The Step-by-Step Guide to Building a Do-It-Yourself Kitchen Cabinet You’ll Love

Whether building a new kitchen or remodelling an old one, it always begins with the cabinet. If you’re a DIY enthusiast, the thought of building your own kitchen cabinet must've crossed your mind a hundred times already.

Well, you’re not alone! The last five-year global data on kitchen cabinets shows an increasing demand for ”do-it-yourself cabinets” for all good reasons.

• Cost savings 
• Versatility in design 
• Easy access to follow-along videos available online 
• The influence of DIY culture
• Celebrity endorsements of customizable furniture

No matter the reason, do-it-yourself kitchen cabinets are now more than a trend. It’s here to stay - a perfect solution for anyone with the least bit of interest in home improvement. Above all, it's a simple, doable project. You can pick it up over a weekend, have the freedom to choose from a range of materials, and still keep it within budget.

The best part? Although far from mainstream carpentry, you still get to learn a skill. Do it a couple of times, and you’ve already mastered it and bragging rights every time someone throws in praise. 

Here’s an exclusive guide to learn how to build a do-it-yourself kitchen cabinet, step-by-step. Let’s go!

Building A Do-It-Yourself Kitchen Cabinet: How Time And Money Fit In

Before we run down the steps to build a do-it-yourself kitchen cabinet, it's important to know how your budget and timeline fit in. So, before you pick up your saw, here are a few points to consider. 

• Cabinets form 25–35% of a full kitchen remodelling budget.
• Trading MDF boxes for plywood can be a game-changer for durability and screw-holding strength.
• It will take around 6-10 hours as a beginner (usually split between two sessions; build and finish) to build a basic upper cabinet. 

If these numbers inspire you, then you’re more than ready to cut through the wood for a custom, do-it-yourself kitchen cabinet. Here are a few pro tips to keep in mind from the start.

• Always size your furniture parts to match the kitchen space, not the other way around.
• Go for solid wood face frames and void-free plywood over others.
• Aim to build one box at a time and then go for matching units.

How To Build A Do-It-Yourself Kitchen Cabinet (Step-By-Step)

Here are the exact steps you need to follow to build a do-it-yourself kitchen cabinet for the first time.

Step 1: Gathering the tools & materials 

• 18 mm cabinet-grade plywood (sides, top, bottom)
• 6–9 mm plywood
• 25–40 mm pocket screws
• Wood glue, clamps, and nails
• Solid wood for the face frame and door rails
• Concealed hinges per door (2 units)
• Magnetic catch or soft-close hardware
• Shelf pins, 6 mm bit, filler, primer, and clear finish

Step 2: Planning and Measurement

• Measure and note the dimensions (Width × Height × Depth) (Tip: For upper cabinets, keep it 300–350 mm deep and 550-600 mm for lower cabinets).
• Subtract the material thickness to get the actual sizing for the internal parts. 
• Choose the face frame, either classic or modern frameless designs.

Step 3: Cutting wood panels

• Once you have your plywood ready, rip the sides, top, and bottom equally. (Use a circular saw for regular, tear-out-free cuts.)
• Next, start cutting the back slightly smaller to fit inside the box.
• Mark shelf-pin lines as the panels lie flat. 

Step 4: Assembling the box

• Start by drilling little pocket holes along the top and bottom edges (inside faces).
• Next, glue and screw the top and bottom. Don't forget to check the diagonals and keep adjusting until you get the square shape right.
• Again, glue and screw the back to lock the square box in place.

Step 5: Adding the face frame

For classic cabinet faces: 

• Start building with 30–40 mm rails.
• Once done, glue and clamp it to the box to hide the edges and stiffen the cabinet.

For frameless cabinet faces, apply iron-on edgeband to hide exposed plywood edges. 

• Start with flush-trimming using a sharp blade and follow the same steps as above.

Step 5: Building the cabinet door

• For shaker-style cabinet doors, start fitting the rails in solid wood with a 6–9 mm panel.
• For slab-style doors, use a clean plywood panel with edgeband and sand it to 180-grit. 
• Use pre-drill hinge cups (35 mm).

Step 6: The Finishing Touch

• Fill all holes and sand progressively (for example, start with a sandpaper of 120 grit and gradually move to 150 and then 180 grit).
• Put primer and apply 2–3 top coats of clean paint ( Light sanding might be required between the coats).
• Let all parts dry fully before installation.

Step 7: Install Your Do–it–Yourself Cabinet

• Start by snapping a level line on the wall. For upper cabinets, screw in a temporary ledger board following the line.
• Pre-drill through the back and into the studs. Ensure to use appropriate cabinet screws.
• Shim until it's perfectly level and then tighten the screws.
• Hang the door(s), adjust the hinges to close the gaps (if any). 
• Next, add the shelves and other hardware.

Time To Build Your Do-it-Yourself Kitchen Cabinet 

Building a do-it-yourself kitchen cabinet doesn't have to be difficult. Follow the steps accurately, and in no time, you will have a kitchen cabinet gracing your culinary corner, stylish, in-budget, and functional. Take it slow, master the steps, and have fun along the way!