Dress-Up Clothes Storage

Predrill and countersink pilot holes along the long edges of the bottom. Glue the bottom edges of the box sides and screw the bottom to them with 2" screws. This open box is the base the whole unit stands on, so get it square before the glue grabs.

Make a paper pattern by folding a square of paper in half and cutting an arch — folding guarantees the two halves are symmetric. Trace it onto both side boards and cut just outside the line with a jigsaw. Then clamp the two boards together and sand with coarse paper until the arches match exactly. If they still don't, round the edges over so the eye can't catch the mismatch.

With the arches done, predrill along the bottom and side edges (center the holes ~3/8" in), glue the box ends, and screw the sides onto the storage box keeping the outside edges flush.

Measure down about 3" from the top and to the center of each side, and predrill pilot holes. A clean trick: thread each screw through until just the tip pokes out the inside face, line that tip up with the center of the dowel end, add glue, and drive it home. Repeat on the other side. A glued-and-screwed rod braces the top and stops the sides from spreading — a rod that just drops into sockets does neither.

Screw the 2" casters to the bottom of the storage box if you want it to roll, and finish to taste — paint holds up best against small hands. Add adhesive letters or a name if it's a gift. Confirm it rolls level and doesn't rack before it goes into service.