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How to make a cabinet from a cube unit

By Bunnings magazine /

green cabinet sitting on timber floors, pink walls

Overview

Storage stunner

Transform an affordable cube unit into a nostalgic statement piece with wood dowel in this D.I.Y. project.

Safety tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, ear muffs and a mask, for example) and follow the instructions for the product or equipment.

Steps

  1. 1

    Make the cabinet doors

    From the pine panels, use a circular saw with straight edge to cut two 690mm x 340mm doors. (You can also have them cut in-store.) Use a handsaw and mitre box to cut the lengths of half-round dowel into 22 pieces, each 690mm long. Smooth all edges with 180-grit sandpaper and wipe away any dust with a damp cloth.

    Circular saw cutting pine panels
  2. 2

    Place the wood dowel

    Position the doors on a flat surface, right side up. Apply adhesive along the back of the dowel pieces and position them on the doors, working from the outside in and leaving a small gap at the centre. Wipe away any excess adhesive with a damp cloth and place timber offcuts over the top as weights.

    Leave to cure.

    Adhesive glue on dowel pieces
  3. 3

    Paint the unit

    Prep, prime and paint the cube unit. Prime and apply two coats of paint over the doors and furniture legs, leaving to dry after each coat.

    Persons hand painting cube unit
  4. 4

    Add the legs

    To install the legs, place the cube unit upside down on a drop sheet. Position the furniture leg plates inside the screws of the cube to mark the holes. Pre-drill the centre hole with an 8mm bit and the screws with a 3mm bit, then secure with the supplied screws using a flat-head screwdriver. Twist the legs firmly into place.

    Painted leg placed on cube unit]
  5. 5

    Mark the hinges

    Position two hinges on the back of each door, 160mm from the top and base, using them as templates to mark the holes, before drilling with a 3mm bit and securing with the supplied screws. Place the unit on the ground, facing up, to position the doors and mark the hinges inside, before drilling and securing.

    Green Bunnings hammer
    Tip: Enlist a second pair of hands to hold the doors while marking and securing.
    Hinge on door with drill]
  6. 6

    Secure the cabinet handles

    On the inside of the doors, measure 280mm from the top to position the top of the handles, using them as a template to mark the holes, then drill through with a 4mm bit. Snap the screws to length using two sets of pliers, and secure from the back into the handles with a screwdriver.

    *Timbers vary by state and territory; contact your local store for further information.

    Green Bunnings hammer
    Tip: Centre the magnetic cabinet catches over the shelf to keep the doors closed.
    Painted dowel unit with one door opened by handle
  7. 7

    Ready to find out what else you can do with a cube unit?

    Check out our easy D.I.Y. guide to making a TV arch console, play table and more.

    Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.

     

    Photo Credit: James Moffatt

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Health & Safety

Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.

When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.