Your Madrid renovation company will teach you everything you need to know about how to make a built-in wooden wardrobe

Why build a built-in wardrobe?

Built-in wardrobes are a very cheap reform, which helps you gain more storage space . They are easy to build, and a good project if you have DIY skills.

You will not spend more than 150 euros if you already have the basic tools. And it will take two to three days, so you can do it on the weekend.

A built-in wardrobe helps you make the most of space without spending too much money. You can make one for any space in your room, under the stairs or complete a closet you already have.

By doing it yourself you can customize the size, make it compatible with any piece of furniture and with the colors of the room where you are going to put it.

It is similar to the work of building a library at home. It allows you to develop manual skills and have furniture made by yourself, which will be a pride.

Materials to create a built-in wooden wardrobe

Before any reform plan, it is always important to hire expert professionals in what we want to change. In this case, a carpenter in Madrid is the right specialist to make a wooden wardrobe.

But if you consider yourself capable of carrying out this small project by yourself, here we indicate what are the materials you will need :

  • Wooden boards tailored to the space.
  • Wood Ribbons.
  • Wooden cribs.
  • Glue or other mounting adhesive.
  • Polyurethane foam.

In addition, you will need to have the following tools on hand:

  • Carpentry Sergeants.
  • Square clamps.
  • Screwdriver.
  • Flexometer or tape measure.
  • Bubble level.
  • Silicone and hot glue gun.
  • Electric drill.

Remember that you must protect your physical integrity by using basic safety equipment consisting of gloves and safety glasses. For the rest, it will suffice to put on closed and resistant shoes, thick jeans and a T-shirt with sleeves.

How to make a built-in wooden wardrobe?

The first thing you should do to start planning the construction of a built-in wooden wardrobe is to find the place where it will be installed. If you don’t have space in your room, look around your house. Do you have a spot available between two walls, under the stairs, or on a dividing wall? There you can do your project.

take the measurements

Once you choose the space where you will store your clothes or shoes, measure the height, width and depth of the space. Take measurements at several points, as it is always recommended to use the shortest distance as a reference.

It’s a good idea to plan ahead what you want to store in that closet so you know the number of shelves, drawers and hanging space.

Make a sketch

With the measurements in hand now make a drawing of the cabinet you want. Divide the space into different modules.

The standard lengths of the modules are 60, 80, 100 and 120 cm. So that you can make different combinations with the chests of drawers, the pendants and other shelves that you want to place.

Now divide the design into parts so that you can put the measurements on each board and cut them according to their location: the interior, the sides, the shelves, tall furniture, the trunk, etc.

For the external parts and internal compartments of the wardrobe, 18 mm MDF panels are recommended. While the doors serve 12 mm wide.

With this information go to the store to buy the wood already cut. With each individual measurement of each table you will need. Then if you need to make smaller cuts you can make them with the saw at home.

You will only need to sand the edges where you make cuts. Otherwise the wood will be in perfect condition.

Install the fence and frame

Now it is important that you put a fence in front to limit the outside of the closet. This will also serve as a reference for the doors, especially if they are sliding. Therefore, this fence must be the same width as the rails.

When you have the outer frame you can reinforce all the joints on the outside with screws, as well as the corner brackets. With the structure ready you can start with the internal compartments, such as shelves and drawers.

The built-in wardrobe will not need a floor, since it will serve as the same as the room, although if you wish you could place a rug.

Make sure that the frame is about 10 mm smaller than the limit of the ceiling.

You have to fix the frame to the floor or walls, this way it won’t move.

Place the shelves and drawers

Before starting to place the compartments it is important that you mark all the parts and panels, this will facilitate the work.

So that each segment of the furniture is tailored, it is recommended to work in the area where it will be installed. So that the shelves and boards are right in each space. This will save time, material and some money. So it is best to clear the room of furniture that could hinder the work. Cover the floor with a tarp or cardboard so it doesn’t damage it.

It is good practice to make grooves on the inside for the panels to run in, then you can screw them down. You have to make sure that everything is well aligned, for that use the spirit level.

If you are going to build the drawers or drawers follow these steps:

  1. Take the four previously cut pieces. Glue them down and then screw them down.
  2. Tie the runners to the sides and check that they fit snugly and are aligned by inserting them into the closet space where they go.
  3. Finish the drawer by placing the front panel, in this install the handle.

To make the shelves you need:

  1. You will need the sliced ​​breads, the side hardware.
  2. Place the panels on the hardware and insert them into the space where they go.

The bottom shelf is normally used for shoes, the distance from this will depend on how much you think you need. About 18 cm will be enough. Then you can put the next shelf or drawers, everything will depend on the design.

Another option: Build the cabinet by modules

You can make the wardrobe by modules, the same as a custom dressing room . This is necessary if it is a very large built-in wardrobe, you will also need to delimit the spaces to facilitate your work.

So that each segment of the furniture is tailored, it is recommended to work in the area where the wardrobe will be installed. So that the shelves and shelves are right in each space. This will save time, material and some money. So it is best to clear the room of furniture that could hinder the work. Cover the floor with a tarp or cardboard so it doesn’t damage it.

One each side of a module; that is, the base, the walls and the ceiling holding them with a square jack. Be sure to hold them tight and make a few not-so-deep holes with the drill. It will suffice that they are 3 mm points, in which they will later insert the screws.

Using an electric screwdriver or countersink bit insert the screws into the pre-marked holes. Make sure each nut is flush with the wood. Do it like this: first insert the end threads and then the ones that go towards the center. There should be a distance of 20 cm between each one.

Now, proceed to glue the back board, previously cut to the size of the module. Fit it to each corner of the drawer and check that it fits perfectly. Drill 3mm deep dimples again in each corner to make screwing in easier.

After all four corners are attached, continue to repeat the process around the edge of the backboard. Leave a distance of 20 cm between each screw.

Depending on the size of the module, lift it carefully and place it according to the final position it will occupy in the cabinet. Now, place it inside the wardrobe alcove.

Other modules

As you will notice, the procedure is the same in each segment. It will only vary depending on the size, shape and function of the module. Make as many partitions as you deem necessary for your new built-in wooden cabinet.

Create tall modules to place a tube and hang clothes, make others to store your suitcases, create a space to place shoes or make drawers to store delicate things. Everything is up to your imagination And you already have the base!

Finishing touches on built-in wooden wardrobe

In order for your built-in wardrobe to have a good finish, you must follow these recommendations:

Adjust the modules

After having inserted each module in the closet hole, it is necessary to adjust it. A practical way to fasten them is by attaching them to the front frame of the closet, the one that we said will serve as a guide for the sliding door rails. The other way is by attaching them to the wooden slats that are the walls of the closet.

What you will need to do is screw each module in different areas, such as the ends and some parts of the center.

To hold the cabinet segments together, use the carpenter’s clamps and reinforce the structure by screwing them together. Proceed in the same way that you have already learned: drill and then insert the nuts. Make sure that the size of these is in accordance with the thickness of the boards, so that it does not exceed the surface.

Make the front of the wardrobe

The final step of the closet structure is to install the doors. Sliding doors are usually installed because they are more practical and take up less space. However, you can also fit other fronts such as folding and swing doors. There is even the option of not placing doors.

Choose the ones that are according to the space you have and the available budget. In general, closet doors have a bearing on how the room looks, they differentiate what is a closet from the rest of the room and they give separation to that space. Although optically they reduce the size.

Add decorative details

In carpentry, the decorative details are, for example, the small plugs in the color of the wood used that serve to cover the head of the threads that were left exposed. This is the last thing that is placed, they are low-cost materials that you can take advantage of.

Tricks for a better structure of the built-in wooden wardrobe

To make each shelf of the furniture level , use wooden wedges to make the perfect frame .

If there is space between the walls of the cabinet and the sides of the modules, fill it with polyurethane foam. This will help you grip the piece of furniture better and prevent dirt from collecting there.

Deciding on the material is also a key point for a good structure, ideally it should be made of MDF, plywood or solid wood. Glass, although it looks good can be much more complicated.

To make the cabinet you will need a lot of screws, try to choose the ones that do not make a very big hole when fixing them. On the other hand, corner brackets will give it extra sturdiness, and you’ll need ones for the shelves as well.

Making a built-in wooden wardrobe is not a reform project that you cannot carry out yourself. It is a matter of dedicating time and patience. But, if you definitely prefer to have it done by a professional, you can ask for a quote, we will make one according to your requirements and with the best materials.