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This tower skips the lid entirely, which is the right call for the youngest kids in the house: no hinge to pinch fingers, no heavy panel to fall, just an open bin and two cubbies a toddler can reach into without help. The side panels carry the design's only real shaping — a cut profile traced from a pattern rather than measured fresh on each board, which is what keeps both sides actually matching.
Cut the first side panel carefully, sand the cut edge smooth, then use IT as the pattern for the second side rather than repeating the layout from scratch — copying a physical pattern is faster and more accurate than measuring the same curve twice. Elevating the bottom shelf on scrap 2x2 blocks while you attach the sides is a small trick worth keeping: it gives you a consistent 1-1/2" gap without measuring it at every corner.
The front apron across the cubbies is the piece to think hardest about before cutting: a 1x4 gives a shallow, book-friendly lip, but it's genuinely too shallow to contain rolling toys like Legos or die-cast cars — if the cubbies are for small loose items rather than books, size up to a 1x6 instead. The 1/4" plywood back isn't just a cosmetic panel; combined with the front aprons, it's what lets the whole case be glued and nailed rather than needing pocket-hole strength at every joint.
| Item | Qty |
|---|---|
| 1x12, 8 ftSides and bottom. | 1 each |
| 1x10, 8 ftShelf, cubby dividers, and front apron. | 1 each |
| 1x8, 3 ftTop. | 1 each |
| 1x4, 3 ft (or 1x6 for small loose toys)Cubby front lip — size up to 1x6 if the cubbies will hold Legos or cars rather than books. | 1 each |
| 1/4" plywood or hardboard, half sheetThe back — reinforces the whole case. | 1 each |
| Pocket hole screws, 1-1/4", or brad nails, 1-1/4" | 40 each |
| Wood glue | 4 oz |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sides1x12Cut the shaped profile on one, then use it as a pattern for the second. | 2 | 3/4" × 11 1/4" × 31 1/2" |
| Bottom1x12 | 1 | 3/4" × 11 1/4" × 33" |
| Top1x8Overhangs the sides and front by 1/2". | 1 | 3/4" × 7 1/4" × 35 1/2" |
| Middle shelf1x10 | 1 | 3/4" × 9 1/4" × 33" |
| Cubby dividers1x10Trace the side's cut profile onto these before cutting so they match the case's shape. | 2 | 3/4" × 9 1/4" × 12 1/4" |
| Back1/4" plywood | 1 | 1/4" × 32 1/4" × 34 1/2" |
| Front apron1x10 | 1 | 3/4" × 9 1/4" × 34 1/2" |
| Cubby front lip1x4A 1x6 gives a deeper lip if the cubbies need to contain small loose items rather than books. | 1 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 34 1/2" |
Buy 6 boards at 8 ft.
2 boards
1 board
1 board
1 board
1 board
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 →
Take the two side boards, mark the profile carefully, and cut with a circular saw — clamp the boards securely to a work surface and start the cut from the shorter end, which is easier than starting at a steep angle. Use the first cut side as a pattern to trace and cut the second, then sand both cut edges smooth now, while they're easy to reach.
If you're using pocket holes, drill 3/4" pocket holes on the insides of the tops now, before assembly — the two sides mirror each other.
Attach the bottom to the sides with pocket holes, or nails and glue — the project is reinforced enough by the back and front aprons that either approach holds up fine. Elevating the bottom on scrap 2x2 blocks while you attach the sides gives you a consistent 1-1/2" gap without measuring it fresh at each corner.
The top overhangs the sides and front by 1/2". Nail it to the sides with glue, or attach with 1-1/4" pocket hole screws if you drilled for them.
Hold each divider next to a side, trace the side's cut profile onto it, and cut to match with a circular saw. Set the dividers back inside the case next to the sides to use as spacers for positioning the middle shelf, then attach the shelf to the sides with pocket holes or nails and ample glue from outside.
Nail the dividers in place with an even spacing between them and the sides.
Attach the front apron and cubby front lip to the sides and shelves with 1-1/4" nails and glue.
Consider a kid's name cut into or painted on the front apron.
Nail the plywood back on with glue, sand the whole piece, and finish.
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