Building a small outdoor cabinet can be a fun and rewarding DIY project. With some basic carpentry skills and the right materials, you can create attractive and functional outdoor storage to keep tools, gardening supplies, or pool accessories organized and easily accessible. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the entire process of building your own small outdoor cabinet from start to finish.
Planning Your Outdoor Cabinet
Before you start building, take some time to think about how you plan to use the cabinet and where it will be located. This will help determine what size you need to build and what features to include. Here are some important factors to consider:
Intended Use
- What do you plan on storing in the cabinet? Gardening tools and supplies, pool floats and toys, grilling accessories? The contents will impact the size and layout.
- Will you need shelves, hooks, drawers or just open storage? Include customized interior storage features based on what you’ll be storing.
- Do you need a cabinet with doors or would open shelving work? Closed storage keeps contents protected and hidden.
Size and Dimensions
- Carefully measure the area where the cabinet will be placed. Leave sufficient clearance to open the doors/access contents.
- Standard cabinet heights are 30-36 inches. Width can vary based on space and needs. Common widths are 3-5 feet.
- Determine the depth based on what you will be storing. 12-16 inches deep is typical.
Material Selection
- Outdoor cabinets need to withstand weather, moisture and sun exposure. Cedar, redwood and pressure treated pine are good options.
- Choose exterior grade water-resistant wood composite, plywood or MDF if you’ll be painting. Avoid standard unfinished particle board or MDF.
- Pick nails, screws, hinges and hardware designed for outdoor use, like stainless steel or coated materials.
Selecting Your Materials
Once you’ve determined the size and features of your cabinet, make a list of all the materials and hardware you will need. Here are the basic supplies for building a simple square 30″ outdoor cabinet with shelves:
Wood
- 2 x 4s for framing the cabinet box
- 1/2″ or 5/8” plywood or MDF for sides, top, shelves and doors
- 1 x 2s for face frame and trim
- 1 x 4s for the cabinet bottom
Fasteners and Hardware
- 2 1/2” exterior screws
- Finishing nails
- Exterior wood glue
- Hinges for doors
- Handles or latches for doors
Tools Needed
- Circular saw or table saw
- Drill and drill bits
- Tape measure and level
- Hammer
- Nail gun (optional but recommended)
- Sander
- Safety equipment – goggles, ears covers, mask
Additional Materials
- Exterior primer and paint or wood finish/sealer
- Weather stripping for doors
- Wood putty/filler
Purchase all materials and ensure you have the necessary tools before starting the project. Moisture resistant treated lumber typically comes pre-primed and does not require additional sealing or paint. Untreated cedar or redwood will need a protective finish.
Cutting the Pieces to Size
With your materials purchased, you can now start cutting the lumber to size. Refer to the plans for the exact dimensions needed. Here are the basic cabinet component pieces:
- Top and bottom – Cut to the full outside width and depth of cabinet.
- Sides – Cut to cabinet height minus top and bottom boards.
- Shelves – Cut to width and depth desired, minus 1/2” for clearance.
- Face frame – Cut 1 x 2s to make a frame fitting around front edge.
- Trim – Cut 1 x 2s to length for any exposed cabinet edges.
- Doors – Cut to height and width calculated.
Use a circular saw and measure carefully to cut all pieces to the specified size. Having a helper make sure boards are held steady is useful for long cuts. Wear safety goggles and ear protection when using power tools.
Assemble the Basic Cabinet Box
With all your boards cut to size, you’re ready to construct the basic box frame of the outdoor cabinet:
Step 1: Attach Sides to Top and Bottom
- Lay the plywood top and bottom boards on a flat surface.
- Place the side boards along the edges so they are flush.
- Drill pilot holes and use exterior screws to attach the sides to the top and bottom boards.
Step 2: Add the Back Panel
- Measure the distance between the two side boards.
- Cut a plywood panel to this width and the full height of the cabinet side boards.
- Drill pilot holes and attach this back panel with screws into the top, bottom and side boards.
- A rabbet cut along the back edge of the side boards will hold the back panel in place if desired.
Step 3: Install Cabinet Bottom
- Flip the cabinet box over so the bottom board is facing up.
- Cut the 1 x 4 board(s) to fit front to back width.
- Drill pilot holes and attach with exterior screws.
- Use wood glue for extra strength as well.
Now you have the basic box frame complete! Doing this structure first ensures everything is square before adding additional features.
Add Interior Cabinet Storage Features
Now that you have your sturdy outer cabinet built, it’s time to include interior storage customizations like shelves, drawers or racks. Think about the intended contents as you design the storage features.
Install Fixed Shelves
Cut desired depth shelves from 5/8” plywood. Cut ledger strips from 1 x 2 boards equal to shelf depth. Secure in desired locations on the inner sides with screws. Create shelf supports on the rear wall with more ledgers. Set plywood shelves in place on the ledgers and attach. Consider using shelf pins for adjustable positioning.
Build Drawers
Construct drawer boxes out of 1/2” plywood cut to dimensions. Assemble with wood glue and brad nails. Install drawer slides rated for outdoor use. Cut a drawer face frame to fit the front of the opening out of treated 1 x 4 lumber. Attach with screws.
Include Storage Racks
Use 1 x 2 slats to build storage racks along the walls. These are great for rakes, brooms, shovels and long handled tools. Space slats far enough apart for items to slide between easily.
Add Hooks
Screw heavy duty metal hooks into the walls or sides at desired heights to hang items with holes or handles. Position where easily reached.
Install Cubbies
Divide space into square cubbies using more 1 x 2 slats. Great for holding boxes, buckets or pots. Make custom sized cubbies according to your needs.
Get creative with storage solutions! The interior features really allow you to customize the cabinet to your specific needs and maximize the usefulness.
Attach the Cabinet Doors
After creating the interior storage, you can now add the doors to the cabinet. The doors help keep contents protected from weather and debris.
Cut the Door Pieces to Size
Cut the plywood or boards for the doors according to the planned dimensions. The width is typically equal to the total cabinet width minus 1”. The height is the total cabinet height minus 2”.
Attach Hinges
Most exterior cabinet doors use European style hinges. Install the hinges to the door pieces first using the included screws. Attach the other hinge leaf to the side of the cabinet.
Install Door Latches
Decide how you want the doors to latch closed – a basic gate hook, bullet catch or magnetic catch works well. Install according to the hardware specifications.
Add Trim
Use 1 x 2 lumber to trim out the cabinet door fronts for a clean, finished look. Cut pieces to fit the sides and top, mitering the corners. Attach the trim boards with finishing nails or small screws. Fill nail holes with wood putty once attached.
Seal and Paint/Stain
Use exterior primer and paint or penetrating stain to apply the final finish to the cabinet doors. This protects them from moisture damage. Include coats on all surfaces including edges.
Installing hinged doors provides an enclosed space to keep contents organized and concealed. Choose latching hardware that allows the doors to be secured shut.
Extra Tips and Tricks
- Add trim boards made from 1 x 2s around all exposed plywood edges for a completed appearance. Miter cut the corners.
- Use wood glue along with mechanical fasteners when assembling for strongest bonds.
- Drill pilot holes when screwing into plywood edges to prevent splitting.
- Sand wood smooth and fill holes/gaps with wood filler for best paint adhesion.
- Consider adding crown molding along the top for enhanced visual appeal.
- Use spar urethane or marine varnish for maximum water protection on exposed wood surfaces.
- Install cabinet on concrete pavers or gravel base for improved moisture resistance.
- Angle roof top slightly for rain run off. Overhangs also help protect contents from sun and rain.
With some basic carpentry skills and the right techniques, you can build your own customized outdoor storage cabinet for a fraction of the cost of buying one. Just be sure to use weather-resistant materials and construction methods meant to stand up to the outdoor elements. Your new outdoor cabinet will be a great addition providing both function and style!
Frequently Asked Questions About Building Outdoor Cabinets
Building your own outdoor cabinet is a very rewarding project. Let’s go over some of the most commonly asked questions to help make the process smoother.
What is the best wood to use for outdoor cabinetry?
Cedar, redwood, and pressure treated pine are all great options for outdoor use. They resist moisture, rot, and insects. For painted projects, exterior plywood/MDF with waterproof glue is suitable too.
What should I use to finish and protect the wood?
Use exterior primer and paint for the best protection on painted wood projects. For stained wood, apply exterior polyurethane or penetrating stains. Marine varnish also provides excellent water resistance.
How do I assemble the cabinet securely?
In addition to wood screws/nails, use exterior-rated wood glue when assembling the cabinet box, doors, and face frames. The combination creates a super strong bond.
What are the best hinges for outdoor cabinets?
Exterior cabinetry uses special hinges that resist corrosion. European style concealed hinges are commonly used. Make sure any hardware is rated for outdoor use.
How much overhang should I include on the roof?
An overhang of 1-2 feet is recommended. This helps shield the cabinet’s contents from rain. Overhangs also provide shade to reduce sun damage.
Should I build the cabinet off the ground?
Yes, to improve moisture resistance, build the cabinet on concrete pavers, gravel, or 4×4 runners. This allows for drainage and air flow underneath.
How can I prevent water from penetrating the wood?
Proper sealing and finishing is key. Use top quality exterior primer, paint, stains, or varnish on all exposed wood. Apply multiple coats including edges.
What kind of base should I build the cabinet on?
A level concrete slab or treated wood platform frame built on compacted gravel offers the most stable and long-lasting base.
Should I caulk around the doors and trim?
Caulking exterior joints with exterior grade silicone caulk helps prevent water intrusion into joints and seams. Reduce gaps where possible.
How can I make doors close tighter?
Install tight fitting doors and use adhesive foam weatherstripping tape or vinyl strips around the door openings to reduce exterior air gaps.
Final Thoughts
Building your own small outdoor cabinet allows you to create affordable, customized storage perfectly suited to your needs. With the right approach and high quality materials, your outdoor cabinet can last for many years while keeping your tools and accessories protected from the elements.
The key steps outlined in this guide walk you through constructing the basic cabinet structure before adding special interior storage features like shelves, racks, drawers or cubbies based on the intended use. Hinged doors keep the contents concealed and neatly organized.
Careful finishing and sealing ensures the wood retains its integrity and appearance despite moisture, pests, and UV exposure. Position the cabinet with adequate overhangs and up off ground level for improved weather resistance.
With some carpentry skills and the willingness to invest some time and effort, building an outdoor storage cabinet can be a fun weekend project that also adds function and visual appeal to your outdoor space. Your handmade cabinet will deliver satisfaction for years to come!