Shoe Shrine Shelves

Drill pocket holes along the top edge of the small dividers while you still have full access. Attach two dividers to the top shelf, working from the top down while the assembly is still open.

You won't be able to fit a drill in to pocket-hole the bottom edge of these dividers anymore. Apply glue, mark the joint locations, and attach with 2" finish nails or screws from the underside instead.

Add the next row of dividers — this time from the top while you still can, using pocket holes. Measure and mark 8" from the outside edges for each divider rather than eyeballing the spacing; small errors compound across several rows and become obvious near the top. Continue alternating dividers and shelves this way until you're out of small dividers.

Cap off the bottom of the cabinet the same way you attached the other shelves.

Measure and mark the side panels with the location of every shelf — mark to the tops of the shelves for consistency. Line the sides up with the shelves and attach with 2" finish nails and glue.

Attach the footer with 2" finish nails and wood glue. Use your measurements to draw a decorative pattern and cut it carefully with a jigsaw.

Adjust the whole cabinet for square, then attach the plywood back with 1-1/4" finish nails and wood glue.

For adjustable rather than fixed shelf spacing, mount shelves on shelf pins instead of nailing or pocket-holing them in place.