• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Woodshop Diaries
  • About
    • Work With Me
  • DIY Projects
    • DIY Furniture Plans
      • DIY Bed Plans
      • DIY Dresser Plans
      • DIY Nightstand Plans
      • DIY Desk Plans
      • DIY TV Stand Plans
      • Coffee and Side Table Plans
      • Tables
      • Shelves and Bookcase Plans
      • DIY Storage Trunk Plans
      • DIY Bench Plans
      • DIY Storage Cabinet Plans
      • DIY Bathroom Vanity Plans
      • Kids Projects and Furniture
    • DIY Scrap Wood Projects
    • DIY Workshop Projects
    • DIY Home Decor Projects
  • Shop
  • DIY Basics–Tips & Tools
    • Cabinet Building
    • Woodworking Basics
    • Furniture Finishing Tips
    • Tool Guides & Reviews
  • Blog
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • DIY Furniture Projects
  • Easy DIY Projects
  • Shop
  • Browse Projects by Category
  • Woodworking Tips
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Furniture

    DIY Console Cabinet with Open Shelf

    July 6, 2017 by Shara, Woodshop Diaries

    In a world where chalk paint is the queen of Pinterest and furniture makeovers are the hottest trend, I’m over here ABSOLUTELY LOVING the fact that the friend who asked for my latest build asked for it UNFINISHED.

    How to build a Gorgeous DIY Console Cabinet

    HALLELUJAH…once the sanding was done, I was DONE. No staining, no painting, no polying. Best client EVER. In case you can’t tell, I HATE finishing…but mainly painting…I’d rather pluck all my leg hairs out one by one than have to paint furniture. NO. JOKE.

    .

    I actually kind of like what it looked like unfinished. Sometimes I think the furniture I build looks the best “naked.” But I think I’m in the minority there.

    .

    I do have to add, though, that after thorough testing (not really), it has been discovered that my “naked furniture” pictures on Instagram get more likes than my finished and styled ones do. That’s for real, so maybe I’m onto something here…

    .

    Anyway, for all of you who love a good build, I’ve got you covered with the how to AND some “naked furniture” pictures. For those of you who like a good furniture painting project, I got some pictures of it after she worked her magic on it, to.

    .

    What do you know…it’s a project that suits everyone 🙂

    .

    Alright, so let’s get to the how to.

    .

    This post contains affiliate links.  If you purchase through one of these links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.  This helps keep the content free.  Thank you for supporting this site!

    Materials Needed:

    1 sheet ¾” plywood

    1 sheet ¼” plywood

    (2) 2x10x8 boards

    (11) 2x2x8 boards

    (3) 1x3x8 boards

    4 sets hinges

    2 double magnetic catches

    2 ½” pocket hole screws

    1 ¼” pocket hole screws

    Staples longer than ¼” or brad nails

    Wood glue

    Tools Needed:

    Circular saw

    Kreg Rip Cut (optional, but helpful)

    Miter Saw

    Kreg Jig for pocket holes

    Drill

    Table Saw

    Router and rabbet bit (optional)

    Sander

    Clamps

    Step 1: Assemble the sides

    First, I cut four 2×2 legs at 40” long. Then I ripped two plywood strips from my sheet 14” wide using my circular saw and rip cut. You could use a table saw for this, but it’s easier with the circular saw and rip cut…especially when you are scrawny like me haha.

    .

    Then I cut a 26” long piece off EACH 14” strip. Don’t cut them both from the same strip, or you’ll have to cut another strip for the next part of the build.

    How to build a Gorgeous DIY Console Cabinet

    Using ¾″  pocket holes and 1 ¼″ pocket hole screws, I attached two legs to each piece of plywood making two side panels like the picture below. Notice the pocket holes on the top…that’s to attach the top later.

    How to build a Gorgeous DIY Console Cabinet

    Step 2: Assemble the carcass

    I love using the word “carcass.” I think I’ve told you that before??

    .

    I cut 6 pieces of 2×2 at 60” long and used them to attach the sides together using 1 ½″ pocket holes and 2 ½″ pocket hole screws like shown.

    How to build a Gorgeous DIY Console Cabinet

    The bottom 2x2s were attached 3” from the bottom of the legs and the middle 2x2s were attached so that the bottom of the 2×2 was 26” from the top of the legs.

    .

    The picture doesn’t show, because I didn’t add this until later (long story…I had to cut some more 2x2s), but you could also add 14” long 2x2s at the bottom along the sides (front to back) at this point. Or later…whichever.

    Step 3: Add the bottom and shelf

    The remaining pieces of plywood from step 1 should both be 60” long. Perfect fit for the shelf on the bottom and the cabinet bottom. See what I did there?

    .

    I drilled ¾″ pocket holes along the edges of both pieces and screwed them into the 2x2s and the sides like shown using 1 ¼″ pocket hole screws. This picture was taken looking from the bottom view.

    How to build a Gorgeous DIY Console Cabinet

    And here, I still haven’t added the bottom side 2x2s…but I will, I promise!

    How to build a Gorgeous DIY Console Cabinet

    Step 4: Add middle divider

    I cut two pieces of 2×2 at 23” and attached using 1 ½″ pocket holes and 2 ½″ pocket hole screws in the middle of the piece on the front and back. Be sure to measure for the exact center.

    How to build a Gorgeous DIY Console Cabinet

    Then, I cut a piece of plywood at 14” wide and 24 ½” long and attached using ¾″ pocket holes and 1 ¼″ pocket hole screws like shown.

    How to build a Gorgeous DIY Console Cabinet

    PS see that other cabinet in the background?? It’s this dresser!

    Step 5: Add back

    I tried a new way of adding a back using my router. You could do this or simple staple the back on. Either way works just fine. I used a ⅜” rabbet bit in my router to make a ¼” deep groove around the back openings and stapled in the ¼” plywood for the back in so that it sits flush. Or you could just cut ¼” plywood to fit over the holes in the back and staple. It’s just an extra step to use the router. Either way, just get a back on that thing 😉

    How to build a Gorgeous DIY Console Cabinet

    Step 6: Add those 2x2s on the bottom sides if you haven’t already

    Talking to myself here…See?? I told you I was going to add them. If you haven’t already, add these things!

    How to build a Gorgeous DIY Console Cabinet

    Now we are here…almost done.

    How to build a Gorgeous DIY Console Cabinet

    Step 7: Build the top

    Click over to my post here to see how I make table tops. I made this top 65” long and 18” deep. I used my 2x10s here.

    How to build a Gorgeous DIY Console Cabinet

    Once the glue is dry, I screwed the top in through the top front and back 2x2s using 2 ½” screws and then used 1 ¼″ pocket hole screws to attach on the side and middle divider panels.

    Step 8: Build the doors

    Check out my post here on how to build these simple shaker style cabinet doors. I built 4 of them taking into account the width of the butt hinges and leaving a small gap between the doors. Because things can sometimes get a little “off,” it’s best to measure the exact size for these before you make them instead of me telling you. I usually leave ⅛” gap along all the edges for doors. You can do the math 🙂

    .

    Once the doors were made, I simply attached using small brass butt hinges.

    How to build a Gorgeous DIY Console Cabinet

    I used double magnetic catches to hold the doors in place. My friend installed her own hardware after she finished it, so at this point, my work was done 🙂

    How to build a Gorgeous DIY Console Cabinet

    How to build a Gorgeous DIY Console Cabinet

    How to build a Gorgeous DIY Console Cabinet

    I seriously love it just plain and natural. But in case you like a more finished look, check this out!

    How to build a Gorgeous DIY Console Cabinet

    How to build a Gorgeous DIY Console Cabinet

    How to build a Gorgeous DIY Console Cabinet

    How to build a Gorgeous DIY Console Cabinet

    So what do you guys think?? Ready to build one of your own??

    .

    If so, I’d love it if you would pin this for later 🙂

    How to build a Gorgeous DIY Console Cabinet

    Until next time, happy building!!

    « DIY Bar Cart from a Single Board
    How to Build a DIY Keepsake Box from Scrap Wood »

    Related Posts

    Bathroom Remodel Update–The Point of No Return
    Let’s Talk About Flooring–The Master Bedroom Chaos
    How to Hide Your Ugly Water Heater

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Alina

      May 26, 2018 at 9:50 am

      How much did this cost to build? Supple wise?

      • Shara, Woodshop Diaries

        May 27, 2018 at 6:44 am

        I would estimate about $75-100

    2. Amanda L Schulz

      January 23, 2018 at 11:25 am

      Is there a link that Im missing to a pdf or something to print the instructions?

      • Shara, Woodshop Diaries

        January 28, 2018 at 7:40 am

        This post is the instructions. I do not have pdf plans, but this tutorial should provide all the measurements and instructions you need 🙂

    3. Renee Smith

      July 06, 2017 at 10:36 am

      This is gorgeous! What are the dimensions for the finished product? I would love to build this but my area for a console is less than 42″ wide. Could it be modified to be smaller?

      • Shara, Woodshop Diaries

        July 06, 2017 at 11:11 am

        Thank you! The finished table is 18″ deep, 41 1/2″ tall, and 65″ wide. You could definitely modify it to be narrower if you needed! It’s fairly simple to modify that direction.

    Trackbacks

    1. How to Build an X Base Console Table says:
      August 8, 2017 at 11:00 am

      […] Putty and sand as needed. I let my friend finish this table since I made it for her. Plus, you know how I hate finishing (remember from this console cabinet post??). […]

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi! I'm Shara, the designer, maker, and videographer behind Woodshop Diaries. Let's get building, friends :)

    Learn more →

    Woodworking Tips & Guides

    • DIY Simple Shaker Cabinet Doors
    • 5 Tools To Get Started Woodworking
    • DIY Kitchen Cabinets–From Only Plywood
    • How to Square Board Edges and Make Your Own 2x2s

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Tips to Take Your Projects to the Next Level

    --5 Secrets to Professional Looking DIY Furniture

    --How to Properly Finish Raw Wood Furniture {Without a Sprayer!}

    --How to EASILY Cover Plywood Edges

    --4 Ways to Fill a Pocket Hole

    --10 Must Have Tools for Furniture and Cabinet Building

    Printable Building Plans

    Check out our shop to browse printable PDF building plans!

    Website Policies

    This website is for entertainment purposes. Using any information provided is to be at your own risk.

    This site uses cookies to provide you with a better experience.

    All images and text on this site are property of Woodshop Diaries, LLC. Please be respectful and don't steal this content.

    See policies page on this site for more information.

    Want to get in touch? Contact Us Here

    Copyright © 2022