Focus on building for convenience instead of aesthetic appeal. [2] X Expert Source Eric ShipeHome Improvement Specialist Expert Interview. 12 July 2021. Make sure the cabinets fit your space and store things within your reach. Try to build with manufactured wood, which is easier to use than solid wood. [3] X Expert Source Eric ShipeHome Improvement Specialist Expert Interview. 12 July 2021.

You can adjust these measurements slightly to fit your space if you need to. This is your project, so pick the dimensions that work best for your space. If you’d like to save time, look into flat pack options. These contain pre-cut and drilled cabinet pieces that only require assembly. [5] X Expert Source Eric ShipeHome Improvement Specialist Expert Interview. 12 July 2021.

If you’re going to build cabinets with a face frame, prepare to buy a little extra wood and spend a little extra time on this project. Faceless cabinets are also called European cabinets.

If you’re using a circular saw, make sure you have a straight edge to act as a guide as you cut through your pieces. [8] X Expert Source Eric ShipeHome Improvement Specialist Expert Interview. 12 July 2021. Always wear gloves, safety goggles, and ear plugs when using power tools. If you have long hair, tie it up so it doesn’t get caught in your tools.

If you’re making upper or wall cabinets, the measurements should reflect your personal tastes. Standard depth is around 12-14". Height depends on how tall you want them to be and how high your ceilings are. If you adjusted the measurements or your cabinets are a non-standard size, use your own size guidelines instead of the measurements provided here.

If you are making upper cabinets, skip this step. You don’t need a toe kick for upper cabinets.

Again, for wall cabinets, the depth will be somewhere between 12-14", not 24". Cut 2 of these pieces per cabinet for wall cabinets.

Good sizes to use, depending on the part of the face and the style you want, include 1x2, 1x3, and 1x4. Since these pieces are like a “frame,” cut 2 pieces for the height of the cabinet and 2 pieces for the width of the cabinet.

Butt joints are easy joints to make, even for beginning woodworkers. All you have to do is join your pieces together so they butt up against one another and sit flush with each other. Using wood glue isn’t strictly necessary here, but it’s a nice way to reinforce the joints and keep your pieces together.

To be sure that all the edges are flush, use clamps to hold your pieces in place, then use an angle measuring tool to measure each angle.

Use short screws so that they don’t poke through the back of the cabinet.

If you’re building wall cabinets, wait to install the shelves until they’re up on the wall. That way, they won’t slide out during installation.

The facing panels sit in front of the cabinet itself but behind the door.

It’s important to attach cabinets to studs, even if they’re sitting on the ground. Otherwise, heavy items may tip your cabinets over and away from the wall.

You can also install drawers in your cabinets if you’d like to. However, creating drawers is a complicated process, and it’s not easy for a beginner to take on.