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Rotating Teen Storage Unit

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Submitted by biz_kid1 on Mon, 03/21/2011 - 10:45
Difficulty
Intermediate
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This plan is based on the PB Teen Display-It Storage Mirror.  My 13-year-old saw it and wants to build it, so I'm producing plans for it!  I'm going to call the project "intermediate" skill level because of the swivel base part, but the rest of it should be "beginner"!  My version uses 1/2" thick MDF plus, if you want, crown molding and furring strips for decorative purposes.  Good luck!

Sand the pieces before building.  You may desire to paint or stain prior to building as well.  My daughter wants hers to be purple, green and blue, so we'll be prepping ours first, but it is your choice!  Huge disclaimer about the base/lazy susan aspect of it - since I have not made this project yet, I can NOT attest to its safety!

Dimensions
21" x 21' x 70"

Preparation

Shopping List

3 sheets 1/2" thick 49x97 MDF

Crown Molding, if desired
1x2 Furring Strips for framing mirror and cork board, if desired
Cork Board Roll 58 3/4"L x 17 3/4"
Floor Mirror
Hanging Pegs or Hardware or 3M hooks
Lazy Susan, 12", 5/16" Thick Capacity 1000 lbs.
Common Materials
1 1/4 inch screws
Elmer's Wood Glue
Elmer's Wood Filler
120 grit sandpaper
primer
wood conditioner
paint
paint brush
Cut List

Sheet #1

2 @ 21" x 64"
2 @ 21" x 21"

Sheet #2
1 @ 21" x 64"
1 @ 21" x 20"
2 @ 21" x 21"
2 @ 19 1/2" x 19 1/2"

Sheet #3 (there will be lots of scraps from this sheet, so if you have a need, cut the pieces NOW!)
2 @ 21" x 20"
2 @ 19 1/2" x 19 1/2"

***Steps #7-#9 contain the images of the 3 MDF sheets for cutting.***
Cutting Instructions

See Cut List.

Tools
Speed Square
Drill
Power Sander
Drill Bit Set
General Instructions

Please read through the entire plan and all comments before beginning this project. It is also advisable to review the Getting Started Section. Take all necessary precautions to build safely and smartly. Work on a clean level surface, free of imperfections or debris. Always use straight boards. Check for square after each step. Always predrill holes before attaching with screws. Use glue with finish nails for a stronger hold. Wipe excess glue off bare wood for stained projects, as dried glue will not take stain. Be safe, have fun, and ask for help if you need it. Good luck!

Instructions

Step 1

Attach Wall square to shelf base with 1 1/4" screws and glue.

Step 2

Attach other Wall and Back to Shelf Base with 1 1/4" screws and glue.

Step 3

Attach Walls and Back to Top with 1 1/4" screws and glue.

Step 4

Attach Shelves at desired heights with 1 1/4" screws OR if you want to make your shelves adjustable, drill the holes for the shelf pins/pegs now (you can use a strip of pegboard as a template)), as desired. The spacing of the shelves in the diagram from top to bottom is about: 11", 6" 15", 15", 15".

Step 5

Step 6

Add crown moulding as desired to add decorative edging to the base and top of the unit. Paint/finish as desired. Add a roll of cork board to one wall; frame if desired. Add a floor length mirror to the other wall. Add hanging pegs or hardware to the back side.

Step 7

This is not an instruction step. This is a cutting diagram for Sheet #1 of the MDF.

Step 8

This is not an instruction step. This is a cutting diagram for Sheet #2 of the MDF.

Step 9

This is not an instruction step. This is a cutting diagram for Sheet #3 of the MDF.

Finishing Instructions
Preparation Instructions
Fill all holes with wood filler and let dry. Apply additional coats of wood filler as needed. When wood filler is completely dry, sand the project in the direction of the wood grain with 120 grit sandpaper. Vacuum sanded project to remove sanding residue. Remove all sanding residue on work surfaces as well. Wipe project clean with damp cloth.

It is always recommended to apply a test coat on a hidden area or scrap piece to ensure color evenness and adhesion. Use primer or wood conditioner as needed.
Project Type
Storage Woodworking Plans
Room
storage and organization
Teens
Bedroom
Kids and Toys
Style
Children's and Kid's Room Furniture and Toy Plans

Comments

glennj

Tue, 03/22/2011 - 05:17

What about rollers on the bottom instead a swivel base?   That might be the way I go because that is more my skill level.

biz_kid1

Tue, 03/22/2011 - 06:36

This is why I love this site!  You can customize the plans as you see fit!  Rollers wouldn't work well for us, we have carpet.  Plus, I'm not sure how well a young person would be able to roll it around.  But if that's what you want, go for it!

ACraftyCauldron

Tue, 03/22/2011 - 06:02

I just wanted to say thank you SO much for posting these plans.  My niece saw the PBteen version the other day and "ordered" two for her birthday present.  Luckily, I have until October to get where I feel comfortable enough to try these.  I'm so excited!!!  

Also, I had already begun doing some recon on the swivel base and there is a lazy susan apparatus out there that is graded for 500lbs.  You can get them on Amazon and I believe they run between $20 and $30.  :D

biz_kid1

Tue, 03/22/2011 - 06:39

The 12" lazy susan I spec'd out is about $8 on Amazon.  I don't think you need the 1,000lb. capacity, but I think you may want the width of it for these purposes!  My dimensions aren't exactly what PB's is...I measured our existing mirror, browsed for a roll of cork board to get its dimensions and got the dimensions of some collapsible storage boxes for the shelves to get my plan!  But it's close enough!  And still one-sixth of the cost!  =)

Amy72 (not verified)

Thu, 03/24/2011 - 14:25

This would be great in a home office too!  You could hide your files or books and have the bulletin board side showing.  Great job!

Pam Goatherd (not verified)

Thu, 03/24/2011 - 15:02

I found a medium sized lazy susan rated for 500lbs at my local hardware store for under $5.  The largest they had was about 12" across and cost about $8.  This is a mom-and-pop, small town hardware store.

Guest (not verified)

Sat, 04/02/2011 - 07:53

This would be good or a adult bedroom too.     You could use the shelves for filing cabinet and the cork board for important papers or jewelry or ??

Jodie (not verified)

Fri, 10/14/2011 - 11:24

I love this, thank you so much. I saw the pottery barn one and thought it would be great idea for my sewing room. Thank you for your directions.
I am putting this on my possible to do list.

Michelle R (not verified)

Fri, 12/30/2011 - 12:22

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! Saw this in PB and just couldn't wrangle spending $1200 for 2 (we have 2 girls)!! What a fabulous plan!!

payne.kj

Tue, 09/16/2014 - 09:23

Is the Lazy Susan hardware you used round or square? I've seen both and wanted to check first. I don't see any square ones for that capacity so I'm assuming round. 

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