DIY Garage Cabinets With Doors

Measure the space in which you plan to install your cabinets using a measuring tape. Take the length, depth and height measurements of your desired cabinets then record these measurements on a piece of paper.

Use a table saw to cut two identical sheets of 1/2-inch pine for the sides of your cabinets and two more for the top and bottom. Cut the sides of your cabinets using the height and depth measurements you just took and cut the top and bottom using the length and depth measurements of your cabinets.

Assemble the four pieces of 1/2-inch pine in a rectangular shape, positioning the boards upright on their longest narrow edges with the boards of equal length opposite each other. Align the edges of the boards at all four corners to complete the rectangle shape and secure them in place by driving 1 1/2-inch wood screws through the top and bottom panels into the thickness of the side panels.

Cut a sheet of 1/2-inch pine using the length and height measurements of your cabinet to create the back panel. Lay this panel flat on top of the rectangular frame you just constructed and align the outside edges. Secure the frame in place by driving 1 1/2-inch wood screws through the back panel into the top, bottom and side panels of the frame.

Flip the cabinet frame over so the open side is facing up. Measure and mark the desired position of your dividers and additional shelves. You may choose to build one large, open cabinet, but dividing the cabinet into smaller sections will provide you with separated storage areas. Adding additional shelves will also make organizing your items easier.

Use the table saw to cut additional sheets of 1/2-inch pine for the dividers and shelves inside your cabinet. Cut the dividers using the height and depth measurements of your cabinets and use the depth of the cabinets and the length of the specific cabinet section to cut your shelves.

Slide the dividers into place vertically between the top and bottom panels of the cabinet where you made the pencil marks. Secure the dividers in place by driving 1 1/2-inch wood screws through the top, bottom and back panels into the dividers. Slide the shelves into place horizontally between the dividers and secure them in place by driving 1 1/2-inch wood screws through the dividers and the back panel into the shelves.

Construct the doors for your garage cabinets by cutting a sheet of 1/2-inch pine for each cabinet section using the length and height dimensions of that particular section of cabinet. If you have chosen to leave the inside of your cabinet open, it may still be wise to use two doors rather than one.

Attach the pine doors to the cabinet frame by screwing metal hinges onto the outside edge of each cabinet door about an inch from the top and bottom corners. Screw the other side of each hinge into the cabinet frame. Install knobs in each of the doors by pre-drilling a hole in the cabinet about an inch from the center edge and screwing the knob into place.

Paint or stain your garage cabinets. If you choose to stain your cabinets, apply thin coats of stain using a paintbrush and wipe away the excess between each coat. If you would rather paint your cabinets, select an exterior-grade paint that will stand up to extreme temperatures.