Schoolhouse Wall Hutch

Start with the cubby section (or add dividers last if you prefer). Nails and glue are fine here. Draw layout lines and line the dividers up all the way down — if the cubbies aren't square, the drawers built to fit them won't fit either.

Attach the sides to the cubby shelf section, then the top shelf. Keep the carcass square.

Fasten the 1x2 cleats to the tops of both the back and front. Then attach the beadboard back to the sides, top, bottom, dividers, and any fixed shelves — the back squares the whole hutch.

If you want the schoolhouse look, miter and attach small crown moulding to the top with finish nails and glue. Build the drawers from 1/2" plywood to the exact measurements of your dividers, leaving a 1/8" gap on all sides — plywood keeps them light and easy to pull.

Sand and finish the hutch. Hang it by driving 2-1/2" screws through the 1x2 top cleat into a wall stud — this holds weight, so it must catch framing, not just drywall. Level it before the final screws.