An outdoor garden and tool closet can keep your yard supplies handy, organized and in one place. With basic carpentry skills, you can build a simple closet that can rest along an outside wall of your house or mounted between carport framing beams. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Dig a trench 22-by-52 inches and 4 inches deep. Fill the trench with sand to ground level. Cover the sand with tiles to provide a solid surface for the cabinet and raise it above ground moisture to protect it from rot.
2. Cut two pieces of plywood, 71.5-by-44.25 inches. Cut one piece in half lengthwise for doors; keep the other whole for the back of the closet. Cut two side pieces, 71.5-by-14 inches. Cut top and bottom pieces to 44.25-by-14 inches. Cut a long divider piece to 71.5-by-13.25 inches. Sand all rough edges lightly. Remove sanding dust with the cloth.
3. Lay the back piece on the ground or another flat surface. Using nails and glue, attach the bottom piece to the back. Attach the sides, the top and the long divider, in that order, to the back. Turn the cabinet over. Hammer additional nails into the divider through the back, top and bottom pieces for greater stability.
4. Lay a bead of caulk along all inside seams to help waterproof the closet.
5. Cut the desired number of shelves, each 14-by-21 3/8 inches. Fasten shelf holders to the closet's side walls. Position brackets and shelves to meet your tool-storage needs.
6. Attach each door piece to the side walls with three hinges, spaced evenly along the sides. Place door catches and door pulls at the desired height.
7. Spray the inside of the closet with mildew blocker.
8. Paint or stain the closet exterior as desired.
9. Place the closet on the foundation you built in Step 1. Fasten the closet to your house wall if necessary with metal angles and masonry screws.
Tags: bottom pieces, closet side, long divider, side walls, your house