Better Homes and Gardens (Australia)
EASY STEPS TO BUILD YOUR STORAGE BOXES
Made from plywood, the DIY furniture in this tween bedroom is budget-friendly and, with no complicated joinery, is easy to assemble. Just cut, glue and screw! First you make square and rectangular boxes, then aach them to wall-mounted panels. In this way you can create shelving and a built-in desk. You can also mount boxes directly to your walls.
For you to note
• Measure walls to calculate sizes of plywood panels that will hold the boxes. Then work out size and number of boxes.
• Have all the panel and box pieces cut and ready to go before you start.
• The box back sits inside the box, so it will be the same height as the side pieces and the same width as the top and base minus 36mm.
Here’s how
STEP 1 Mark plywood into square and rectangular boxes for wall shelving and desk. The desktop needs to be at least 600mm deep and 900mm wide. Cut out pieces with a circular saw.
STEP 2 Put a box side on base with edges flush and mark line in pencil – this will be a guide when screwing the bu joints. Repeat with other side of base.
STEP 3 Position side against base and hold in place to predrill, using marked line as a guide. Repeat for other side.
STEP 4 Apply glue to edge of 1 side piece; position against base. Secure with screws.
STEP 5 Glue and screw other side to box base.
STEP 6 Repeat Steps 2-5 to make remaining boxes.
STEP 7 Apply wood filler to all screw holes using a puy knife. Smooth and let dry.
STEP 8 Using a detail sander, sand the filler so it is even with the surface and give all the box sides a sand.
STEP 9 Apply 2 coats of clear varnish to boxes and panels using a roller, leing them dry in between coats.
STEP 10 Measure about 50mm in from each corner of wall panel and predrill. Mark corresponding locations on the wall and drill a hole, insert wall plug and hammer in.
STEP 11 Screw through predrilled holes into wall plugs to aach panel to masonry walls. (For stud walls, secure to studs.)
STEP 12 Mark positions of shelving boxes on wall panel, then secure with screws through box back, checking for level. Repeat to mount a plywood panel and desk boxes, ensuring desktop is at least 700mm from the floor.
STEP 13 Mount a plywood panel, cut to size for space behind the door. Secure baskets to ply using screws.
6 Storage is the secret
to a great tween room. As their homework, sporting and social commitments increase, they need space to study and relax, plus somewhere to display their treasures. A wall-mounted desk and shelving maximise floor space and minimise cluer. It’s a win-win.