How to Build a Corner Cabinet

Corner cabinets can add storage and display space in any room without being too intrusive to the room. Corner cabinets are generally triangular in shape to fit right in the corner of your bathroom. Corner cabinets are sometimes on some legs or sometimes can be stuck to the wall floating off the floor.

Steps

  1. How.com.vn English: Step 1 Create a plan...
    Create a plan that includes the dimensions of the corner cabinet, the type of wood that you will use and what tools you will need to complete the project.
    • The dimensions of the two side pieces should be: 84 inches (213.36 cm) high by 22 inches (55.88 cm) wide and 84 inches (213.36 cm) high by 21.25 inches (53.98 cm) wide. The dimensions of the triangular top and bottom pieces are (side by side by hypotenuse) 22 inches (55.88 cm) by 22 inches (55.88 cm) by 31.11 inches (79.02 cm). The dimensions of the triangular shelves are 21 inches (53.34 cm) by 21 inches (53.34 cm) by 29.70 inches (75.44 cm).
  2. How.com.vn English: Step 2 Measure the dimensions of the cabinet top, bottom and side pieces on a piece of paper.
    Cut out the pieces, then trace them onto your sheets of wood.
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  3. How.com.vn English: Step 3 Cut out the top and bottom pieces, the side pieces and the shelves using a table saw or circular saw.
  4. How.com.vn English: Step 4 Attach your side pieces together.
    Lay the smaller side piece that is 21.25 inches (53.98 cm) wide on the floor. Stand the wider side on its edge right next to the smaller side piece. Make sure that the edges match up for a tight fit.
    • Nail through the face of the wider side piece into the edge of the smaller piece. Make sure that the nail goes in perfectly straight so there is no damage to either piece of wood. Your side pieces should now make a "V" shape.
  5. How.com.vn English: Step 5 Attach the top and bottom pieces to the side piece.
    Stand the side pieces up on end. Take the triangular top piece and lay it on the top of the side pieces. Make sure that the edges are perfectly aligned for a clean finish.
    • Nail the pieces together making sure that the nail goes in perfectly straight so there is no damage to either piece of wood. Repeat this process for attaching the bottom piece.
  6. How.com.vn English: Step 6 Measure where you would like to place your shelves from the bottom up.
    The spacing between the shelves should be 16.5 inches (41.91 cm). From the bottom, measure up 16.5 inches (41.91 cm), and mark the spot on the back of the cabinet. From that first mark, measure up another 16.5 inches (41.91 cm) and mark that spot. Follow that process 3 more times, for a total of 5 times.
  7. How.com.vn English: Step 7 Pre-drill small holes where you marked the shelve locations.
    Using a level, make sure that the shelves are level. Nail through the pre-drilled holes in order to attach each shelf to the cabinet. Again, make sure that you nail with precision.
  8. How.com.vn English: Step 8 Sand all of...
    Sand all of the surfaces of the cabinet using a rough-grit piece of sandpaper to remove any rough spots or blemishes in the wood. Repeat with a finer grit of sandpaper to get a smooth surface.
  9. How.com.vn English: Step 9 Apply the stain of your choice carefully with a rag.
    Make sure that the stain is applied evenly and that there are no drip marks. Apply as many coats of stain as needed, letting each coat dry completely each time.
  10. How.com.vn English: Step 10 Attach the cabinet to the corner walls, using proper anchor bolts.
    This will prevent the cabinet from moving and shifting. Try to attach the cabinet to the studs in the wall.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How do you build a corner cabinet with doors?
    How.com.vn English: Matt Mimnagh
    Matt Mimnagh
    Master Carpenter
    Matt Mimnagh is a Master Carpenter and Owner of Castleguard Home Services based in Charlotte, North Caroline. Castleguard specializes in finish carpentry including the installation of moulding, trim, and built-in cabinetry. They also offer kitchen, bathroom, and other remodeling services.
    How.com.vn English: Matt Mimnagh
    Master Carpenter
    Expert Answer
    Draw it up in a CAD program! Tell the computer exactly what you want, breaking it down so you get all the right sizes and angles for everything. To make it fit nicely in a corner, make sure to build a triangle instead of a square.
  • Question
    The upper cabinet is level, but there's a gap at the top. How do I hide that?
    How.com.vn English: Community Answer
    Community Answer
    It depends on the size of the gap, but a piece of molding should do the trick.
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      Tips

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      Warnings

      • Make sure you measure twice and cut once when cutting out your pieces from the sheet wood. For accuracy reasons, check your measurements often.
      • When making your cuts, make sure that all of the cut edges are square. If one of your cut edges is not completely square, then it will throw off how tightly the pieces of the finished product fit together.
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      Things You'll Need

      • Wood
      • Pencil
      • Paper
      • Tape measure
      • Scissors
      • Table saw
      • Handsaw
      • Hammer
      • Nails
      • Electric drill
      • Wood screws
      • Safety goggles
      • Sandpaper (varying grits)
      • Stain
      • Anchor Bolts

      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about woodworking, check out our in-depth interview with Matt Mimnagh.

      About this article

      How.com.vn English: Matt Mimnagh
      Co-authored by:
      Master Carpenter
      This article was co-authored by Matt Mimnagh. Matt Mimnagh is a Master Carpenter and Owner of Castleguard Home Services based in Charlotte, North Caroline. Castleguard specializes in finish carpentry including the installation of moulding, trim, and built-in cabinetry. They also offer kitchen, bathroom, and other remodeling services. This article has been viewed 53,231 times.
      1 votes - 100%
      Co-authors: 8
      Updated: July 26, 2023
      Views: 53,231
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 53,231 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • How.com.vn English: Eliza Engleman

        Eliza Engleman

        Jun 9, 2018

        "Wanted to know how to do the measurements. This explained very clearly. I also like the idea of using the paper..." more

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