DIY Plans to Build a Sliding Door Pantry

An Excellent Cabinet for Storage with Sliding Doors

A pantry is always a fabulous piece of furniture for any room. The DIY plans to build a Sliding Door Pantry feature five shelves behind two sliding doors. There is also trim under the top and at the bottom for a decorative look. the doors use fender washers that slide in channels cut into the bottom and the header. Even though this is a very large piece, it is very economical to build and can be completed in a weekend!

The doors can also be altered to use hinges instead of sliding in the channels. The width of the door rails and panels will have to be adjusted by about 1-3/8″.

Materials:

• 1″ pocket hole screws
• 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws (<– affiliate link!)
• 1-1/4″ brad nails
• 1-1/4″ screws
• 2″ screws
• Edge banding, optional (<– affiliate link!)
• 12 – 1-1/2″ fender washers with a 3/8″ opening
• 12 – 1/2″ washers
• 3/4″ screws
• Cabinet pulls
• Wood glue
• Sandpaper (100, 150, 220 grits)
• Finishing supplies (primer & paint, or stain, sealer)

Lumber:

• 2 – 1×2 at 6′
• 6 – 1×2 at 8′
• 1 – 1×3 at 4′
• 5 – 1×3 at 8′
• 1 – 1×4 at 4′
• 2 – 1×4 at 8′
• 1 – 2×4 at 6′
• 1 – 4′ x 8′ sheet of 1/2″ plywood
• 5 – 4′ x 8′ sheets of 3/4″ plywood
• 2 – 8′ pieces of base trim about 3-1/2″ wide
• 2 – 8′ pieces of narrow trim (crown bed moulding can also be used)

Cut List:

• 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 23-1/4″ x 51″ – Bottom
• 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 23-1/4″ x 89-1/4″ – Sides
• 2 – 1×4 (ripped to 3-1/8″ wide) at 51″ – Bottom Support
• 1 – 1×4 (ripped to 3-1/8″ wide) at 21-3/4″ – Bottom Support
• 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 23-3/4″ x 85-3/8″ – Back
• 1 – 1×4 at 85-3/8″ – Back
• 8 – 1×2 at 51″ – Shelf Frames
• 12 – 1×2 at 18-1/2″ – Shelf Frames
• 4 – 3/4″ plywood at 20-1/2″ x 51″ – Shelves
• 4 – 1×3 at 83-5/8″ – Door Stiles
• 6 – 1×3 at 21-3/4″ – Door Rails
• 4 – 1/2″ plywood at 21-3/4″ x 38-1/16″ – Door Panels
• 1 – 2×4 at 51″ – Cabinet Header
• 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 24-3/4″ x 55-1/2″ – Top
• Narrow trim and base trim cut to fit

Click on the drawings for a larger view!

Step One

Edge banding will be applied to the exposed edges of the plywood prior to assembly.

Cut the piece for the bottom. With the pocket hole jig set for 3/4″ material, drill pocket holes in each end of the bottom piece. On the opposite side, cut the channels in the front edge using a table saw. The channels are 1/8″ wide (the same as the kerf of the blade) and 1/4″ deep.

Step Two

Cut the pieces for the sides. Secure the bottom to the sides as shown using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Step Three

Cut the pieces for the bottom supports and drill pocket holes in each end. Secure the supports to the bottom using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws. Add a few brad nails through the bottom into the top edge of the supports.

Step Four

Cut the pieces for the back. Drill pocket holes in the side and bottom edges of the panel, as well as one end only of the center panel piece (the 1×4). Secure the panels to the center panel piece using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws. Secure the back panel assembly to the sides and bottom of the cabinet using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Step Five

Cut the pieces for the shelf frames. Drill pocket holes in each end of the shorter pieces. Assemble the frames using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Position the frames inside the cabinet as shown, securing in place using glue and countersunk 1-1/4″ screws through the sides and back of the frames. The back of the frames will be flush with the back of the cabinet.

Step Six

Cut the pieces for the shelves. The shelves will be positioned so they are flush with the back of the frames, and will overhang the fronts by 1/2″. Secure the shelves to the frames using glue and 1-1/4″ brad nails.

Step Seven

Cut the pieces for the doors. Drill pocket holes in each end of the rail pieces. Assemble the frames using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Set the pocket hole jig for 1/2″ material and drill pocket holes in all four edges of the panels. Secure the panels to the frame using glue and 1″ pocket hole screws. The back faces of the panels will be flush with the inside faces of the frames.

Attach the fender washers to the top and bottom edges of the doors (on the back sides) as shown. The washers will not roll but will slide in the channels. The washers will extend 3/8″ past the top and bottom of the doors. The doors will be “sandwiched” between the bottom of the cabinet and the header. Place the doors in the opening (with the washers resting in the channels) before securing the header.

Step Eight

Cut the piece for the header. Cut the channels in the same manner as the channels were cut in the bottom piece. Secure the header to the sides using countersunk 2″ screws. Do not use glue in case the doors have to be adjusted! If the doors do not slide freely, remove the header and cut the channels slightly deeper (about 1/16″).

Step Nine

Cut the piece for the top. The back edge will be flush with the back edge of the cabinet while the sides and front will overhang by 1-1/2″. Secure the top using 1-1/4″ brad nails through the top into the cabinet.

Step Ten

Cut the pieces of narrow trim and base trim to fit. The trim will be secured using 1-1/4″ brad nails.

Fill all of the holes and finish as desired.

This pantry is a great piece for any room – a kitchen, an entryway, a dining room, or even a bedroom! Have any questions about the DIY plans to build a Sliding Door Pantry? Leave a comment below!

Originally posted 2015-04-07 08:00:02.