adminA DIY wooden wardrobe can add practical hanging space and a clean, modern look to a bedroom without requiring a large workshop. This open design uses pre-cut pine boards, a copper clothes rod, and a back support panel. Its shelves and open sides can also be adapted for a studio or other room where extra storage is useful.
DIY Wooden Wardrobe: Materials and Tools
The project is designed around commonly available pre-cut boards. The original build cost about $140 using 20-inch-wide boards; prices may vary by location and over time.
- 2 pre-cut pine boards, 3/4 inch x 20 inches x 6 feet, for the side panels
- 3 pre-cut pine boards, 3/4 inch x 20 inches x 36 inches, for the top, bottom, and center supports
- 1 pre-cut pine board, 3/4 inch x 12 inches x 6 feet, for the back support panel
- 1 copper pipe, 5 feet long
- 25 brass wood screws, #8 x 2 inches
- Optional: 8-inch round mirror
- Pipe cutter, or have the pipe cut to 50 inches at the store
- Power drill, 1-inch drill bit, and 5/64-inch drill bit
- Power sander or sandpaper, Phillips screwdriver, yardstick, and ruler
Check that the boards are straight and the listed sizes match the pieces you buy. Wear eye protection while drilling or cutting, and secure each board before working on it.
Prepare and Mark the Boards
Sand the boards before assembly. Apply stain or paint at this stage if desired, or leave the pine natural. Keep the side panels labeled A and B throughout the marking process so the corresponding shelf holes line up.
- On one short end of each 3/4-inch x 20-inch x 6-foot side panel, mark the center and two additional points about 1 inch in from the long edges. Position these marks 1/2 inch from the short edge for the screw pilot holes.
- On each side panel, mark the center shelf position about 20 inches up from the bottom. Add marks 1 inch in from both long edges along that line. For the bottom shelf, repeat the pattern 4 inches up from the bottom.
- Use the marked side panels as templates to transfer the matching hole positions to the short edges of the bottom, center, and top boards. Label each shelf edge to match the A or B panel; this helps prevent accidentally reversing a piece during assembly.
- Measure 5 inches down from the center mark at the top of each side panel. Drill a 1-inch hole at each mark for the clothes rod.
- Use the 5/64-inch drill bit to make pilot holes at the marked screw locations on the side panels and the short edges of the shelves.
Measure carefully before drilling. Pilot holes help guide the screws, while keeping the drill straight reduces the risk of breaking through the edge of the wood.
Assemble the Wardrobe Frame
Lay Panel A on its side on a flat, stable surface. Align the bottom shelf with its matching marks and install the three screws, leaving them slightly loose until all are in place. Attach the center and top boards in the same way. Position Panel B on the opposite side, making sure its marked edges face the corresponding shelves, then fasten the frame.
Choose which side of the wardrobe will have the back support panel. Align it flush with the bottom and side edges, then drill pilot holes into the frame and secure the panel with screws. Drill straight into the 3/4-inch edges to help avoid splitting or drilling through the wood. Tighten the frame screws once the pieces are aligned.
Fit the Copper Rod and Add Finishing Touches
Pass the copper pipe through the holes in the side panels and mark the length needed. Remove it and cut it with a pipe cutter; the finished pipe should fit the wardrobe, with enough length at each end to extend slightly beyond the sides. In the original build, about 10 inches was cut from the 5-foot pipe. Check the fit before loading the rod with clothing.
Add optional details after assembly. A mirror can be attached to the wood with suitable adhesive or mounted another way, and hooks or shelves can provide extra storage. The ends of the copper pipe can also hold lightweight accessories such as bags. Follow the instructions for any adhesive or hardware you use, and make sure added items are securely supported.
Customize the Open Storage Design
The open layout makes clothing easy to see and access, but it also means the wardrobe contents remain on display. Arrange garments with enough space between them to avoid crowding, and use the shelves for folded items or accessories. For a narrower version, 16-inch-wide pre-cut boards and a wooden dowel can reduce material costs; garments may extend slightly beyond the front or back.
This DIY wooden wardrobe is also adaptable for a studio, where it can hold weaving supplies or display woven wall hangings. Adjustments such as extra shelves or hooks can make the structure more useful for a particular room, provided they are planned before assembly and attached securely.
Project by Rachel.
