Plans

Free DIY Furniture Plans to Build a 3 Drawer Medicine Cabinet

03.03.12 By //

Build a simple, yet stylish, medicine cabinet to add more storage to your bathroom! This medicine cabinet has 3 apothecary-styled drawers to help contain anything from q-tips to combs!

As with all of our plans, you are building at your own risk and you should have a firm understanding of building in general before you attempt many of our plans (some are easy as pie and perfect for beginners). With that, go forth, have fun, take lots of pictures and share them in a showcase on the site or on social media with the hashtag #builtTDCtuff and we will share our faves! Be sure to tag @thedesignconfidential on Instagram / FB and @thedesconf on Twitter / Pinterest. If you are a blogger and you post about your build, don’t forget to include a link to your post on your showcase here. Don’t forget… for all of our newer plans, clicking on the images will let them expand to enormous sizes with much greater clarity. The older plans may need updating so please let us know if you need one fixed!

You Can Build This! Easy DIY Furniture Plans from The Design Confidential with Complete Instructions on How to Build a 3 Drawer Apothecary Medicine Cabinet via @thedesconf
  • 1 – 1 x 6 x 8′
  • 1 – 1 x 6 x 4′
  • 1 – 1 x 4 x 2′ (you only need 16 1/2″)
  • 1 – 1 x 3 x 4 (or furring strip, if cheaper)
  • 1 – 2 x 4 sheet of 1/4″ ply
  • 1 – 2 x 4 sheet of 1/2″ ply (or scraps! Use scraps for this, if you have any!)

 

  • 2 – 1 x 6 @ 24″ (sides)
  • 3 – 1 x 6 @ 16 1/2″ (top, bottom & shelf)
  • 2 – 1 x 6 @ 5″ (dividers)
  • 1 – 1 x 4 @ 16 1/2″ (inside shelf)
  • 6 – 1/2″ ply @ 4 3/4″ x 4 1/2″ (drawer fronts and backs)
  • 6 – 1/2″ ply @ 4 1/2 x 4 1/2″ (drawer sides)
  • 3 – 1/4″ ply @ 5 1/2″ x 4 3/4″ (drawer bottoms)
  • 1 – 1/4″ ply @ 18″ x 24″ (back)
  • 2 – 1 x 3 @ 11 1/4″ (door rail)
  • 2 – 1 x 3 @ 16 1/2″ (door stiles)
  • 1 – 1 x 3 @ 16 1/2 (support cleat)

Before beginning to build, always check in on my site to make sure you have the most up to date set of plans, I occasionally update and change the plans to make the building process easier or to allow for less expensive purchasing of materials! Read through the entire set of instructions and all comments before beginning this project. If you print out or save plans, be sure to check in on my site to be sure you have the most up to date set of plans, as I occasionally update things for ease of building or buying. If you are new to building, read through the GETTING STARTED section and other articles found under the BUILD tab in the menu on my site, it has valuable information about how to get started, tools and techniques. If you are unfamiliar with the finishing process, visit my Finishing school for some tips and tricks for painting like a pro and for special finishing practices. Use glue to secure your joints and Consider Painting or Staining individual sections prior to assembling. This makes the paint application virtually flawless. Coat with a spray on Poly or Wipe on Poly to protect your finish and your piece and it will last for ages. Adhere to all safety standards and guidelines, and be sure you follow safety protocol throughout your build. If you are unsure about whether you are building safely, run a quick online search for the tool or technique you are using, or contact me via email or post to the forum before you move ahead. My contact info can be found in the menu of my site.

Build a box using your side pieces and your top and bottom pieces. Make sure that the top and bottom boards are on the inside of the side boards.

Measure 5″ from the bottom inside of the box, and screw your shelf in with 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Attach your support cleat to the back using 1 1/4″ pocket holes set for 3/4″ stock. It’s best to put your pocket holes at the back of the piece.

Add your drawer dividers. I found it easiest to just use glue and 1 1/4″ finish nails. Otherwise, predrill through the middle shelf and bottom of the cabinet, and use 1 1/4″ screws and glue. You cannot use pocket holes for these.

Figure out where you want your inside shelf. I preferred to have mine 5 1/2″ down so that I had an area for my smaller items, and one for my taller items. But this is entirely up to you, and what you plan to store! Attach shelf to the cabinet using 1 1/4″ pocket holes set for 3/4″ stock.

Build your drawers, make sure your 4 1/2″ boards are sandwiched between the 4 3/4″ boards. Use glue and 1 1/4″ finishing nails.

Attach your drawer bottoms using glue and 1 1/4″ finish nails

Build your door as shown. Use 1 1/4″ pocket holes set for 3/4″ stock.

Attach the back, using glue and 1 1/4″ finish nails.

Insert your mirror or glass into the door using mirror clips. If you plan on using wood, attach with only glue, and let dry.

Attach the door with the hinges, add some hardware, and put your drawers in place.

To hang, locate studs and screw through the support cleat into the studs using 2 – 3″ screws. If no studs are available, use the appropriate wall anchors.

Fill any Screw, Nail or Pocket Holes, Sand and Finish as Desired. For Finishing Tips and Tricks visit my Finishing School

// Disclaimer: Some rights reserved. Private use only. Feel Free to link to any of my plans so long as you ONLY use 1 image and provide an ADEQUATE link back to the original source and appropriate plan! Plans from this page are not to be used for commercial purposes or republished without the express written consent of Rayan Turner, The Design Confidential. By accessing or using any part of the web site, you agree to become bound by the terms and conditions of this website as outlined under Terms of Use. If you do not agree to all the terms and conditions of this agreement, then you may not access the Website or use any services. The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by The Design Confidential.com and while we endeavor to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, personal injury or death, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of information or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website. I hope to provide accurate plans, however, I cannot guarantee each plan for accuracy. Not every plan that I post has been built and tested, so you are building at your own risk. It is recommended that you have a clear understanding of how the project works before beginning any project. Please contact me if you find an error or inaccuracy so that I might fix it. The Design Confidential.com is inspired by but does not replicate exact designs, any similarities between these plans and items sold at specialty retailers is coincidental and not endorsed by or related to any said retailers. // Affiliate links are used for tools and materials. The Design Confidential will earn a small commission for any items purchased using these links. Thank you for your support – every little bit counts!

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