DIY Slat Wood Cabinet
![DIY Slat Wood Storage Cabinet](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FBV/JXCV/KO8M45K9/FBVJXCVKO8M45K9.jpg&filename=DIY Slat Wood Storage Cabinet)
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I’ve been wanting to build a new record cabinet since we moved into our apartment, but haven’t had the chance. Luckily, the first ever storage cabinet I ever built is still standing strong. But, it’s finally time for me to make a design I’ve had in my head come to life for our space. So, I created this slat wood storage cabinet and I am so excited about how it turned out! Here’s how I made it happen!
Want to see this build in action? Check out my my video on YouTube & please subscribe to my channel!
For more details on the full cut list I used, please visit my website and check out the printable plans!
Supplies
Tools
Miter Saw
Table Saw/Circular Saw
Drill/Driver
Router (Optional)
Dowling Jig
Countersink Bit
Pocket Hole Jig
Nail Gun
Sander & Sandpaper
Concealed Hinge Jig
Iron (For Edgebanding)
Carpenter’s Square
Tape Measure
Wood Clamps
Materials
(1) ¾” Sheet Plywood
(1) 4 x 4 Sheet 1/4″ Plywood
(1) 2 x 2 x 8′ Board
1 1/8″ Trim Moulding
Contact Cement Spray Adhesive
Wood Glue
Wood Filler
Dark Walnut Wood Stain
Iron On Edge Banding
Flat Black Spray Paint
Spray Primer
Shelf Pins
2 1/2″ Pocket Hole Screws
1 ½” Wood Screws
(4) Frameless Inset Hinges
Polyurethane
Cut List: For the full, detailed cut list, check out my plans!
Cutting the Cabinet Pieces
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I started by cutting ¾” plywood pieces into the cabinet sides, top, and bottom.
Covering the Edges
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Next, I used edge banding to cover the exposed plywood edges (I skipped over the sides that will be joined together).
Joining the Pieces
![diy-slat-wood-storage-cabinet-how-to-3.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FKX/RMBI/KO8M45IL/FKXRMBIKO8M45IL.jpg&filename=diy-slat-wood-storage-cabinet-how-to-3.jpg)
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Next, I used dowel joinery, clamps, and wood glue to assemble my cabinet box. I also made sure to check for square 1,001 times.
Prepping the Doors
![diy-slat-wood-storage-cabinet-how-to-5.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FWX/5Y9U/KO8M45IN/FWX5Y9UKO8M45IN.jpg&filename=diy-slat-wood-storage-cabinet-how-to-5.jpg)
I then cut two doors from the ¾” plywood. I always find that cutting the doors after assembling the cabinet carcass makes for perfectly measured doors.
Covering the Edges & Painting
![diy-slat-wood-storage-cabinet-how-to-6.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FH0/YNUM/KO8M45IO/FH0YNUMKO8M45IO.jpg&filename=diy-slat-wood-storage-cabinet-how-to-6.jpg)
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For the doors, I used wood filler to smooth out the exposed edges (these edges will be painted, so I didn’t need edge banding). Once that dried, I sanded and painted the base and the doors in a flat black spray.
Building the Base
![diy-slat-wood-storage-cabinet-how-to-7.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FO5/M3Y4/KO8M45IP/FO5M3Y4KO8M45IP.jpg&filename=diy-slat-wood-storage-cabinet-how-to-7.jpg)
![diy-slat-wood-storage-cabinet-how-to-8.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FEB/CQ3X/KO8M45IS/FEBCQ3XKO8M45IS.jpg&filename=diy-slat-wood-storage-cabinet-how-to-8.jpg)
While the doors dried, I cut the pieces for the cabinet base using 2 x 2 boards (I trimmed these boards down to 1 x 1½” before making my pieces). I then assembled the base using pocket hole screws and wood glue.
Staining the Cabinet
![diy-slat-wood-storage-cabinet-how-to-10.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F8N/G2XZ/KO8M45IU/F8NG2XZKO8M45IU.jpg&filename=diy-slat-wood-storage-cabinet-how-to-10.jpg)
As the doors and base dried, I sanded and stained the cabinet.
Attaching Door Slats
![diy-slat-wood-storage-cabinet-how-to-11.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FRU/B6II/KO8M45IV/FRUB6IIKO8M45IV.jpg&filename=diy-slat-wood-storage-cabinet-how-to-11.jpg)
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![diy-slat-wood-storage-cabinet-how-to-14.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FPE/AUY7/KO8M45IY/FPEAUY7KO8M45IY.jpg&filename=diy-slat-wood-storage-cabinet-how-to-14.jpg)
![diy-slat-wood-storage-cabinet-how-to-15.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F0H/78TP/KO8M45J1/F0H78TPKO8M45J1.jpg&filename=diy-slat-wood-storage-cabinet-how-to-15.jpg)
To create the slat wood look, I evenly spaced the slats on the cabinet doors and attached them using contact cement spray adhesive. This allowed me to connect the slats to the door without using nails! I sprayed the contact cement on the doors and on the slats (I used painter’s tape on the doors to prevent overspray), allowed them to sit for 5-10 minutes, and then pressed them together. I also pre-stained these pieces before attaching to the doors.
Adding Shelving
![diy-slat-wood-storage-cabinet-how-to-16.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FOP/DOGA/KO8M45J2/FOPDOGAKO8M45J2.jpg&filename=diy-slat-wood-storage-cabinet-how-to-16.jpg)
As the doors dried, I used an adjustable shelf pin jig to create shelving holes for the shelf.
Attaching the Doors
![diy-slat-wood-storage-cabinet-how-to-18.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FNM/SQQV/KO8M45J4/FNMSQQVKO8M45J4.jpg&filename=diy-slat-wood-storage-cabinet-how-to-18.jpg)
Next, I attached the doors to the cabinet using a concealed hinge jig and spacers (you can see this in action in the YouTube video).
Adding the Back
![diy-slat-wood-storage-cabinet-how-to-17.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FND/S5QM/KO8M45J3/FNDS5QMKO8M45J3.jpg&filename=diy-slat-wood-storage-cabinet-how-to-17.jpg)
I then cut, stained, and attached the back panel to the cabinet with brad nails (I cut a groove in the back of the cabinet with my router to inset the panel).
Installing the Handle
![diy-slat-wood-storage-cabinet-how-to-19.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F20/47EF/KO8M45J5/F2047EFKO8M45J5.jpg&filename=diy-slat-wood-storage-cabinet-how-to-19.jpg)
Last step was to add a center board to use as the handle – I did this with wood glue and brad nails!
Load Up & Enjoy!
![diy-slat-wood-storage-cabinet-how-to.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FQ6/25BT/KO8M45J9/FQ625BTKO8M45J9.jpg&filename=diy-slat-wood-storage-cabinet-how-to.jpg)
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I am so proud of this build and am loving every second of using it as a record cabinet!
Don't forget to check out this build on YouTube & please subscribe to my channel!