Build your own armoire with drawers and mirrored cabinet with free plans. We love this project for guest rooms, kids rooms, nursery, airbnb rentals, or anywhere you need a little extra storage in a beautiful cabinet! This is a step by step woodworking plans with detailed diagrams, shopping and cut list from Ana-White.com
Preparation
- 2 – sheets 3/4" Plywood cut into strips 15 3/4" wide x 8 feet long, referred to as 1x16 boards in this plan
- 2 – sheets 1/4" plywood or other hardboard for back and drawer bottoms
- 3- 1x3 @ 8 feet long
- 7 – 2x2 @ 8 feet long
- 2 – 1x2 @ 8 feet long
- 4 – 1x8 @ 8 feet long
- 1 – 1x10 @ 10 feet long
- 1 1/4" pocket hole screws
- 2 1/2" pocket hole screws
- 1 1/4" brad nails
- 3/4" brad nails
- 2 sets narrow profile hinges
- 4 – 16” Euro Style bottom corner mount drawer sldies
- 7 knobs or handles
- 1 – mirror 49 1/4" x 14” (available at Lowes)
NOTE: this armoire can also be made 24" deep - or any depth for the matter - by altering the rip width of your plywood cuts. For example, you could use 1x12s for the sides for a narrow cabinet.
- 2 – 1x16 @ 67”
- 4 – 1X3 @ 15 3/4"
- 4 – 2X2 @ 69” (LEGS)
- 2 – 2x2 @ 44” (top supports)
- 1 – 1x16 @ 44” (bottom Shelf)
- 1 – 1x16 @ 56” (center divider)
- 4 – 1x2 @ 44” (Bottom drawer trim)
- 2 – 2x2 @ 54 1/2" (Center divider trim)
- 4 – 1x2 @ 23 1/4” (smaller drawer trim)
- 1 – 1x16 @ 23 1/4" (Shelf)
- 1 – 1x16 @ 49” (top)
- 1 – 1x2 @ 49” (top)
- 1 – 1x3 @ 49” (top)
SMALL DRAWERS (build 3 total)
- 6 – 1x8 @ 16”
- 6 – 1x8 @ 20 3/4"
- 3 – ¼” plywood @ 22 1/4” x 16”
LARGE DRAWER (build 1)
- 2 – 1x8 @ 41 1/2"
- 2 – 1x8 @ 16”
- 1 – 1/4” plywood @ 43” x 16”
DOORS and DRAWER FACES
- 2 – 1x3 @ 54 1/4"
- 2 – 1x3 @ 14”
- 2 – 1x3 @ 23 1/2"
- 2- 1x3 @ 18”
- 3 – 1x10 @ 23”
- 1 – 1x10 @ 43 3/4"
- 1 – 1/4" plywood @ 54 ¼” x 19”
- 1 – 1/4” plywood @ 23 ½” x 18”
Back is optional
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
This plan is designed for a very specific mirror and drawer faces that are made of 1x10s measuring 9 1/4" wide. This is an advanced plan. Please take time to fully understand plan before beginning.
But the good news, it starts out pretty easy. You will also want to drill all pocket holes before starting the project.
To start, drill 3/4" pocket holes along side edges of the side plywood pieces. Then attach 1x2 trim to tops and bottoms.
Step 2
Step 4
Step 7
Step 8
Step 9
Step 11
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.
Comments
DebbieKL (not verified)
Wed, 02/29/2012 - 11:22
Love it!
This is almost exactly what I've been looking for. I may need one a little narrower. Thanks so much for the great tutorial!
hillarylouise
Wed, 02/29/2012 - 12:34
YES!
I have a friend who has been asking me to build something like this for her, except with a glass door to use like a hutch in the dining room. Fantastic. Thank you!
Dr. Darin (not verified)
Wed, 02/29/2012 - 13:20
No PDF!
Please fix the PDF link!
Darin
Guest (not verified)
Wed, 02/29/2012 - 20:34
Need more details on the
Need more details on the door. i'm building a jewelry cabinet with a full length mirror. Going to mount it to the wall. I have a rough idea for the door but am still not 100% with it yet.
patrick (not verified)
Thu, 03/01/2012 - 04:44
There are many how to videos
There are many how to videos that explain how to make flat panel cabinet doors. Unfortunately it requires tools that are a bit pricey. There are different ways to do it though. Google "making flat panel doors" or "how to make flat panel doors". Also, you can make it like a simple mirror by routing rabets and using glass stop molding .Google how to build a mirror. It takes a bit of research and the right tools but it's not that hard.
claydowling
Thu, 03/01/2012 - 06:58
Hand tool alternatives
Making flat panel doors with power tools requires expensive tools. You can do it with hand tools relatively cheaply. There are specialty planes designed for cutting grooves that will do this, either called plow planes or grooving planes.
The typical grooving plane can cut exactly one width, and you usually have to build it yourself. The good news is that it's fairly simple construction, with a hardwood body and a plane iron purchased from Lie Nielson or Ron Hock (both sell over the Internet).
There are good videos on YouTube for how to cut the groove using a plow plane. I picked one up second hand for $40 that only needed minimal cleanup and some light sharpening on the cutters.
If you're going to be doing it a lot, you can buy new from Lee Valley. It costs roughly the same as a good quality router, but is a lot faster to set up and runs more quietly. Not that routers aren't cool, but they are fussy, noisy and potentially dangerous. This tool, you can let your kids use (under careful supervision given the price).
Donna @ Edible… (not verified)
Thu, 03/01/2012 - 11:48
Love it!
I've been looking for a good plan to build a wardrobe with a mirror on it.
This will be something for me and my man to make together!
Tara from AboutOne (not verified)
Thu, 03/01/2012 - 17:00
Wow.
I clicked on this post, expecting it to explain how to mount a mirror onto a wardrobe. Wow! Your plans are terrific, and I feel like I could build myself some new furniture. :)
MichaelAndMelissa
Fri, 03/02/2012 - 10:25
Amazing
another great project from Alaska! hope to get started on this this spring/summer.
SmallJen (not verified)
Sat, 05/26/2012 - 05:19
Amazing
Your amazing.. I am so totally scared of the wood cutting part but all your projects encourage me. Thank you
5 tator tots (not verified)
Sat, 10/06/2012 - 13:34
Love this!
How did I miss this one? I love it and have added it to my ever growing list of Ana White projects.
PixieBug (not verified)
Wed, 11/21/2012 - 09:13
Love it, but can it be tweeked?
I Love it and it is almost want I have been looking for. Is it possible to make it with two doors instead? Small apartment + too many clothes = clothes every where. lol Unless you can point me in the direction of something that would suit me better! Thanks!
Audra (not verified)
Thu, 01/03/2013 - 07:00
Two drawer version
I love love love this I was just wondering if it would be safe to add a second big drawer at the bottom making it about a foot taller ? Or that my be too large would there be a way to shorten the closet portion and make two large drawers and two small? Thanks again love your site
kongk
Tue, 05/21/2013 - 04:09
Great Information sharing ..
Great Information sharing .. I am very happy to read this article .. thanks for giving us go through info.Fantastic nice. I appreciate this post.
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mostlydave
Sun, 11/09/2014 - 16:03
Post Sketchup plan please
Could you poste the sketchup file for this plan? I'd like to modify it and having the plan file would save a lot of time instead of having to completely rebuild it form scratch.
whopua
Thu, 11/05/2015 - 07:14
The back of this?
Where in the plans does the back get attached? I cannot seem to find it and my wife likes this. I'm going to go for it.