A Custom Closet for the Guest Room

— 2 minute read

We had a second-hand closet in our guest room but it was plain old ugly and too big for the room. We also wanted to orient the bed in another way and maybe even put in a double bed.​

I used primed 18 mm MDF that I plan on leaving as is for the carcass. The doors got three coats of white paint. In order not to bankrupt myself I skipped the designer handles I saw and opted for cheaper handles from IKEA.

Guest Room Closet
Started with a plan in SketchUp

Guest Room Closet
Original state of affairs

Guest Room Closet
Base made from scrap plywood

Guest Room Closet
First module, MDF joined with biscuits, glue and screws

Guest Room Closet
First module on the base

Guest Room Closet
Second module on top of the first

Guest Room Closet
Plywood enclosure for the bed, brad-nailed in place

Guest Room Closet
Final module

Guest Room Closet
That was a tight fit (see Lessons Learned)

Guest Room Closet
Quick and dirty jig to drill the shelf pin holes

Guest Room Closet
Way too many shelf pin holes

Guest Room Closet
Installing hinges

Guest Room Closet
Doors installed

Guest Room Closet
Handles are on

Lessons learned

  • Even after making several closets, I still managed to order the wrong hinges, d'oh!
  • Drill shelf pin holes before assembling the cabinet, seriously, what was I thinking. And use a jig.
  • Use filler pieces so you don't have to hammer the final cabinet in place. It is tight though.