How to Build Built-In Cabinets [On Your Own] -

Built-in cabinets are timeless. I have loved them for as long as I can remember. When we moved into our new home we actually had a dedicated office and I knew this was a project I wanted to tackle quickly. My husband and I both work from home at times so having an office we love and is beautiful for video meetings was important.

I knew I wanted to build the built-in bookshelves but has I was designing our office, I wanted to take the project further. I added our desk to be built-in has an extension of the bookshelves. The desk is an L-shape desk out of the bookshelves and include drawers. I built the entire room myself… oh and I was 5 months pregnant when I started!

Being I was pregnant for the project, it did take me longer than I thought. I had a lot of energy when I started this project but once I hit 34 weeks, it became difficult to get energy and lift/being on my feet for long periods was a challenge. I ended up painting the office after my son was born. Overall, I would say it took me about 4 months total but I did stop for probably 2 month. And I was working full-time before I went on maternity leave. Check out what this office looked like when we first toured the house!

Below are the steps and tips I took to complete this project.

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Tools and Materials List for Building Built-In Cabinets:

Tools:

This is a roundup of the tools that I used to build my built-in bookshelves. Tools can really add up quickly if this is your first big DIY project. I suggest borrowing from a friend or neighbor if this is a one-time project you will tackle. If you will be doing more projects in the future. Investing in quality tools can really make a difference on your projects.

Here are the tools I used for this project:

Materials:

Premade Unfinished Cabinets
Birch Plywood
1×2 pine
Wood Filler
Hardware for cabinetry
Behr Cabinet, Door, and Trim Enamel Paint (Blue Color: Half Sea Fog)
Kilz Primer
Paintable Caulk

Let’s Get Started on Building Built-In Cabinets

Clear everything out of the room, if you can. It makes a huge difference when you are building and have more room to move around. Remove your Base boards from the area you are looking to install the cabinets. This is what gives you that built-in look!
Using your 2×4 wood, build a base that you cabinets will sit on. You will screw your base into the studs in the wall.
Set your built-in custom cabinets on top of your base. My cabinets has a gap between the spacing so I used, 1×2’s to fill that gap. Using liquid nails and cabinet screws, I connected the 1×2’s to the cabinets and clamped them together. Screw the cabinets to the wall studs as well.

4. If you want to add a desk, I used a 2×4 that I installed to the wall studs on the perpendicular wall. Make sure you use your level in multiple spaces on the 2×4. To provide additional support, I installed 2×4 vertically. In addition, I also installed shelf brackets.

5. I used a stand alone cabinet for my desk as part of my anchor to my desk. Once I had the placement of this, I screwed a piece of birch plywood to the vertical 2×4 and the end of the standalone cabinet.

6. Next, I cut birch plywood based on the size of the my book shelf wall and the desk. Because of the cut angle on the desk, I made a diagonal cut and fill this with wood filler.

7. Next build your cabinets. I built these on my garage floor. Using my table saw, I cut the birch plywood 12 inches wide. Measure your ceiling height to determine your length. You can also measure the width of your cabinet to determine the length of the shelves. Once you cut all your pieces on your table saw. Use your clamps and a 90 degree clamp to hold the shelves together at your preferred location. Pre-drill the holes and then screw the shelves into the sides. You will repeat this for the desired number of shelves.

8. Once your shelves are built, with a partner (they will be heavy!), bring them into the office. you will screw them again into the wall studs.

9. Since I used plywood, I decide to cover the front of the bookshelves and the desk with 1×2 pine boards. This will add a more finished look. Once this is added, you are ready to prime. My favorite primer is Kilz Primer. Since you are priming wood, make sure you use a sander in 220 grit. Primer pull the natural grain of wood out and you will need to sand for a smooth finish.