DIY Plans to Build a Carson Cabinet
Lots of Storage in This Fabulous Cabinet!
This fabulous cabinet has lots of storage! The DIY plans to build a Carson Cabinet feature two drawers, a larger drawer on the bottom, and a cabinet with a shelf on the side. The base of the cabinet is open, which adds to the overall awesomeness of this cabinet. This is a build that can be completed in a weekend!
Here are a few other projects similar to the DIY plans to build a Carson Cabinet:
Materials:
- 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws (<– affiliate link!)
- 2-1/2″ pocket hole screws
- 1-1/4″ brad nails
- Edge banding (<– affiliate link!)
- 3 sets of 18″ drawer slides (<– affiliate link!)
- 1 set of hinges
- Cabinet pulls
- Wood glue
- Sandpaper (100, 150, 220 grits)
- Finishing supplies (primer & paint, or stain, sealer)
Lumber:
- 4 – 1×8 at 8′
- 2 – 2×2 at 6′
- 1 – 4′ x 8′ sheet of 1/4″ plywood
- 2 – 4′ x 8′ sheets of 3/4″ plywood
Cut List:
- 4 – 2×2 at 4″ – Legs
- 2 – 2×2 at 17″ – Side Stretchers
- 2 – 2×2 at 38″ – Front & Back Stretchers
- 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 20″ x 41″ – Bottom & Top
- 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 20″ x 30-3/4″ – Sides
- 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 20″ x 39-1/2″ – Lower Shelf
- 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 20″ x 20-1/4″ – Divider
- 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 19-3/4″ x 20″ – Drawer Shelf
- 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 19″ x 19-1/4″ – Cabinet Shelf
- 1 – 1/4″ plywood at 31-1/2″ x 40-1/4″ – Back
- 6 – 1×8 at 18″ – Drawer Box Sides
- 4 – 1×8 at 17-1/4″ – Smaller Drawer Box Front & Back
- 2 – 1×8 at 37″ – Larger Drawer Box Front & Back
- 2 – 1/4″ plywood at 17″ x 17-3/4″ – Smaller Drawer Box Bottom
- 1 – 1/4″ plywood at 17″ x 37-1/2″ – Larger Drawer Box Bottom
- 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 9-1/2″ x 19-1/2″ – Drawer Fronts
- 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 9-1/2″ x 39-1/4″ – Drawer Front
- 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 18-3/4″ x 20″ – Door
Edge banding will be applied to the exposed edges of the plywood prior to assembly.
Step One
Cut the pieces for the base stretchers and legs. With the pocket hole jig set for 1-1/2″ material, drill pocket holes in each end of the stretchers. Secure the stretchers to the legs as shown using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.
Step Two
Cut the piece for the bottom. Secure the bottom to the base frame using glue and 1-1/4″ brad nails.
Step Three
Cut the pieces for the sides. Set the pocket hole jig for 3/4″ material and drill pocket holes in the top and bottom edges. Secure the sides to the bottom using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws. The outside face of the sides will be flush with the outside edges of the bottom.
Step Four
Cut the piece for the lower shelf and drill pocket holes in each end. Secure the shelf to the sides using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.
Step Five
Cut the piece for the divider and drill pocket holes in each end. Secure the divider to the lower shelf using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.
Step Six
Cut the piece for the drawer shelf and drill pocket holes in each end. Secure the shelf to the side and divider using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.
Step Seven
Cut the piece for the cabinet shelf and drill pocket holes in each end. Secure the shelf to the side and divider using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws. Note that the shelf will sit 3/4″ back from the front edges of the side and divider to allow for the door.
Step Eight
Cut the piece for the top. Secure the top to the sides and divider using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.
Step Nine
Cut the piece for the back. Secure the back using glue and 1-1/4″ brad nails.
Step Ten
Cut the pieces for the drawer box sides, front, and back. Cut the groove in the bottom edge of each piece at 1/4″ wide by 1/4″ deep using a table saw or a router and a straight bit. Set the pocket hole jig for 3/4″ material and drill pocket holes in each end of the drawer box front and back pieces on the opposite side as the groove. Make sure that the pocket holes will not interfere with the groove. Secure the sides to the back using glue and 1-1/2″ pocket hole screws.
Step Eleven
Cut the piece for the drawer bottom. Slide the bottom into the grooves in the sides and back. The piece should fit snugly but not too tight.
Step Twelve
Insert the front edge of the drawer box bottom into the groove on the drawer box front. Secure the drawer box front to the drawer box sides using glue and 1-1/2″ 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 and divider.
Step Thirteen
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.
Finish as desired.
This cabinet would work well in any room… As a dresser in a bedroom, in a dining room or entryway, or even in a bathroom as storage! Have any question about the DIY plans to build a Carson Cabinet? Leave a comment below!
Originally posted 2015-09-30 08:00:07.
