Cubbyholes make great storage spaces for many reasons. They are versatile with many shapes and sizes and create excellent storage shelves for some of your more oddly shaped possessions. You can build a cubby shelf to any design you want, the materials are inexpensive and constructing the cubbyholes is a simple, enjoyable day project. Does this Spark an idea?
Materials
You don't need much to build some cubbyholes. Basically you need enough wood to meet your design requirements, a few basic materials and some time. The cubby dividers should be built out of 1/2-inch plywood and the back wall of the cubby can either be the wall you attach the cubbyholes to or a piece of 1/4-inch plywood cut to shape. Other than the lumber you need 3/4-inch nails and a hammer, some right-angle brackets, 1/2-inch screws and washers, a tape measure, circular saw, sandpaper and paint or stain if you want to make the cubbyholes look a little nicer.
Construction
Constructing the cubbyholes is simple. First draw your plans out on paper and determine exactly how many pieces of plywood you need and what sizes. Remember, depending on how you cut the wood, some pieces will need to be an inch shorter or longer to make the cubbyholes exactly square. Once you know your measurements, draw them out on the plywood and cut the pieces. The pieces will be a bit rough right after you cut them so use some coarse sandpaper and a sander if you have one to smooth all the edges. Once the sanding is complete you can assemble the cubbyholes according to your design.
This process is pretty straight forward. Simply nail the boards together according to your design. Nails are adequate. However, for added durability, you can use small wood screws and right-angle brackets. If you choose screws and brackets be sure that you get 1/2-inch screws and washers to ensure the sharp tip of the screw does not poke through the boards. Once all of the cubbyholes are assembled, either attach them to the wall you want them on using right-angle brackets and screws or cut a piece of plywood to cover the entire back of the cubbyholes and attach it to make a free floating shelf. Remember that if you are planning to paint or stain your cubbyholes it should be done before they are attached to the wall but after the back is attached if you are creating a free floating unit.
Tags: right-angle brackets, your design, 2-inch screws, 2-inch screws washers, according your, according your design, cubbyholes simple
