Custom Storage Solution Build -

My daughter Lily’s room is getting a complete transformation! My current project for this room renovation is a custom storage solution build for a small closet I am creating. Learn how to build wood drawers to fit any space in your home!

Cutting the Wood for the Custom Storage Solution

My house is a story and a half, so there are slanted ceilings to work around, because of this I had to learn how to build a custom storage solution! These drawers would work anywhere you have a slanted ceiling! I am cutting 3/4 inch plywood to the shape of my ceiling slant for the body of the shelves. I am using a cut optimizer to plan the rest of my cuts. Click here to go to the website I am using!

cutting the angles for the drawers on the frame

To create the drawers that will pull out, I am cutting up two sheets of 1/2-inch plywood. I prefer to assemble drawers with a groove in the plywood for the base to create a drawer box that is super strong. The other pieces of plywood that I cut were for the bottom and backside of my frame, these got pocket holes drilled so I could attach the frame box together.

showing the wood grooves for the creation of the drawers

Assembling the Frame for the Custom Storage Solution

To hold my large plywood pieces tight together, I am using corner clamps. When the clamps were in place at the top, I screwed the bottom together using Kreg screws. Once the bottom piece of wood is screwed into place, I flip the drawers to screw on the back piece. I do not need a full top piece, but I do need to box in half of it. I am creating a shelf on the top part of these drawers. Fully assembled, my frame is 40 inches deep, 24 inches wide and 51 inches tall.

drilling more into the frame of the custom storage solution

showing the cubby in the very top portion of the storage solution

Building the Drawers to go in my Custom Storage Solution

Next, I am going to build drawers that go all the way up the frame. This is going to give me the storage space I am looking for! Because these drawers are 37 inches deep, each one will have a divider to add more functionality. If you want an in-depth tutorial on how I am building these drawers, click here! When building the drawers, using spacers makes everything easier! I build the box as I go, measuring the distance between the drawer box sides when they are screwed to the slider hardware. I do this before cutting the remaining pieces for my drawer box. Doing it this way means that I am not trying to manage a big bulky box when installing the slides. This is especially handy for building these very deep and large drawers. Most importantly, it ensures that my slide hardware is always perfectly placed.

the drawers being installed on the frame

drilling more into the frame for the drawers

Trying New Things!

Originally, when I began building this, I planned to do full overlay drawer fronts and skip the face frame. However, I have never tried inset drawers. I thought this would be the perfect project to practice them! So, I decided to build a skinny face frame. This is preventing me from having to move all the drawers that I had just finished further back. When gluing the frame, I spread on a layer of glue, then let it dry enough to get tacky, then spread a second layer to have good adhesion. I am doing this because when you are gluing the edge of plywood the glue gets absorbed quickly. Gluing twice ensures that you have enough product. I am shooting brad nails into the face frame to hold it tight while the glue dries.

creating the front covering of the drawer

Edge Finishing on the Drawer Boxes

For the edges of plywood in my drawer boxes, I did not want to use edgebanding. I thought it would be a pain on such a skinny piece of 1/2-inch plywood. I devised a plan to water down wood filler and spread it across the top edge. This hides the plywood layers! When the filler is dry, I am sanding it all smooth with sandpaper. Where I am using edgebanding is on the 3/4 inch plywood drawer fronts. This is a tedious process that I do not enjoy, but I do like the way it looks.

Painting and Primer

Now that my entire custom storage solution is put together, it is time to prime. Once the prime is dry, I am going in with spray paint. You might be surprised I am going in with spraypaint rather than rolling on paint, here’s why; the shinier the sheen, the harder it is to get an even finish. So, for gloss, spraying is best! I also like spray paint for its durability.

Finishing the Custom Storage Solution

Once the paint is dried, I am ready to install the drawer fronts to the custom storage solution build! I was nervous to do inset drawers because I have heard that they are tricky. I kind of eyeballed the spacing with about an eigth of an inch gap around the whole drawer front. Then, I am using my cabinet hardware jig to mount the pulls. The pull I am using is 5 inches and is in the color champagne bronze.