Convert your cabinet into an armoire for extra clothes storage space.
Armoires and cabinets are both used for storage and have a very similar basic structure. If you require storage in your bedroom and have an extra cabinet on hand, some basic carpentry skill and a weekend or two is enough for a do-it-yourself cabinet-to-armoire conversion. Focus your project around reforming the inside of the piece to accommodate your particular combination of hanging or folded clothing. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Lay out all the clothing that you plan to store in your armoire. Divide it into the items to be hung and the ones to be folded. Determine the amount of space you will need to devote to hanging items and the amount of shelves you will require.
2. Remove the shelf clips and the shelves from any areas of the cabinet you wish to leave open for hanging clothes. Allow a height of at least 38 inches for dress shirts or coats, 68 inches for dresses, 44 inches for pants or 27 inches for folded pants. Allow a width of at least 12 inches for every five coats or six dress shirts.
3. Measure the appropriate placement of your dowel. Cut the wooden rod to the width of the armoire using the hand saw. Hold the dowel in place and hang your largest garment from it to confirm spacing. Drive screws through the exterior walls and into the dowel's ends. Cover the screw heads with wood putty to match the exterior of the armoire.
4. Drill holes for shelves wherever you wish to store folded clothing or accessories. Use a drill bit sized to match your shelf clips and use shelf clips intended to hold the weight of your shelves. Sand the shelves for a smooth finish. Start with rough-grit sandpaper and progress to fine-grit. Finish with wet sandpaper for a high-sheen polish. Insert the shelf clips and set the shelves in place.
5. Line the back of the armoire with decorative paper or fabric, if you wish. Cut the fabric to size. Apply a thin, even layer of glue to the back of the fabric or paper, using a paintbrush. Let the glue dry thoroughly before putting any clothing in the armoire.
Tags: shelf clips, clips shelves, dress shirts, folded clothing, least inches, shelf clips shelves
