Built in Wardrobes

Source: BBC Homes, Lifestyle, DIY

Thursday 27^th May 2004

Skill Level: Intermediate

Duration: 1 Day 

It is surprisingly simple to build your own wardrobes.
There are two types of wardrobes: free standing and built-in. Here are the basic principles for making your own built-in wardrobe.

Tools you will need:

blum hinges

boring bit

pencil

power drill

PVA

Router

screwdriver and screws

spirit level

tape measure

wood glue

Fitted wardrobe
Draw out a plan and have the MDF pre-cut to size. Build a framework from 5x5cm (2x2 inch) timber and fix to the walls with wood glue and screws.

Uneven walls
In the room where the walls are uneven make a tapered piece of batten to fit between the wall and the 5x5cm (2x2 inch), to get a level surface to work off.

The doors
Check with a spirit level. Cover the side, back, floor and top of the wardrobe frame with MDF, attaching it with glue and screws. Make doors out of 18mm MDF. There should be a clearance of 2mm at the top and 6mm at the bottom.

Hinges
Set the upper hinge about 175mm from the door's top edge and the other about 250mm from the bottom. Mark the hinge place out on the door and the frame.

Blum hinges
You can use blum hinges (concealed cabinet hinges), which have self-contained springs. Make sure you sink the body of the hinge into the door.

Sink the hinge into the door
This is done by countersinking a hole to match the correct depth and diameter using a drill fitted with a boring bit. Push the hinge into the recess and secure with small surface mounted screws.

Align the door
Align the door by attaching a single screw into each hinge on the frame. Adjust as appropriate. Hanging rails are easily fitted on the inner walls of the wardrobe.

Storage cupboards
The same principles apply when making storage cupboards. You can for example, make an angled television cupboard set in an alcove.

Television cupboard
Position battens at an angle so that the doors can open fully and put a 4 inch plinth at the bottom. Router the edges of the shelves and doors.

Cupboard door
With each MDF cupboard door, cut out a central section with a jigsaw and then router the edges. Then cut a piece of fretwork to match the size of this central section.

Fretwork
Sit the fretwork in the edge left by the routing and fixed it with PVA glue. This same principle applies when making a radiator cover from MDF and fretwork.