Your cart is currently empty!
How to Build a Base Cabinet With Drawers
Building a base cabinet is a straightforward project that requires minimal tools and skill. With basic carpentry skills and power tools you can build a simple, inexpensive base cabinet to store dishes, linens or anything else you need convenient access to.
Furniture is one of the best ways to make your home comfortable and functional. Although there are many types of furniture, one stands out from the rest. This type of furniture is very important since it provides extra storage space to keep things such as towels, clothes and bed sheets neat and organized. Well, this kind of furniture is called a storage cabinet. With a storage cabinet you can hide all your valuables inside for safety precautions.
🛠️ TOOLS & MATERIALS
“(2) 4’x8′ 3/4″ Plywood
(1) 4’x8′ 1/4″ Plywood
(1) 4’x8′ 3/4″ Plywood (for top)
(7) 22″ Drawer Slides
(2 pair) 110 degree euro hinges
(7) drawer/door pulls
(6) 3/8″ t-nuts
(6) 3/8″x2″ carriage bolts
1-1/4″ pocket screws
1-1/4″ wood screws
Water based Poly”
⚙️ STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1: Assemble the base cabinet carcass
“I started off the project, by breaking down two plywood sheets into smaller sizes for easier handling. … The sides of the storage cabinet are connected with horizontal supports on the top and bottom.”
“All the horizontal supports will be attached to the sides using pocket screws so I drilled two pocket holes on the ends of each piece. … To attach the supports I laid one side down on the floor and began attaching the pieces vertically. … I worked my way around the base cabinet flipping and moving it to attach all the lower supports as well as the toe kick plate which is actually a structural piece.”
Step 2: Build the cabinet drawers
“I cut the base cabinet drawers to size based on the dividers. … With all the base cabinet drawers and pull out trays cut to size, I took them to the tablesaw to cut grooves for the bottom panel. … The base cabinet pull out trays go together really easily. … I assembled them upside down to make sure that all the grooves were aligned and even with the underside of the back piece.”
“Since the base cabinet drawers will have a false front I used pocket holes on the front and back pieces for joinery. … All the trays and drawers get a ¼” bottom panel. I cut the panels to size then slid them into the grooves I cut earlier. Each panel then gets screwed into the drawer back with some pan head screws.”
Step 3: Install the cabinet drawers
“Each side of the base cabinet will get two pull out trays, one on the bottom and one near the middle. I shimmed up the bottom slides with ¼” plywood and gave them an ⅛” setback. Then I used pilot holes and screws to secure each drawer slide to the base cabinet.”
“I used the plywood spacers to support the tray and pulled out the slide arms and secured them to the sides. After attaching a front and center screw I removed the tray and installed a third screw in the back.”
Step 4: Mount doors and drawer fronts
“I’m using concealed hinges to mount the doors to the shop cabinet. … You line up the jig on the base cabinet door then attach your drill to the included forstner bit and drill out the hole for the cup.”
Step 5: Install countertop (optional)
“Before installing the countertop … I removed the pull out trays and secured the top to the base cabinet with screws from below and the project was done.”
💡 TIPS & NOTES
- Use a pocket hole jig—makes assembly fast and strong
- Shim and use spacers so drawer slides sit level
- Use concealed hinge jig for clean, professional doors
- Make grooves in drawer sides to hold bottom panel securely
📌 QUICK RECAP
| Stage | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Base | Cut & pocket-screw carcass | Use horizontal supports & toe-kick |
| Drawer | Cut, groove, pocket-join trays & boxes | Use ¼″ bottom panels |
| Install | Mount drawer slides with shim/spacers | Secure with screws |
| Finish | Hang doors, add drawer fronts, top | Use hinge jig & secure countertop |
If you want to make your own base cabinets, there are a few ways you can do it:
You can build a cabinet from scratch. This involves buying wood and making each piece yourself. It’s time-consuming but will give you more control over the look of your cabinetry.
You can buy an unfinished base cabinet from Ikea and paint or stain it yourself. These cabinets are inexpensive and easy to find at any hardware store, but they don’t come pre-cut or pre-drilled for drawers or doors, which means that you have to cut everything yourself.
Base cabinets are often used to store pots and pans, dishes, and other small appliances in the kitchen. They can also be used for storing items in the garage or laundry room.
Base cabinets are typically made from plywood (or another type of wood) and have doors that open upwards. The shelves inside can be adjusted to hold different sizes of items. There are also double base cabinets which have two compartments for storing different types of items.
Base cabinets can be purchased unfinished or pre-painted. If you’re looking for a custom look, you could always paint them yourself after they’re installed.