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This clever project turned a built-in wardrobe into a multi-function home-office station.
The project
My father had already partially converted this wardrobe into an office space by installing a long benchtop with some shelves and cupboards above it. I wanted to add cabinets underneath to store office supplies and other work-related items.
Tools and materials
Tools used in the project:
- Measuring tape and marker
- Level
- Sliding mitre saw
- Drill driver.
Materials used in the project:
- Various L brackets
- Wallmate plasterboard anchors
- Various sized screws
- 30mm x 12mm Pine
- 120mm x 19mm Pine
- 70mm x 35mm Pine
- A cheap drawer set (I was going to build one but found one for $10 at Officeworks)
- Black spray paint
- Melamine for shelves
- Melamine edging tape
- 4 x soft-close hinges
- Door handles.
The build
Step 1
I measured the interior of the wardrobe and decided how high I wanted the bottom and middle shelves to be. I then put together the Officeworks drawer set to determine how much of the 120mm Pine I needed to cut down to fit. To my absolute amazement, the drawer set actually fit perfectly on top of the Pine (which I had spray-painted black).
I then created the base for the drawers to sit on and connected the unit to the 30mm Pine at the back, which would also support the Melamine shelves. (The Pine can be fixed using Wallmates or by screwing it directly into the studs).
Step 2
Once the bottom was completely secure, I slid the drawers in for a nice, snug fit. I secured it to the top bench using L brackets. I attached 30mm pine to the sides of the drawers to create the final lip that the Melamine shelves would rest on.
After ensuring everything was level (again), I cut the Melamine to size and carefully placed the shelves in, flush to the front lip. These were then secured in place by L brackets at the rear (for the bottom ones) and underneath the middle shelf inside the 30mm Pine lip.
Step 3
I then had the issue of doors, which is something I learned I should have done first as the positioning created issues. I ended up cutting two Melamine doors to size and used some edging tape to make it feel nice. I used some spare 70mm x 35mm Pine to secure the doors onto, ensuring they were flush with where the drawers were. I then added the door handles.
The bottom cabinet doors were originally kept closed just by the hinges, but after our kid was born I went on a child-proofing spree and installed some neodymium disc magnets into the door and inside the cabinet to hold it shut – at least enough for a young child to not open.
And that's that!
The drawers and storage were great for my work efficiency and my wife. Along with my other home-office projects has been brilliant for my home-based employment throughout the Covid crisis.
More inspiration for your home office
Experienced Workshop member Rob shared a step-by-step guide to building your own desk.
The Bunnings team has also shared these helpful guides to get you started:
There are also plenty of great ideas in our collection of 8 inspiring cabinet projects and 10 home office project ideas.
Let us know if you need a hand with your project – we're here to help.
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