Skip to Content

Easy DIY Cabinet Build with Basic Tools

I love saving money by building my own unique furniture. Take media cabinets, for example. I’ve built several for clients in the past, but I’ve also made two for my home. This is an amazingly easy DIY Cabinet to start your building portfolio.

Media cabinets are essential furniture for any living room, family room, or entertainment space. They provide storage for all your electronic devices, including TVs, gaming consoles, DVD players, and sound systems, while keeping them organized and out of sight.

DIY Cabinet Build Plans

I know firsthand how it can add style and aesthetic appeal to any room. but, buying a pre-made media cabinet can be super expensive, and it may not fit your specific needs. That’s why building your media cabinet with basic tools is an excellent cost-effective and customizable solution.

What’s a Media Cabinet for?

A media cabinet is a piece of furniture designed to store and organize electronic devices and media. It provides a designated space for all your entertainment-related items, keeping them neat and organized. It also helps protect your electronics from dust and other debris, prolonging their lifespan.

How to Build a Media Cabinet with Basic Tools

Easy DIY Cabinet Build with Basic Tools 1

Now for the good stuff! I’ve used this tutorial to build many media cabinets, bookshelves, and more. So, I know firsthand how easy it is to DIY. Just make sure you have all the materials and tools before you begin.

Materials You’ll Need

  • 4 sheets of ¾ inch plywood
  • 1 sheet of ¼ inch plywood
  • Wood glue
  • Wood screws
  • Wood filler
  • Sandpaper
  • Paint or stain

Tools You’ll Need

  • Circular saw or table saw
  • Drill
  • Countersink bit
  • Clamps
  • Measuring tape
  • Pencil

Step One: Cut the Plywood

Using a circular saw or table saw, cut the ¾-inch plywood into the following pieces:

  • two 36-inch by 16-inch pieces for the sides
  • one 36-inch by 16 ¾-inch piece for the top
  •  one 36-inch by 14 ¼-inch piece for the bottom
  • two 13 ½-inch by 16-inch pieces for the shelves

Then cut the ¼ inch of plywood into a 36-inch by 16-inch piece for the back. Now you’ve got all your wood pieces prepped and ready to go!

Step 2: Assemble the Cabinet Frame

With the wood glue and wood screws, attach the sides to the top and bottom pieces. Make sure to countersink the screws to prevent them from sticking out. Then, attach the back piece to the cabinet using wood screws and wood glue.

Step 3: Add Some Shelves

Grab your clamps and attach the shelves to the cabinet’s sides, ensuring they are level. Secure them with wood screws and wood glue.

Step 4: Sand and Fill

This step is essential and should never be skipped when making wooden furniture. Sand the cabinet and shelves to remove any rough edges that can catch on clothes and skin. Fill any holes or gaps with wood filler, and sand again once the filler has dried.

Step 5: Paint or Stain

Choose a paint or stain color that you love and add a pop of color to the space or something that matches your current furniture. Dark walnut is a popular choice amongst homeowners and DIYers. Let it dry completely before adding any electronics.

Readers Also Ask

What Can You Put in a Media Cabinet?

You store various electronic devices, including a TV, gaming consoles, DVD players, sound systems, and other streaming devices. It can also hold media such as DVDs, Blu-rays, and video games. I also use parts of my media cabinet to store and display my favorite books.

What are Media Cabinets Made of?

Media cabinets can be made of just about any material, with wood, metal, and glass being the most common. But, like anything, each material has its pros and cons.

Wood is the most popular material for media cabinets because it is durable and can be stained or painted to match your decor. Some of the best woods to use are:

Metal media cabinets are sturdy and have a modern aesthetic, while glass media cabinets are sleek and sprinkle sophistication throughout any room.

What’s the Best Material for a Media Cabinet?

The best material for your custom media cabinet will heavily depend on your personal preference and the style of your room.

A wooden media cabinet would be an excellent choice if you have traditional or rustic decor. You can leave it natural with a clear finish or choose a stain color matching your furniture.

On the other hand, if you have a modern or industrial aesthetic, a metal media cabinet would be a better fit. Although, handling metal materials when doing a DIY project like this will require some skill and more advanced tools. 

You can always add metal elements to a bare wooden cabinet like gluing metal tiles on door panels or attaching a metal sheet as a back panel.

If you want to add elegance to your room, a glass media cabinet would be the best option. That said, the entire cabinet won’t be glass, as that’s not practical. Instead, build the structure from wood and add glass as accents in the doors, shelving, etc.

And Voila!

Building your own media cabinet with basic tools is a simple and affordable solution that allows you to customize your furniture’s size, style, and color. 

By following these steps I’ve laid out for you and using my recommended materials and tools, you can create a media cabinet that suits your specific needs and complements your décor beautifully.

Remember to measure twice, cut once, and take your time to ensure each step is done correctly. You can quickly have a beautiful and functional media cabinet with a little patience and effort.

I promise!

Other Helpful Articles

Here are some other articles on woodworking that you might find helpful.

What To Do With Aspen Wood: The Best Woodworking Ideas!

Alder Vs. Birch: Who is the winner

Poplar Vs. Basswood: A Detailed Comparison

Alder vs. Pine [Which Wood is Better For Your Project]