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Each end of this sideboard is its own small frame-and-panel assembly — 2x4 legs and panel-end caps surrounding inset 1x4 side panels — built inside-out, starting with the inset panel and working outward to the legs, so keep every back edge flush while the front side panel stays intentionally inset from the outer leg face. Two long 2x4 bottom supports run the full width underneath, doing nothing but keeping this sideboard from ever sagging in the middle over its long span.
The storage interior is genuinely a three-bay layout: plywood dividers split the case into a center drawer stack flanked by two door cabinets, and getting those dividers square before fitting the front trim matters, since the front trim has to land flush to the inside faces of the outer cabinets while overhanging the center bay evenly. Build the top from two edge-joined boards, and consider waiting to attach it until after the drawers are installed, since it's much easier to fit slides and boxes with the top off.
Doors use a proper stile-and-rail frame around a hobby-stock or thin-plywood center panel — real frame-and-panel construction, not a solid slab door — and the base gets a mitered moulding trim rather than a plain square edge. Drawers are built to fit their actual openings (remember most slides need about 1/2" clearance per side), installed inset 3/4" for the drawer face, with faces cut to fit and attached from inside with finish nails and glue after the drawer boxes are hung. The back panel is inset from the back edge for a cleaner reveal, and shelves go in last.
| Item | Qty |
|---|---|
| 2x4, 8 ft | 6 each |
| 2x6, 8 ft | 2 each |
| 1x4, 8 ft | 7 each |
| 1x2, 8 ft | 2 each |
| 1x6, 6 ft | 1 each |
| 1/4" thick x 3-1/2" hobby stock, or 1/4" plywood or paneling (door centers) | 1 each |
| 3/4" hardwood plywood, full sheet | 1 each |
| 1/4" plywood, full sheet (back panel) | 1 each |
| Base moulding, 4-1/4 in, 10 ft | 1 each |
| Drawer slides, 15 in, pair | 3 set |
| Pocket hole screws, 1-1/4" and 2-1/2" | 100 each |
| Brad nails, 1-1/4" and 2" | 120 each |
| Wood glue | 6 oz |
| Primer and paint, or stain and poly | 1 set |
| Drawer and door pulls | 5 each |
Overall cost: $$$. Lumber prices vary by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure we would only be pretending to know.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L |
|---|---|---|
| Legs2x4, 8 ft | 4 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 34 1/2" |
| Panel end caps2x4, 8 ft | 4 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 10 1/2" |
| Side panels1x4, 8 ft | 6 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 23 1/2" |
| Bottom supports2x4, 8 ft | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 75 1/2" |
| Bottom shelf3/4" hardwood plywood, full sheet | 1 | 3/4" × 16 3/4" × 75 1/2" |
| Cabinet bay floors3/4" hardwood plywood, full sheet | 2 | 3/4" × 16 3/4" × 30 1/4" |
| Center divider trim1x4, 8 ft | 2 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 18 1/8" |
| Front trim, top/bottom rails1x2, 8 ft | 2 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 75 1/2" |
| Front trim, center short1x2, 8 ft | 2 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 5 5/8" |
| Front trim, center sides1x2, 8 ft | 2 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 22 3/8" |
| Back cleats2x4, 8 ft | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 18" |
| Back framing rails2x4, 8 ft | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 77" |
| Top boards2x6, 8 ft | 2 | 1 1/2" × 5 1/2" × 77" |
| Door stiles1x4, 8 ft | 8 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 22 1/4" |
| Door rails and center panel frames1x4, 8 ft | 8 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 11" |
| Drawer box sides1x4, 8 ft | 2 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 16 3/4" |
| Drawer box front/back1x4, 8 ft | 6 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 15 1/2" |
| Baseboard, front1x4, 8 ftMeasure and cut to fit. | 2 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 33 3/4" |
| Baseboard, sides1x4, 8 ftMeasure and cut to fit. | 4 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 15 5/8" |
| Drawer faces1x6, 6 ftCut to fit each drawer opening. | 3 | 3/4" × 5 1/2" × 24" |
| Back panel1/4" plywood, full sheet (back panel) | 1 | 1/4" × 32" × 77" |
Buy 23 boards at 8 ft.
2 boards
6 boards
Starting with the inset 1x4 side panels and working outward to the legs, build both ends with 1-1/2" pocket holes and 2-1/2" pocket hole screws, hidden on the insides. Keep the backs flush, but leave the side panel inset from the outer leg face.
Attach the bottom supports with 1-1/2" pocket holes and 2-1/2" pocket hole screws from the back side to hide them.
Attach the plywood bay floors and bottom shelf carefully, keeping every joint square. Fit the center divider trim into the base, flush to the back.
Add the front trim, keeping it square and straight since the drawers need to fit against it. The remaining front trim sits flush to the inside of the side cabinets and overhangs the center cabinet.
Edge-join the two top boards. Attach the top now, or wait until after the drawers are installed for easier access.
Cut the baseboard trim, mitering the corners to fit the bottom. Nail on with glue.
Build the door frames from the stiles and rails, then attach the hobby stock or thin plywood centers to complete the doors.
Build the drawer boxes to fit your actual openings and slides, remembering most slides need about 1/2" clearance per side. Install with slides set in 3/4" for the drawer faces, then cut and attach the faces with 1-1/4" finish nails and glue.
Attach the back panel, inset from the back edge for a clean reveal, then add the interior shelves.
Sand all surfaces, apply primer and paint or stain and poly, and add the drawer and door pulls.
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Assumes 8 ft stock, a 1/8" saw kerf, and buying each part at its own width. Change the board size or kerf on the full board plan →