Create a Stylish DIY Mini Fridge Cabinet with This Step-by-Step Guide
Are you looking for space saving solutions for a college student in your life? Look no further than DIY mini fridge cabinet plans! This simple design takes advantage of the small space by surrounding the compact refrigerator with three drawers and two cabinets, while shelves on either side maximize storage options. Not only that, it will hide all those Ramen noodles and other “meals” they prepare in their dorm rooms – it’s a win-win!
Materials:
- 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws (<– affiliate link!)
- 1-1/4″ brad nails
- Edge banding (<– affiliate link!)
- 3 sets of 18″ Drawer slides (<– affiliate link!)
- Cabinet pulls
- 2 sets of hinges
- 2 magnetic catches
- Wood glue
- Sandpaper (100, 150, 220 grits)
- Finishing supplies (primer & paint, or stain, sealer)
Lumber:
- 2 – 1×2 at 6′
- 3 sheets of 3/4″ plywood
Cut List:
- 4 – 3/4″ plywood at 20″ x 43-3/4″ – Sides
- 4 – 1×2 at 12″ – Side Bottom Supports
- 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 12″ x 20″ – Side Bottom
- 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 12″ x 35″ – Side Back
- 2 – 1×2 at 20″ – Center Bottom Supports
- 1 – 1×2 at 17″ – Center Bottom Supports
- 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 20″ x 20″ – Center Bottom
- 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 12″ x 20″ – Side Drawer Shelves
- 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 20″ x 20″ – Center Drawer Shelf
- 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 5-3/4″ x 12″ – Upper Side Back
- 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 5-3/4″ x 20″ – Upper Center Back
- 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 20″ x 47″ – Top
- 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 12″ x 18-1/4″ – Shelves
- 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 9-1/2″ x 16-1/2″ – Side Drawer Bottoms
- 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 16-1/2″ x 17-1/2″ – Center Drawer Bottom
- 6 – 3/4″ plywood at 4″ x 16-1/2″ – Side & Center Drawer Sides
- 4 – 3/4″ plywood at 4″ x 11″ – Side Drawer Front & Back
- 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 4″ x 19″ – Center Drawer Front & Back
- 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 5-1/2″ x 11-1/4″ – Side Drawer Fronts
- 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 5-1/2″ x 19-3/4″ – Center Drawer Front
- 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 11-3/4″ x 34-3/4″ – Doors
Step One
Edge banding will be applied to the exposed edges of the plywood prior to assembly!
Cut the pieces for the sides and the side bottom supports. With the pocket hole jig set for 3/4″ material, drill pocket holes in each end of the supports. Secure the supports to the sides using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws. The front supports will be located 3/4″ back from the front edge of the sides.
Step Two
Cut the pieces for the side bottoms. Secure to the supports using glue and 1-1/4″ brad nails.
Step Three
Cut the pieces for the side back pieces and drill pocket holes in all four edges. Secure the back pieces to the sides and bottom using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.
Step Four
Cut the pieces for the center bottom supports and drill pocket holes in each end. Secure the shorter support to the center of the longer supports using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws. Secure the support assembly to each of the side cabinets using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws. The front support will be located 3/4″ back from the front edge of the sides.
Step Five
Cut the piece for the center bottom. Secure to the supports using glue and 1-1/4″ brad nails.
Step Six
Cut the pieces for the drawer shelves and drill pocket holes in each side edge. Secure to the sides as shown using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws. Secure the side shelves with pocket hole screws through the top of each back piece.
Step Seven
Cut the pieces for the upper back and drill pocket holes in the side edges, as well as the lower edge. Secure to the sides and the shelves using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.
Step Eight
Cut the piece for the top. Secure to the sides and back pieces using glue and 1-1/4″ brad nails.
Step Nine
Cut the pieces for the shelves and drill pocket holes in the side and back edges. Secure to the sides and back of the cabinets using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.
Step Ten
Cut the pieces for the drawer boxes. Drill pocket holes in all four edges of the bottom as well as each end of the sides. Assemble the drawer boxes as shown using glue and 1-1/4” pocket hole screws. Install the drawer slides according to the manufacturer’s installation instructions, locating them ¾” back from the front edge of the sides. This easy tutorial on installing drawer slides will be helpful. Make any necessary adjustments.
Step Eleven
Cut the pieces for the drawer fronts. Mark the position for the drawer pulls and drill the holes. Shim the drawer front in the opening – there will be a 1/8” gap around all sides – then drive screws through the holes for the drawer pulls into the drawer box. Open the drawer, and secure the drawer front using countersunk 1-1/4” screws from the inside. Remove the screws from the holes for the drawer pull then finish drilling the holes. Install the drawer pull. Take a look at this easy tutorial on installing drawer fronts.
Step Twelve
Cut the pieces for the doors. Install the hinges on the doors, then install the doors in the openings. There will be a 1/8″ gap around all sides of the doors. Make any necessary adjustments.
Finish as desired, then install the cabinet pulls.
If the fridge cabinet is too wide for the space, one side drawer/cabinet can be omitted shortening the width by about 12″. This is also a great piece for a game room or family room! Have any questions about the DIY mini fridge cabinet plans? Leave a comment below or contact me at cher {at} designsbystudioc {dot} com!
Originally posted 2014-07-16 08:00:52.
