This piece is inspired by the PotteryBarn Bailey Cube, and is my own take on the design. These plans are in no way intended to be exact and are in no way affiliated with the unmentioned Specialty Retailer to whom the actual Bailey Cube belongs…that being said, it's pretty darn close…maybe even better, because you can make it yourself!
$50-$75
- Tape Measure
- Square
- Sander
- Drill
- Saw
- Miter Saw or Miter box, or a square and a saw will also get the job done.
- 1/2 sheet of 1/4″ Cabinet Stock Plywood
- 1/2 sheet of 3/4″ Plywood
- 2 – 1×3 at 8'
- 1 – 1×3 at10'
- 3/4″x3/4″ – Quarter Round Trim
- 1 1/4″ Screws
- 3/4″ Screws
- 2″ Finish Nails
- 1 1/4″ Finish Nails
- Wood Glue
- Wood Filler
- Sanding Supplies
- Finishing Supplies
- 2 – 1/4″ Plywood at 17 1/2″ x 18 1/2″ (Cube Base)
- 2 – 1/4″ Plywood at 18″ x 18 1/2″ (Cube Base)
- 2 – 3/4″ Plywood at 17 1/2″ Square – you may need to sand the edges down just a bit to allow these to fit snigly inside the Cube Base (Interior Top and Interior Base)
- 2 – 3/4″ Plywood at 18 1/2″ Square (Exterior Top and Base)
- 8 – 3/4″x3/4″ Quarter round Trim at 20″ (Exterior Top and Base Trim)
- 8 – 1×3 at 18 1/2″ (Vertical Cube Trim)
- 4 – 1×3 at 13″ (Horizontal Cube Trim)
- 4 – 1×3 at 13 1/2″ (Horizontal Trim)
Before beginning to build, always check in on my site to make sure you have the most up to date set of plans, I occasionally update and change the plans to make the building process easier or to allow for less expensive purchasing of materials! Read through the entire set of instructions and all comments before beginning this project. If you print out or save plans, be sure to check in on my site to be sure you have the most up to date set of plans, as I occasionally update things for ease of building or buying. If you are new to building, read through the GETTING STARTED section and other articles found under the BUILD tab in the menu on my site, it has valuable information about how to get started, tools and techniques. If you are unfamiliar with the finishing process, visit my Finishing school for some tips and tricks for painting like a pro and for special finishing practices. Use glue to secure your joints and Consider Painting or Staining individual sections prior to assembling. This makes the paint application virtually flawless. Coat with a spray on Poly or Wipe on Poly to protect your finish and your piece and it will last for ages. Adhere to all safety standards and guidelines, and be sure you follow safety protocol throughout your build. If you are unsure about whether you are building safely, run a quick online search for the tool or technique you are using, or contact me via email or post to the forum before you move ahead. My contact info can be found in the menu of my site.
Build the 4 sided Cube Base around the Interior Base: Use Wood Glue and attach 4 sides to each other using 1 1/4″ Finish Nails and attach to the Interior Base using 1 1/4″ Screws and Wood Glue. ** The Interior Base should be cut to size (17 1/2″x17 1/2″) and fit snugly inside the Cube Base, flush with the bottom of the Cube Base. It serves the purpose of giving you something to secure the Cube Base to as well as something to secure the Exterior Base to.
Attach the trim pieces to the Cube: Use Wood Glue to attach (Clamp together while glue dries) then from the inside of the Cube use 3/4″ Screws (do not screw through the front of the trim and you won't have to worry about filling screw holes). ** The trim pieces should form a cube shape as well, so you will have to attach the trim pieces with approximately 1/4″ overhang on 2 of the 4 sides. Begin by attaching the trim on the 2 sides that will be flush with the cube edges (13″ Horizontal piece will fit in the middle) and then work on the opposite edges and align the trim with the other edges of the Trim (this will give you the 1/4″ overhang on either side and have the 13 1/2″ Horizontal Trim piece) **The overhang is an overhang from the edges of the actual Cube and will be flush to the Trim edges. Then attach the pieces as shown below. Notice how everything lines up flush when you attach the trim pieces on the last 2 sides, no overhang is apparent.
Build the Top: Attach the smaller 3/4″ Plywood (Interior Top) to the Larger Top (Exterior Top) piece using 1 1/4″ Screws and Wood Glue. **This does not attach to the cube itself, it rests inside of and on top of it, so before you fully attach both top pieces to each other, make sure the smaller Interior Top fits snugly inside the Cube Base, adjust if necessary.
Attach the Trim pieces to the Top, Miter trim at 45 Degrees at the corners before attaching using 2″ Finish Nails and Wood Glue.
Build the Base: Cut the Plywood to size and attach the Trim. Miter the corners at 45 Degrees and Attach the trim with 2″ Finish Nails and Wood Glue.
Attach the Exterior Base to the Interior Base: Use Wood Glue and 1 1/4″ Screws.
Fill any Screw, Nail or Pocket Holes, Sand and Finish as Desired. For Finishing Tips and Tricks visit my Finishing School
**Disclaimer: Some rights reserved. Private use only. Feel Free to link to any of my plans so long as you provide an adequate link back to the appropriate post! Plans from this page are not to be used for commercial purposes or republished without the express written consent of Rayan Turner, The Design Confidential I hope to provide accurate plans, however, I cannot guarantee each plan for accuracy. Not every plan that I post has been built and tested, so you are building at your own risk. It is recommended that you have a clear understanding of how the project works before beginning any project. Please contact me if you find an error or inaccuracy so that I might fix it.
