Tom M
Well-known member
I'm planning a wall unit for my small den. I'm looking to have book/magazine/computer stuff storage. My design guidelines are that it has minimal depth, floor to ceiling storage, adjustable shelves, and include some nice & simple architectural details (and of coarse cheap). This is not to be an 18th century furniture project - can you say Kreg Jig?
The attached picture is my first design concept. My wife suggested cabinets at the top for storing old files or magazines, and I like the concept. I made the base a little under 32" high so that I can use it as a place to set things when I'm sitting in my chair. I might consider lowering this a little, but I want to make sure I have enough space in the lower cabinet to have a shelf. For exposed the middle shelves, I tried to design in a height such that I can have a couple shelves for my over-sized books, or just standard spacing.
The cabinet stiles are 4" wide which should allow for a nice molding detail either in the center or side beads on the edges. I've included them in the middle of the shelves for added support since the shelves will be about 51" long.
On one side of the picture I've drawn the doors with the same size door rails (although the upper door rails are not as wide as the lower doors), and on the other side I drew the top rail 1/2" narrower than the bottom rail. Due to the width of the doors I've kept the door stiles at 3". I think I like the same size rails a little better, but this seems opposite I've what I've always thought.
I drew the bottom of the cabinet rail (at the floor) at 5". I could make this smaller or larger, but 5" seemed about right to me. The top will have crown molding and I'll eventually continue it around the room (standard Home Depot/Lowes type).
I haven't figured out all of the construction details but due to the size I'm thinking this will be built in 6 pieces - two sets of tops, middles and bottoms.
Since this will be painted I'm thinking of using MDF for the raised panels, but have no experience with MDF. Seems like it would be a lot easier than planing and gluing up boards.
Any comments, criticisms, or suggestions would be appreciated.
The attached picture is my first design concept. My wife suggested cabinets at the top for storing old files or magazines, and I like the concept. I made the base a little under 32" high so that I can use it as a place to set things when I'm sitting in my chair. I might consider lowering this a little, but I want to make sure I have enough space in the lower cabinet to have a shelf. For exposed the middle shelves, I tried to design in a height such that I can have a couple shelves for my over-sized books, or just standard spacing.
The cabinet stiles are 4" wide which should allow for a nice molding detail either in the center or side beads on the edges. I've included them in the middle of the shelves for added support since the shelves will be about 51" long.
On one side of the picture I've drawn the doors with the same size door rails (although the upper door rails are not as wide as the lower doors), and on the other side I drew the top rail 1/2" narrower than the bottom rail. Due to the width of the doors I've kept the door stiles at 3". I think I like the same size rails a little better, but this seems opposite I've what I've always thought.
I drew the bottom of the cabinet rail (at the floor) at 5". I could make this smaller or larger, but 5" seemed about right to me. The top will have crown molding and I'll eventually continue it around the room (standard Home Depot/Lowes type).
I haven't figured out all of the construction details but due to the size I'm thinking this will be built in 6 pieces - two sets of tops, middles and bottoms.
Since this will be painted I'm thinking of using MDF for the raised panels, but have no experience with MDF. Seems like it would be a lot easier than planing and gluing up boards.
Any comments, criticisms, or suggestions would be appreciated.