A Simple and Small Cabinet
Need a small cabinet that is quick and easy to build? The DIY plans to build a Les Tulips Cabinet feature paneled doors, sides, and top with a shelf behind the doors. The lower base aprons are curved, and the base sits on 2×2 legs. This build can certainly be completed in a weekend!
Materials:
- 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws (<– affiliate link!)
- 2″ pocket hole screws
- 1-1/4″ brad nails
- Edge banding, optional
- 2 sets of hinges
- Cabinet pulls
- Wood glue
- Sandpaper (100, 150, 220 grits)
- Finishing supplies (primer & paint, or stain, sealer)
Lumber:
- 4 – 1×2 at 8′
- 1 – 1×3 at 8′
- 2 – 2×2 at 6′
- 1 – 2′ x 4′ sheet of 3/4″ plywood
- 1 – 4′ x 8′ sheet of 3/4″ plywood
Cut List:
- 2 – 1×3 at 12-1/2″ – Base Aprons
- 2 – 1×3 at 27-1/2″ – Base Aprons
- 4 – 2×2 at 4″ – Base Legs
- 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 16-1/2″ x 31-1/2″ – Bottom
- 4 – 2×2 at 26″ – Legs
- 4 – 1×2 at 12-1/2″ – Side Framing
- 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 12-1/2″ x 23″ – Side Panels
- 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 26″ x 27-1/2″ – Back
- 1 – 1×2 at 27-1/2″ – Front Stretcher
- 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 13-1/4″ x 29″ – Shelf
- 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 13-1/2″ x 28-1/2″ – Top Panel
- 2 – 1×2 at 13-1/2″ – Top End Trim
- 2 – 1×2 at 31-1/2″ – Top Side Trim
- 4 – 1×2 at 10-9/16″ – Door Rails
- 4 – 1×2 at 24-1/4″ – Door Stiles
- 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 10-9/16″ x 21-1/4″ – Door Panels
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 pieces for the base aprons. Draw a decorative curve along one edge of each piece and cut out using a jigsaw. With the pocket hole jig set for 3/4″ material, drill pocket holes in each end of the aprons. Secure the aprons to the base legs using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.
Step Two
Cut the piece for the bottom. The bottom will overhang the base by 1/2″ on all sides. Secure the bottom to the base frame using glue and 1-1/4″ brad nails.
Step Three
Cut the pieces for the legs. Set the pocket hole jig for 1-1/2″ material and drill pocket holes in one end of each piece. Secure the legs to the bottom using glue and 2″ pocket hole screws. The legs will be positioned in each corner of the bottom 1/2″ in from each end.
Step Four
Cut the pieces for the side framing and the side panels. Set the pocket hole jig for 3/4″ material and drill pocket holes in each end of the framing pieces as well as all four edges of the panels. Secure the framing pieces to the legs using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws. The front face of the framing pieces will be flush with the outside faces of the legs. Secure the panel to the legs and framing pieces using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.
Step Five
Cut the piece for the back and drill pocket holes in the side and bottom edges. Secure the back to the legs and bottom using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws. The outside face of the back panel will be flush with the outside face of the legs.
Step Six
Cut the piece for the front stretcher and drill pocket holes in each end. Secure the stretcher to the front legs using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws. The front face of the stretcher will be flush with the front face of the legs.
Step Seven
Cut the piece for the shelf and cut the notches with a jigsaw. Drill pocket holes in the side and back edges as shown. Secure the shelf to the side and back panels using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.
Step Eight
Cut the pieces for the top and the top trim. Drill pocket holes in each end of the shorter trim pieces as well as all four edges of the panel. Secure the end trim first using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws, the secure the side trim.
Position the top on the cabinet. The top will overhang by 1/2″ on all sides. Secure the top in place using glue and 1-1/4″ brad nails.
Step Nine
Cut the pieces for the doors. Drill pocket holes in each end of the shorter trim pieces (the rails) as well as all four edges of the panel. Assemble the frame with the panels as shown using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.
Install the hinges on the doors, then install the doors in the cabinet. Install the cabinet pulls.
Finish as desired.
This little cabinet can be finished in a variety of ways… The door panels can be stenciled, decoupaged, or even decorated using the glue resist technique! Have any questions about the DIY plans to build a Les Tulips Cabinet? Leave a comment below!
Originally posted 2015-02-12 08:00:56.
14 Comments
Very nice! Love this project, I’ll keep it in mind when we need some new furniture!
Thank you, Ashley! I have plenty of projects to choose from, lol!
I have a girlfriend who bought all her furniture from Ikea because she loves putting it together. I told her about you & she is very impressed.
Thank you so much, Roslyn!! It is very much appreciated!
Love the look of this tulip cabinet. I had never heard this name relating to a cabinet before and see how practical it is. Your instructions sound easy for the DIY, however, I’m not really a DIYer and know it is the perfect weekend project for those who love to get their hands in action to make something wonderful like this.
Thanks so much, Beverley! I love creating and building simple projects that anyone can do! Thanks for stopping by!
I so wish I was this handy! Lovely cabinet, the instructions seem easy, even for me
You can do it, Lisa! I know you can… Thanks for stopping by!
I love the name of this cabinet! It is very versatile – easily working in multiple rooms as 1 or multiple cabinets. This is a favorite!
Thank you so much! I love drawing cabinets like this that can work so well in any space and can be finished in a variety of ways!
I love how organized you are, Cher-Ann! I’d love to see the final result, like the actual piece of furniture 🙂
One of these days, I will actually get around to building it! Thank you for stopping by, Delia!
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