Project:
For over 3 years I've been wanting to get rid of my old dressers and build me a new wardrobe so I won't have to shove all my clothes into small drawers but instead fold them up neatly and put them on shelves. I guess it's a European thing, but I just find that I can see my clothes better and keep them nicer organized on shelves than in drawers.
Finally, now that Eliana was a bit over 3 months old I decided to tackle this project. I knew it was going to be a long one and between the feeds, naps and other family obligations I knew I'd only get a couple of hours per day in if I'm lucky.
The plan was to build 3 independent units, 36" wide by 7 feet tall, 21" deep with lots of shelves, a place for our TV in the middle unit and building in our little electric fire place we bought a few years ago for some extra ambiance.
Process:
Step 1: Plan the wardrobe
Step 2: Get the materials
Step 3: Cut all the parts to their proper size
Step 4: Fill all the holes with wood filler and prep for painting
Step 5: Paint the wood
Step 6: Put it all together
Step 7: Final touch-ups
Pictures:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT2hWobyDlwL13TRpSkQDq3eHK6Ki-LVRqU6Wrs-bVdN_IzUzDX3Uy4feSaQg8tIggcoJsHEYQemaCoNgd-j0L-RQnAmfdgDwtAuPl7PcwtE0cCHB-Xeta94l9BGUlkixsLUz72_5d_FPi/s1600/DSC01759.JPG) |
Old dresser my parents bought me in 1992! |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74qqoNO6GtCU0cuEIDn3A-4SAt-bw1lGDWJcwSfvi7BAZujM9IwNLlUsaX1CNZqyNvR6Y6Mx9z_YA-p8TwA5Cxvfb25VbArNRxlIGIAMWrutqLw3diQkZEjypY8vlM_dLyqOYPKDamWYy/s1600/DSC01763.JPG) |
Second dresser. This sucker went through about 4 moves and was still as solid (and heavy!) as when it was new |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZqV9GbG0dGhg20fzcbDDn-2k7hoHC1PG3orOzZuaaxQsIySfQZ2kqeNuqFjhbE65mcmVvdSDhyeMadhJwKo9stbnzQIA6Lxd9KnzJR7d3UN0rtk_ltMoUt8E37CJr1y-2fOuYw-nNjJp/s1600/01.jpg) |
The plan |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTMJWnD0mgFQWxiJlbL9mSkmMiHGGVEVRD4YppwZfS67i-oNuBZo9BtMNhSp-Tl1p2_rgFqqGRyx0zeqy26EjUzaVgoSCS1pOyuvvpMzDPO2ueBJFOmaU_gWtsHQiq1dVzD73eZ6vkHRoU/s1600/02.jpg) |
Some of the wooden shelves cut up |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8yc76aC3Hxh-PRBADf4uVUm1TE-fFl0ioF_1bh7oehRsFNdMRgB_WRPXkeja9cD-VxZ6hyphenhyphenz-F6B7_0xb5Ew34JtSgVBBR-PMRmLixLuvxq6ZkbKEeuLnZjSUfY0vRwUQpf210AilfPVD1/s1600/03.jpg) |
The sides to the wardrobes |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj972cwsooC99WfNlwHjn3jV9UrIXESrHIBSXdKfDcFql5zAVU_YFcjP4IsT2CI6kwmUC2fiFmmPbgYuCJ2GnKm-eytyb1Ib9al1r7RZlt1EZHr_OJrSWx-2HUx0DgfAmiF6ObSK1rDW5rC/s1600/04.jpg) |
The tops and bottoms |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0QCfCPkrknMs2PQL0DTG7rR3pxNeDz9wRBUni23cUxlSK5sLU341tra9luaNXgKezrhImogX-w6ha6hL6FoPDIfakqU3MH_n54eOoUxVOi0yHeOVFDTCSOq2fmuaFIlcHYf7GPwv-Bn8q/s1600/05.jpg) |
The 9 drawer fronts |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2sRau4mGLrKTG8qf9nto2U6VpV6pntK6Ptc2cvxXutSuAMCMnkNTJbQrqkUfDb2-klJXmmFtMMztunOo2owf7iF5w3k5GNaCusrN1nbOo9pv6prxS_HkX_V2UT1IPTr4hRWMoYXBpHp-5/s1600/06.jpg) |
A jig I used to space the dowels perfectly |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMb0ggkxZ7Z0ZZ7qrgx8X7CjuPQTxMjAxntWc4aD1fFVZNg76gnl8bEGCBOEKUeZgTQS5cEK_c1gbX1khwOi08qfT6HCLec1FTLeMBIKuzOHNlggZQpBlrVf18yLENJOS4S9HyDoFHCoAB/s1600/07.jpg) |
Putting it together to make sure it fits. I ended up inadvertently opening the garage door which squished the unit and damaged one shelf. I was actually quite impressed with how strong it was and that there was not more damage |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdoOQfORbxSPTqLaqg8MZqCiILI6KHD0HdsMndxsQPWhcMc1EF9-sSVLBCXEEk2FtLo232VyYz-s7OQ8EMXsd22VMxVhLNqi5DyCyQuVYW3q-JVPGX1hXBTGnSzdjQQ6Ea7xia177fpQTQ/s1600/08.jpg) |
Close-up of bottom of shelf |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhuD0XfpHJCgCl2xXCTrfdeeKbQkK3yE_N68VX0fcNIlEKw-OijZ3YBQMOuHl2DvPBaLEfQNKYKSxXy5kXe_k2trWERhRd9D24Q7BUHaFM6ok02t5xF67B8vHazSVPWPm3OgPS3msjq4lP/s1600/09.jpg) |
I had to create a temporary spray booth for painting the doors because it was raining outside |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAMylRTvhubjktd-KH4DoXlM3sm8Q1CkLBvbdxLPdtXpU_UhqjurWEYQwR_cFgSa3X3SwEm8YOrCwYfzHG9U8ZOH9EQZos4dRBj_AvnQWgdKWGnft7teDCiY2wsdbvgxx6tVmBHfrCruvr/s1600/10.jpg) |
My temporary paint booth worked perfectly |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZMh4i1kyCOMq7VKL215bg4IZDR7P5Ux6CHrqEheI7SjWRsOlntBqzZWQwQVSDCL5wD3k0Q0D99kPyz6W_2mFRzb4kNkDkT1IFIYcG9xCZK3_k3KH-Yn8UhH2WhHdYNlWtfx6p49proq-9/s1600/11.jpg) |
The doors after they were primed |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Hdz3cKIbu2MEjFx2ieKxUvyBRph-rV8Q4YPCs8E2BRSA7FiyyN2dPy4X4a_WZOqwMUo55fDRNHGeKzJjLU41SsfIqrH0P3US4iT00WhVjnqOytSg231OqLEJDncgj6zBYyf_ANvr0kal/s1600/12.jpg) |
The sides after they were painted |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_TGW6NimJCfr5dD7Hbha2ntSF2ybmAWfXNwYUejJmrFHE84u-OawSXeQWmqKpfOcfjJFewenzJXWGREFooiGaMnlQrd13LqlOQkaA8vj3t37UYAwkPWohuE9Z0sf4WQvMnyiY2wMdBAbY/s1600/13.jpg) |
Most of the parts after they were painted |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip90SNIzEcU-a5srjOM38HKaS6F7ZMKCeYFsJ_OAqWYdUipAYnWEn4XXDPRFAvFyWUYGAbqn86QayJ1tlkvDqfsQa4GejvbGqD2NEHsvfWPDqmMpizfR2vov3Avqqgt1rgIuUaMSBileVC/s1600/14.jpg) |
14 shelves, 9 drawer fronts, 6 side walls, 3 tops and 3 bottoms |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Mv35vk7WyH1qYZMjTNHJ89pEjOqu-PSADkm-HzBAUDq8MWwwDG0ddTzh0iGbAfwkAoN0dK1m1IjZdXbulbfJDRzchVTDzS3cIQi3aU51MqauHJ2ubfNrjxW07NtNx7SqMG2bFlE0vkp9/s1600/16.jpg) |
1/2" melamine for the drawers. This is for the last 5 drawers; I had already built 4 at that time |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7L-yolcNcisKJxUTtqOOGTLraPi6BZtjfC1wDDtIgpA6ztg2Z3M54LKmewopOYkGpdl-NvwhuoLdzdjx26Ur4lkull1WGREvMPu0Efk4iGVQuHtgzzLl37ues2e3mJ9csZu03khVnXhP/s1600/17.JPG) |
One unit once I've emptied the old dressers and my wife's walk-in closet of all my clothes |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4LbhtasAAkolT9wIjB3liVFdCBJuRNvLA7kB4lkZ3w7HOpDbViiGuOxrAAvkDp6w9wO1xoMLG9tWPu7nWQWpppkf2ow6xfX40Mu-4PMyU6uW_mjMFjQQz9khVad13OEkbw7uPY6rfE-la/s1600/18.JPG) |
Ta-daa... |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQiPPzm4VxKovLI4NbN4yaUBh8QN0TMU6_1fWWWIljPM_3jqPg8Zb6sQjOhuvEVXioipLBzZAViiMIdAyPAx9110J6Vu0AWFVnEaoqjzrlTVHgVUSBC7QJjmXeuPYfWXenNQbM_i6ceXaw/s1600/19.JPG) |
Just for size comparison. The 3 units are 9 feet wide, 7.5 feet high and 21" deep. They must weigh 500 lbs! |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7QKo1Vq7XUJj7xGM6BmEht8hhPgtOm8x3N7q9ao_VxTEw09I_3B-EKIP7WoeczlbmC6Jag851F1p1PRx1rlgmZVcz85Rp9Z48jv815xl0V7hzTEyWL_87F-M0VEXe194LBkwRkGrLBYct/s1600/20.JPG) |
Final shot of the 3 assembled wardrobe units |
Tools:
Table saw, Drill, welder for making the jig, measuring tape, square, air nailer, router, planer, iron for iron-on edging, compressor, paint gun, hammer, pencil, dremel
Materials:
MDF, dowels, 2x4s for corners, wood filler, screws, primer, paint, nails,
Cost (approximate):
5/8" MDF (7 sheets): $310
1/8" MDF for backs (3 sheets): $40
1/2" Melamine for drawers (3 sheets): $75
2x4s for corners: $30
2 gal primer: $40
2 gal paint: $80
3 packs of dowels for shelves: $15
8 sets of hinges: $50
24 door/drawer handles: $45
9 sets of drawer slides: $100
TOTAL: $785.90
Time:
Approximately 50hr
Savings:
Not sure what 3 custom-built units like these would cost but my guess is at least $750 per unit. So the total savings are about $1,750
Conclusion:
Love them! It was a LOT of work but definitely worth it now that they're done. They are so solid that I know we'll still have them in 20 years (if we still want them then)