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Store All Open Base For the Cube Collection

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Beginner Projects
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I like to call these "clean your own room" bins for preschoolers. They may not be old enough to organize, but even toddlers can stuff stuffed animals into these bins. And check out what Alexis did!

Collections
Cube Collection

I'm loving this cube collection because it's so simple and easy to build, but also extremely functional and versatile.  I'm thinking these new pieces could straighten up even the messiest of entryways or call to order even the most cluttered of kid spaces.

Cube Collection, image by Ana White

In addition to the plans shown above, we also have the bookcase

6 Cube Bookshelf, Cube Collection, image by Ana White

All of these plans are designed around the fabric cubes that you can pick up just about anywhere for a very reasonable price in a variety of colors.  You can see all of the plans I have to date in this collection here.  I will also be adding a drawer base and hutch, and possibly one more bookshelf, and then we have a complete collection!

Open Storage Base, Cube Collection, image by Ana White

Today's plan?  This store-all clean open base unit that works with the lockers.  Oh, the things I could stuff in there.

Dimensions
Dimensions are shown above

Preparation

Shopping List

1 - 20" wide project panel or MDF shelving 72" long 

1 - 1x2 @ 8 feet long 
1 - 1x12 4 feet long 
1 - 1x8 @ 4 feet long 
1 - 1/4" Plywood, 1/4" sheet
Common Materials
Elmer's Wood Glue
Elmer's Wood Filler
120 grit sandpaper
primer
wood conditioner
paint
paint brush
Cut List

Please see attached PDF for full cut list and instructions.

Tools
Tape Measure
Speed Square
Pencil
Safety Glasses
Hearing Protection
Drill
Circular Saw
Brad Nailer
Power Sander
Drill Bit Set
General Instructions

Please reference the PDF for this plan.

PDF

PDF Version
Project Type
Bench
Bookshelf and Bookcase Plans
Cubby Project Plans
Room
Entryway and Mudroom
Kids and Toys
Style
Children's and Kid's Room Furniture and Toy Plans

Comments

Moe (not verified)

Tue, 07/27/2010 - 09:16

Are there plans for the locker unit? I have not found them in my quick search o the site.
Thanks

Cynthia (not verified)

Tue, 07/27/2010 - 09:35

I did my own knock-off of the 'Bedford Desk' a couple years ago. I'll add it to your flikr group in case anyone else wants to do it for a home office. Love all your plans!

Leanne (not verified)

Tue, 07/27/2010 - 10:14

I am so excited that you did the open base! I have been waiting for that one to go with the locker unit! thank you, thank you!!

aSprinkling (not verified)

Tue, 07/27/2010 - 10:59

Could you include plans for drawers that would fit into the cube spaces? Or maybe even one large or two medium drawers to fit into the bench?

I love the cubes, but sometimes my kids' toys could use a little more support.

Annalea (not verified)

Tue, 07/27/2010 - 11:36

Thanks so much for posting this, and reminding me of the locker part of this set! I've been trying to figure out how to configure the boot room for our home, and these are perfect.

Just wait a couple of years, and you'll get to see a farmhouse (that's about to be built) chock full of Knock Off Wood plans. :o) I know I can hardly wait, since I'll get to live in it! lol

Thanks again!

Aubergine (not verified)

Tue, 07/27/2010 - 22:43

I'd like to request a plan for cubes too. I would like something more substantial then the fabric ones

heather h (not verified)

Wed, 07/28/2010 - 19:07

Ana, these are great! Is the open base similar to the much-requested storagapalooza bins? We love those and are lucky enough to have been gifted two of them in the past. Although we would love more now that we have a second child (and FAR more junk of the pink plastic princess sort), there is just not room in our budget. These bins are amazing!

Do you see yourself working on storagepalooza-inspired plans? I love the veggie bins you did, but I have been holding my breath every time I open my Google Reader to see if these beloved bins might be there. They are that great, well worth the wait for sure. The best ever, your readers will go crazy with delight!!

lanni (not verified)

Wed, 10/20/2010 - 15:31

Ana --
I already built the cube shelves -- they were so easy and I love them! Thanks for the plans-- and intended to build two open bases to go on either side of my shelves.

But I am having major issues! The only panel at Home Depot that was large enough for the bottom and sides is a 1/4" inch thick panel of MDF {or so they say?} and it is proving to be impossible to build these bases with material this thin! I haven't been able to find screws thin enough to use to "build the box" - the screws keep splitting the MDF b/c it's so thing - and so I then we tried an air-compressor nail gun to try and skip the screws and nail the box together. Even those are not working and keep splintering through the MDF b/c it's too thin. Help!

Do you have another suggestion? Should I be looking a different panel or something? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you :)

Lanni

Do you know if anyone else has had this issue?

YT (not verified)

Mon, 11/15/2010 - 02:29

Anna
Could you tell me the depth for the open base storage unit, I think it looks great, I would love to know if it works for the kids to be able to sit on it and take off there shoes and at the same time they could just put the shoes in the open storage part after.
Great idea, I am going to continue to follow your blog

Crystal (not verified)

Wed, 12/01/2010 - 12:14

I used these base plans to create a toy box but I made the toybox 4 ft long and added 4 inches to the height. It turned out great and was my first ever project. I LOVE this website! Thank you so much for sharing!!!

thom hall (not verified)

Fri, 02/04/2011 - 07:07

Ana,
By using scribd as a host for the pdf, the plans are no longer free, in that scribd now requires a subscription. Please go back to your older method of posting the step by steps on your site. it was much easier to navigate then.

thom hall

Esra (not verified)

Thu, 03/03/2011 - 11:25

I love this whole set!! so amazing, my husband and i are going to do our first build!
i see the plan for the bench, but do you have something for the tall cubby shelves or even cubby shelves that are 3by3 or 2x3 cubbies? my girls are young so i want to make this for their playroom and want them to be able to reach :)

Barbarella517 (not verified)

Thu, 03/24/2011 - 17:29

I love this whole unit - but I can't find the plans for the top shelving in the picture. I know I saw it on the old site at one time. It doesn't seem like any of the cubby options would work because they look to be deeper than the top of this open base

jennbenn6

Thu, 03/24/2011 - 19:33

I would also love the plans for the top- I'm trying to figure it out for myself and think it should be simple but only if you're working with 4 cubby units.  If you're working with 2 or 3 units then you would just build a shelving system the same width and depth as the top of the storage cubby as high as you want and shelves where you need them. I'm going to be making this for our front/play room den so I'm going to have to space shelves to house the tv too.   If I figure it all out (I'm only going to use 3 cubbies I think) I'll be sure to post a blog and let you all know what I did. 

Noelle A. (not verified)

Wed, 07/13/2011 - 13:09

I just made this, and loved how quickly it went together and how the finished product looks. BUT. I will never use MDF for anything again. The 3/4" MDF I used split every bleeping chance it had. It doesn't ruin the piece, but I took extra care putting this together and it is frustrating to have the splits there. Next time I will replace it with plywood or side by side 1x10's. Otherwise, a great project and very satisfying to put together.

Mindy M. (not verified)

Wed, 08/24/2011 - 08:31

Can anyone direct me to the blog for the person who made that storage unit above (white unit, green wall, alphabet on the wall)? I had saved a link to the brag post on Ana's old site because she had a really cute mural that I wanted to try to replicate in my daughter's room. Now, I can't find her anywhere & the only pictures I can find of the playroom are the one shown above. Any help would be very appreciated.

Guest (not verified)

Sun, 09/18/2011 - 08:50

Thanks for posting the pdf again Ana. For some reason when ever I tried to open it in Internet Explorer, Explorer would close due to an error. I downloaded Explorer 9 but that didn't fix the problem. Then I tried to open it in Safari and was able to open and print with no problems. Odd, because I can open other pdfs but thought I would post incase anyone else has a similar problem.

Thank you so much for giving our family the tools to have the furniture we have always dreamed of having!!!

:) Katie

Spolitte

Sun, 01/01/2012 - 21:37

When I open the PDF to look at the plans for the open base they are all garbled. Is there any other way to get them? This would be a perfect addition for my girls playroom. Thanks! ;-)

David (not verified)

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 16:05

Was trying to look at your pdf but it is all garbled, could you repost or email one.

Thanks! Love the site!

David

Joslin (not verified)

Fri, 01/27/2012 - 15:50

I am having the same prob;em as everyone else Can you please e-mail me the link for the cut list and general instructions. Thank you Sooooooooooo much!!!

Joslin

Tasha lynn (not verified)

Thu, 04/26/2012 - 11:46

Ana,
I love this entire unit with the cubes and the base. I have been looking for the plans for the entire unit, but cannot seem to find them. Do you have plans for it and how would I find them. My husband and I are very new at this so we need all the help we can get. Thank you!

T Moye (not verified)

Tue, 06/19/2012 - 19:35

I like the picture of the playroom storage with the four open base "land of nod" cubes at the base of the storage unit. It's the picture with the white unit on the green wall. That is exactly what i want! Are the " cube collection" plans below that pic the same plans for that white unit?? If so, I must be looking at it wrong. Thanks in advance for your help.
Tina

april l (not verified)

Wed, 12/05/2012 - 10:19

I would also LOVE plans for the whole unit as pictured above! We're working on finishing our basement into a play/family room and I really want a set of wall shelves to hold all the toys/toy bins and this looks perfect. Help please :)

Adubose

Sat, 05/03/2014 - 16:09

So I am excited that I have found this plan and never really built my own furniture before. Assembling it I am great at but still trying to learn how to do them on my own. With that said can I get any help with creating something like this? I had a KidKraft Wall Storage in Espresso picked out for my infant son's room, however I am not sure where to start or begin. Apparently it is unavailable to ship up here in Alaska and I'd like to build it if I can. Here is the link to the item I desire to build:

http://kidkraft.com/furniture-and-decor/storage/bookcases/14982

Any help, pointers or suggestions would be great! Thank you!

Adubose

Mon, 06/09/2014 - 23:50

It look like the demensions to this storage shelf are 37.125"L x 15.875"W x 48.875"H and the measurements for the top cubbies are 16.75''L x 10.75''W x 15''H, bottom cubbies 15''W x 12.2''H. Apparently the middle cubbies are 7" in height but vary in size. I was able to obtain these measurements from some one selling the item on eBay. I'm so new to this and have been so busy with work. I should have more time to focus on this when my job ends next month. Thank you for the help! I am excited to make my own furniture for way less and quality.