DIY wooden cabinet

Consider the types and characteristics of a cabinet made of wood. Let's get acquainted with how to make a wooden cabinet with our own hands. We will also consider the basic rules for assembly, maintenance and cabinet placement.

Wood is an excellent material for creating furniture. Wood has been used at all times for the manufacture of unique interior items.

Features and varieties of wood cabinets

Despite the emergence of new materials, wood cabinets are the most popular. Lovers of natural beauty are especially in demand for wardrobes made of solid wood.

The choice of the option for manufacturing is influenced by the location of the cabinet, the required capacity, and the area of ​​the room. The construction and design are selected taking into account the style of the room and the purpose of the cabinet (for clothes, books, dishes, and other things). By its appearance, the wardrobe should harmoniously fit into the style of the interior of the room.

The main features of wood cabinets:

• beautiful appearance;
• special energy and environmental friendliness of the material;
• high strength, resistance to accidental damage;
• durability (such a cabinet can serve 50 years or more);
• the possibility of manufacturing, taking into account the size, design style and interior of the room;
• originality and uniqueness.

Cabinets are classified by function, style, shape, size, etc.

Hull shape

Depending on the shape of the cabinet structure, the following main types are distinguished:

1. Classic linear, rectangular. In the hallway, they can be full length with many shelves and cells. It is convenient to store outerwear, bags, shoes in them. In the living room and children's room, they fit perfectly into the interior and look narrow rectangular cabinets;
2. Corner, L-shaped. They are usually installed in the corners of rooms. Glass or mirror is placed on the facade. The back and side walls are simple in design;
3. Trapezoidal, have five sides and are good for installation in any room. Such cabinets are often complemented from the sides with beveled or radius shelves. Inserts with photo printing or carving are used as facade decoration;
4. Five-walled, usually open and have small modules. The lockers are good for corridors and small spaces.

Dimensions (edit)

A spacious wardrobe is needed in any even the smallest apartment.
The main varieties, depending on the size:

• A tall cabinet with one door is a very narrow cabinet. It is usually placed in a small passage or narrow niche. Drawers are placed inside or shelves are made. You can store things, books, shoes in it. This solid wood model is good for a child's room.
• With two doors - the most common type. They can be sliding and swinging by design. The models are roomy, but not bulky. They are made in any style: classic, provence, modern, country, with a barbell inside or with shelves.
• With three doors.They are very diverse, with spacious shelves, compartments with cells, drawers, bars, often decorated with glossy finishes and mirrors. Oak cabinets are especially durable, solid wood is resistant to moisture changes and the development of mold.
• With four doors. They are good for large living rooms and bedrooms and should not be bulky or bulky. They are decorated with mirrors with a picture, photo printing, colored glass.

Usually cabinets made of beech, oak, pine have standard sizes:

• the width of the shelves is usually from 40 to 100 cm, and the height is 30 cm;
• hanger bar length from 60 - 100 cm;
• drawers are usually made up to 80 cm wide and 10 - 30 cm high;
• the depth of the cabinets depends on the type of construction. For wardrobes, depth is 50-60 cm, for hallways - 35-45 cm, for books - 35-55 cm.

How to make a wardrobe with your own hands

This has some advantages:

• The ability to choose only high quality material on your own.
• Cost savings. Materials will cost less than when ordering at a furniture factory.
• The manufacturing process can be enjoyable and rewarding.
• If you follow the assembly rules, the product can turn out to be even more beautiful than the one made at the factory.

The tree is easy to handle. The manufacturing technology of a wooden cabinet is not particularly complicated. Making a cabinet out of wood with your own hands, if you have the necessary skills, tools and desire, is not very difficult.

Instructions on how to make a high-quality wooden cabinet with your own hands are as follows.

The choice of the main material

The material for the construction of the cabinet should be selected taking into account the interior of the room, the style of design. Used: boards, slats, timber, shields.

Planks

A do-it-yourself wardrobe is often made of durable and inexpensive pine or spruce wood. Also popular are boards made of larch, birch, oak. Their cost depends on the type of wood, the size of the boards, the number of defects.

When buying materials for furniture, you need to pay attention to the homogeneity of the wood, the absence of knots and interlayers.

It is not recommended to purchase boards raw. Drying, they will deform, warp. The optimum humidity level should be no more than 12%. For a sufficient level of structural rigidity and a well-made cabinet, the thickness of the boards should be at least 15 mm.

Reiki

Thin and light planks or flat coniferous planks. They are used as fasteners for the main parts of the product.

Beams

The beam is mainly with cross-sectional dimensions - 40x40 and 50x50 mm. Used to create the uprights of the cabinet frame.

Shields

Solid shields are used - a single piece of wood treated with a special solution. Also used are glued (pressed) shields from separate thin shields. They have increased strength and withstand high loads.

For the manufacture of the cabinet, experts recommend buying glued boards made of pine wood. Wood with a soft structure and easily lends itself to any processing. You can get structural elements of various shapes and complexity.

Drawing creation

Before starting work, it is worth making a visual drawing of the structure. You will need to specify the dimensions of all parts. It is necessary to depict a frame with the location of the shelves inside. It is of great importance for the entire manufacturing process of the product.

The drawing must be drawn to scale. It is drawn up taking into account the layout of the apartment and the size of the future structure. The purpose of the cabinet is also taken into account when working out the details of the drawing. A wardrobe, for example, for books can be tall and narrow. For instruments, the cabinet should be low and wider.

You need to decide on the number of compartments and shelves. You will need to know what will be stored in the cabinet. Using the drawing, you can calculate the required amount of materials.

Tools and inventory

For work you will need:

• joiner's plate;
• electric or hand saw;
• electric drill with a drill for wood;
• Sander;
• level and tool for measuring the angle of inclination;
• metal corners;
• hammer;
• chisel;
• screwdriver;
• screws, nails, dowels;
• tape measure, ruler;
• pine timber;
• solid boards;
• slats;
• plywood sheets;
• varnish;
• mastic.

Manufacturing of parts

What is the frame made of

Planks of hardwood (oak, beech, ash, yew, etc.) are usually used for manufacturing. They are placed according to the drawing and connected with glue and nails. The back of the cabinet is closed with plywood (up to 1 cm thick) and attached to it with glue or nails.

Additional Information. Parts of the frame can be cut by hand. However, independent sawing, making undercuts and grinding are rather laborious processes. You can contact the masters with an individual order. They will cut and grind the parts according to the drawing.

What to make shelves from

The shelves are made of sanded softwood planks (cherry, cedar, alder, aspen, etc.). Installation of fasteners (rails) for shelves is carried out on the walls of the cabinet at the desired height. Shelves are attached to it with nails or glue. Sometimes additional attachment means are not used.

What are the doors

They can be opened in different ways.
There are types:

1. Hinged doors are a classic option. They are equipped with handles and fitted on special fixing loops. A model with such doors is installed in rooms with a classic style, modern or country style.
2. Coupe (with sliding doors). Sliding wardrobes are especially popular. They differ in versatility, convenience, different configurations and style. They are multifunctional and easily accommodate everything you need. Sliding wardrobes fit perfectly into any interior. Their main feature and advantage is the ability to replace individual elements.

Build rules

When assembling, you must follow the rules and sequence:

1. Assemble the front and rear frames from the bar. Connect them together with self-tapping screws. Mount corners in the corners to make the structure rigid.
2. Install the crossbars.
3. Cut the top, cabinet floor and back panel out of plywood sheets. Attach with a stapler to the uneven bars.
4. Install a shelf from a board that divides the cabinet into two parts. Fix with self-tapping screws.
5. Mount guides under the shelves from the rails, securing with self-tapping screws. Install shelves. They can also be put on self-tapping screws so that they do not fall out of the grooves.
6. Form a frame for doors from a bar. Connect the parts with corners and nails. To strengthen the structure, it is recommended to install a jumper diagonally.
7. Sheathe the frames with board, clapboard or plywood.
8. Fasten handles, hinges, platbands.
9. Hang the doors.
10. Install the legs.

The final stage and decoration

When making a cabinet from boards that have not been coated with paint or varnish, it is necessary to varnish it after assembly. It will help highlight the beauty of natural wood.

It will be required at the final stage:

• gently grind the surface with a machine;
• putty visible cracks;
• sand the putty after hardening;
• cover the surface with varnish (in two layers) with a sponge or a small brush;
• polish the surface after the varnish has dried.

You can paint in colors close to natural colors, process with wax mastic. Antique style lovers can give the product an antiquity effect and make it unique.

Do not use the aging technique for cherry, pear, beech, maple and alder wood. For processing semi-antique wood, it is necessary to use hard wood species - oak, pine, walnut, ash.

The aging of the relief is achieved by mechanical treatment with an abrasive tool - a metal brush (brushing method). With its help, soft layers are removed from the surface of the tree, and the material acquires a relief.

Firing of wood is also used. This method changes the color and pattern of the fibers. Blow torches and torches are used. The chemical method is also used. The material is impregnated with an acid or alkali solution. Special stains and paints are also applied, which are absorbed and give the surface an antique look.

Cabinet placement

Cabinets, taking into account the place of installation, are divided into built-in and free-standing classic cabinets. The latter are more durable, easy to dismantle and rearrange. For the hallway, a built-in wardrobe with many departments and a mirror is usually made. For the living room - with open shelves. For the kitchen - from individual pieces of furniture. For the bedroom - with mirrored doors, for the children's room - modular wardrobes.

Cabinets are built into niches - a frame and shelves are mounted on the walls. Space is used rationally, irregularities of the walls are masked. They are reliable and roomy.

Corner cabinets are an intermediate option between cabinet and built-in models.

How to care for your wardrobe

Dust easily accumulates on wooden cabinets covered with varnish or paint. Requires dry daily cleaning or use of a damp and well-wrung piece of flannel. After collecting dust, the surface must be polished with a dry cloth until all traces of moisture are removed.

Do not use aerosols, household cleaners and detergents. You can use special wax polishes. It is required not to leave traces of moisture on the surfaces and to carefully follow the manufacturer's recommendations. Usually it is sufficient to carry out this cleaning once a quarter.

Lemon oil is recommended to remove stubborn dirt on polished furniture. It restores shine and brightens the color. You can use olive oil (1 cup) and table vinegar (1/4 cup). Moisten a soft cloth in the solution and rub into the varnished surface until the gloss is restored.

The natural wood wardrobe is a wonderful and irreplaceable piece of furniture in numerous design styles. A wooden cabinet made with your own hands will save you a lot of money. The main thing is that it will be original, unique and one of a kind.

Video: how to make a cabinet out of wood yourself