DIY Plans to Build Alan’s Larder Cabinet

An Easy to Build Larder Cabinet to Store Dry Goods

I was contacted by Alan, who lives in Dublin, Ireland (awesome!!) asking if I could create a plan for a Larder cabinet he saw. This is a really cool cabinet! The plans to build Alan’s Larder Cabinet feature two upper doors with two larger refrigerator-type doors on the bottom. the bottom area also features two drawers, divided cubbies perfect for wine storage, two drawers, and plenty of shelf space for pantry items. There are also spacious shelves on the doors! The upper cabinet will be perfect for stashing appliances that aren’t used very often. This is a great cabinet that will fit into any decor!

 plans build alans larder cabinet_Copy

Materials:

  • 1″ pocket hole screws
  • 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws (<– affiliate link!)
  • 1-1/4″ brad nails
  • Edge banding, optional (<– affiliate link!)
  • 6 sets of hinges
  • 2 sets of 14″ drawer slides
  • Cabinet pulls for the doors as well as the drawers
  • Wood glue
  • Sandpaper (100, 150, 220 grits)
  • Finishing supplies (primer & paint, or stain, sealer)

Lumber:

  • 2 – 1×2 at 6′
  • 4 – 1×2 at 8′
  • 6 – 1×3 at 6′
  • 1 – 1×6 at 2′
  • 4 – 1×6 at 8′
  • 2 – 1×8 at 6′
  • 4 – 2×2 at 8′
  • 2 –  sheets of 1/2″ plywood
  • 3 – sheets of 3/4″ plywood

Cut List:

  • 4 – 2×2 at 77-1/4″ – Legs
  • 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 22″ x 74-3/4″ – Side Panels
  • 3 – 1×2 at 36″ – Front Stretchers
  • 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 24-1/4″ x 36″ – Bottom
  • 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 36″ x 74″ – Back
  • 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 16-1/2″ x 36 – Lower shelf
  • 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 23-1/2″ x 36″ – Upper shelf
  • 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 16-1/2″ x 44-1/4″ – Divider
  • 6 – 3/4″ plywood at 16-1/2″ x 17-5/8″ – Smaller Shelves
  • 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 25-1/2″ x 40″ – Top
  • 7 – 1/2″ plywood at 13″ x 16-1/2″ – Cubby Dividers
  • 2 – 1/2″ plywood at 16-1/2″ x 36″ – Cubby Dividers
  • 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 12-1/2″ x 15-1/8″ – Drawer Bottoms
  • 4 – 1×8 at 12-1/2″ – Drawer Box Sides
  • 4 – 1×8 at 16-5/8″ – Drawer Box Front & Back
  • 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 8-3/4″ x 17-3/8″ – Drawer Fronts
  • 4 – 1×3 at 12-13/16 – Upper Door Frames
  • 4 – 1×3 at 12-3/4″ – Upper Door Frames
  • 2 – 1/2″ plywood at 7-3/4″ x 12-13/16″ – Upper Door Panels
  • 4 – 1×3 at 12-13/16″ – Lower Door Frames
  • 4 – 1×3 at 57-3/4″ – Lower Door Frames
  • 2 – 1/2″ plywood at 12-13/16″ x 52-3/4″ – Lower Door Panels
  • 4 – 1×6 (ripped to 4-1/2″ wide) at 54-1/4″ – Inner Door Frames
  • 10 – 1×6 (ripped to 4-1/2″ wide) at 14-5/16″ – Inner Door Frames
  • 16 – 1×2 at 14-5/16″ Inner Door Front Braces

 plans build alans larder cabinet

The plans to build Alan’s Larder Cabinet are suitable for all skill levels and would be an excellent addition for storage of any type!

Step One

Cut the pieces for the legs and the side panels. with the pocket hole jig set for 3/4″ material, drill pocket holes in each long edge of the side panels. Secure to the legs using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws. The back face of the panels will be flush with the inside face of the legs.

 plans build alans larder cabinet_Sides

Step Two

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

 plans build alans larder cabinet_Front Stretchers

Step Three

Cut the piece for the bottom. Drill pocket holes in each side edge as well as the front edge. Secure to the side panels and the lower front stretcher using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws. The top face of the bottom piece will be flush with the top edge of the stretcher.

 plans build alans larder cabinet_Bottom

Step Four

Cut the piece for the back and drill pocket holes in all four edges. Secure to the back legs and bottom using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws. The back face of the back piece will be flush with the back face of the legs.

 plans build alans larder cabinet_Back

Step Five

Cut the pieces for the upper and lower shelves. Drill pocket holes in all four edges of the upper shelf (the wider piece), and the sides and back of the lower shelf. Position the shelves as shown then secure using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws. The bottom of the upper shelf will be flush with the bottom edge of the middle stretcher.

 plans build alans larder cabinet_Shelves

Step Six

Cut the piece for the divider. Drill pocket holes in each shorter edge as well as one long edge (the back). Secure to the lower shelf, back, and bottom of the upper shelf using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

 plans build alans larder cabinet_Divider

Step Seven

Cut the pieces for the smaller shelves. Drill pocket holes in the sides and the back edge. Position as shown then secure to the divider, sides, and back using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

 plans build alans larder cabinet_Smaller Shelves

Step Eight

Cut the piece for the top. The sides and front of the top piece will overhang by 1/2″. Secure in place using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws through the back. Secure the sides and front using 1-1/4″ brad nails.

 plans build alans larder cabinet_Top

Step Nine

Cut the pieces for the cubby dividers. Cut the notches as shown using a jigsaw. Assemble the dividers as shown, then insert into the cabinet. Secure in place using 1-1/4″ brad nails through the sides, top, and bottom.

 plans build alans larder cabinet_Cubbies 1

plans build alans larder cabinet_Cubbies 2

plans build alans larder cabinet_Cubbies 3Step 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 box 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 fronts will be helpful! Make any necessary adjustments.

 plans build alans larder cabinet_DrawerBS

plans build alans larder cabinet_DrawerFBStep 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.

plans build alans larder cabinet_Drawers

Step Twelve

Cut the pieces for the door frames and panels. Drill pocket holes in each end of the frame pieces. Set the Kreg jig for 1/2″ material and drill pocket holes in all four edges of the panels. Secure the shorter frame pieces to the panels using glue and 1″ pocket hole screws. Secure each panel assembly to the longer frame pieces using glue and the appropriate pocket hole screw for the material thickness. Use 1″ pocket hole screws through the panels, and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws through the shorter frame pieces. Install the hinges on the doors. Install the upper doors only at this point.

 plans build alans larder cabinet_Upper Doors 1

plans build alans larder cabinet_Door Framesplans build alans larder cabinet_Upper Doors 2Step Thirteen

Cut the pieces for the inner door frames. Set the pocket hole jig back to 3/4″ material, and drill pocket holes in each end of the shorter frame pieces, as well as one long edge of each longer frame piece. Assemble the frames as shown using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws, then attach the frames to the inside of the lower doors using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Cut the 1×2 pieces for the inner frame braces. Position as shown using glue and 1-1/4″ brad nails. Install the doors in the cabinet. Drill holes for the cabinet pulls, and install the pulls on the doors.

 plans build alans larder cabinet_Doors1

plans build alans larder cabinet_Doors2plans build alans larder cabinet_Doors3plans build alans larder cabinet_DoorsInstallFinish as desired!

This is really the greatest cabinet and I plan on using the plans to build Alan’s Larder Cabinet to build one for myself. It would be a great addition to my kitchen and my pantry items would be fabulously organized!

Questions about the plan? Let me know at cher {at} designsbystudioc {dot} com!

Looking for a smaller plan similar to the plans to build Alan’s Larder Cabinet? Try these plans to build a Dish Pantry!

Originally posted 2014-03-10 08:00:37.

7 Comments

  • ashlee prisbrey says:

    LOVE this! It looks amazing! I hope Alan sends you a final picture!

    • CherTexter says:

      Thanks, Ashlee! I hope so, too… In fact, I’m planning on building this one for my kitchen – I think it would be so great for organizing and storing food!

  • Linda Baker says:

    Nice!

  • Jessica F. Hinton says:

    I love this design, Cher!

  • Jak Adams says:

    This is awesome. I’m new to woodworking, but wanted to try building this. I was wondering if you could comment on what type of wood you would recommend for each line item in the build list. Soooo many options at the hardware store.

    • CherTexter says:

      Hi, Jak! The type of wood will depend on your budget and taste preferences. Personally, I would build this cabinet out of pine but it can also be built using oak, birch or poplar. If you decide to go the pine route, big box home improvement stores carry sanded pine plywood (or cabinet grade plywood) that is inexpensive and easy to work with, I hope this helps and if you have further questions, please give a shout out! Good luck with your project!! 🙂

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