides as shown using glue and 1-1/4″ brad nails, then attach the front in the same manner.

Have questions about the plans to build a two-piece armoire? Leave a comment below!

Originally posted 2012-09-28 08:00:47.