Build a simple, yet stylish, medicine cabinet to add more storage to your bathroom! This medicine cabinet has 3 apothecary-styled drawers to help contain anything from q-tips to combs!
As with all of our plans, you are building at your own risk and you should have a firm understanding of building in general before you attempt many of our plans (some are easy as pie and perfect for beginners). With that, go forth, have fun, take lots of pictures and share them in a showcase on the site or on social media with the hashtag #builtTDCtuff and we will share our faves! Be sure to tag @thedesignconfidential on Instagram / FB and @thedesconf on Twitter / Pinterest. If you are a blogger and you post about your build, don’t forget to include a link to your post on your showcase here. Don’t forget… for all of our newer plans, clicking on the images will let them expand to enormous sizes with much greater clarity. The older plans may need updating so please let us know if you need one fixed!
- Tape Measure
- Saw – Jig Saw, Circular, Table, or Miter Saw​
- Drill
- Multi-Square and Carpenter’s Square
- Sander
- Kreg Jig – if you build frequently, invest in this one.
- Nail Gun – optional
- Router with Patterning bit – or bit set – optional
- 1 – 1 x 6 x 8′
- 1 – 1Â x 6 x 4′
- 1 – 1 x 4 x 2′ (you only need 16 1/2″)
- 1 – 1 x 3 x 4 (or furring strip, if cheaper)
- 1 – 2 x 4 sheet of 1/4″ ply
- 1 – 2 x 4 sheet of 1/2″ ply (or scraps! Use scraps for this, if you have any!)
- 3 Drawer Pulls
- 1Â Cabinet Pull
- 1 set of small hinges – butt hinges will work perfectly
- 1 – 12″ x 12″ mirror (you can also use glass or plywood)
- 1-1/4″ Pocket Hole Screws
- 1-1/4″ Brad Nails
- Countersink Drill Bit
- Pocket Hole Plugs – Paint Grade, Pine, Oak – optional
- Clamps
- Safety Gear
- Edge Banding – optional
- Wood Filler
- Wood Glue
- Sanding Supplies
- Paste Wax
- Finishing Supplies
- 2 – 1 x 6 @ 24″ (sides)
- 3 – 1 x 6 @ 16 1/2″ (top, bottom & shelf)
- 2 – 1 x 6 @ 5″ (dividers)
- 1 – 1 x 4 @ 16 1/2″ (inside shelf)
- 6 – 1/2″ ply @ 4 3/4″ x 4 1/2″ (drawer fronts and backs)
- 6 – 1/2″ ply @ 4 1/2 x 4 1/2″ (drawer sides)
- 3 – 1/4″ ply @ 5 1/2″ x 4 3/4″ (drawer bottoms)
- 1 – 1/4″ ply @ 18″ x 24″ (back)
- 2 – 1 x 3 @ 11 1/4″ (door rail)
- 2 – 1 x 3 @ 16 1/2″ (door stiles)
- 1 – 1 x 3 @ 16 1/2 (support cleat)
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 a box using your side pieces and your top and bottom pieces. Make sure that the top and bottom boards are on the inside of the side boards.
Measure 5″ from the bottom inside of the box, and screw your shelf in with 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws.
Attach your support cleat to the back using 1 1/4″ pocket holes set for 3/4″ stock. It’s best to put your pocket holes at the back of the piece.
Add your drawer dividers. I found it easiest to just use glue and 1 1/4″ finish nails. Otherwise, predrill through the middle shelf and bottom of the cabinet, and use 1 1/4″ screws and glue. You cannot use pocket holes for these.
Figure out where you want your inside shelf. I preferred to have mine 5 1/2″ down so that I had an area for my smaller items, and one for my taller items. But this is entirely up to you, and what you plan to store! Attach shelf to the cabinet using 1 1/4″ pocket holes set for 3/4″ stock.
Build your drawers, make sure your 4 1/2″ boards are sandwiched between the 4 3/4″ boards. Use glue and 1 1/4″ finishing nails.
Attach your drawer bottoms using glue and 1 1/4″ finish nails
Build your door as shown. Use 1 1/4″ pocket holes set for 3/4″ stock.
Attach the back, using glue and 1 1/4″ finish nails.
Insert your mirror or glass into the door using mirror clips. If you plan on using wood, attach with only glue, and let dry.
Attach the door with the hinges, add some hardware, and put your drawers in place.
To hang, locate studs and screw through the support cleat into the studs using 2 – 3″ screws. If no studs are available, use the appropriate wall anchors.
Fill any Screw, Nail or Pocket Holes, Sand and Finish as Desired. For Finishing Tips and Tricks visit my Finishing School
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