My DIY Entryway Built-In

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I previously built a cat litter box bench, but I had big dreams of a built-in unit in my entryway to create more storage out of this long space on my wall. I don’t have plans for this build because it was complicated and I’m not sure I’d even begin to know how to show someone how to build this themselves.

I started by drawing up a picture of what I wanted.

I made a list of everything I’d need from Home Depot and took Mia with me to help me load. She’s never thrilled about going to Home Depot with me! Ha!

The 3/4in plywood I picked up was too heavy for her so she recorded me figuring out how to load it on my own. She was able to help with the thin brown board, its flimsy and hard to do on my own.

I ripped all the plywood down with my circular saw, added pocket holes and labeled all the pieces.

I brought all the plywood inside to assemble so all I would have to do is stand it up when I was done and I wouldn’t need anyone to help me carry it inside.

I created a base for the unit out of 2x4s and pocket holes.

I removed the baseboards and connected the base to the wall with pocket holes into the studs.

I laid the cabinet unit back down to attach some blocks up on top to have something to attach the top trim to later.

This is when I stood the unit back up and put it on the base, and you will notice the look of worry on my face because it’s a lot bigger than I had imagined!

The last bench I had here housed the litter box, so I needed this to house it in place of the old bench. I made a cat door in the right side so she can get inside to use her litter box.

She can also climb up through the right cabinet up to her “catwalk” in between the cabinets. One thing I didn’t consider before building this unit was the beaded chandelier in the entryway is way too close to the built-ins. I will eventually move it further away from the built-in but It’s still in this same place for now.

I added a box to the top that will be made into cubbies with baskets.

Then I got to work on the bench area below that will have drawers. It’s just pieces of plywood attached together with pocket holes.

I used edge banding on the edges of the shelves so it looks more finished than a raw plywood edge. This is the only thing you will see me using an iron for.

Then it was time for the face frame. I made these out of 1x2s and attached them together with pocket holes. I used my brad nailer to nail it into the front of the plywood. This is the part that makes it start looking more finished!

I used 1×10 primed pine for the top, followed by a baseboard at the very top, and then a basecap moulding on top of that. I attached these on the blocks I had put on the top of the cabinet units with brad nails.

The 1×10 was huge so I bought a piece of decorative trim to break it up. I’ll paint that piece Accessible Beige like the baseboards to break up the white.

I built this unit on the wall that has the only outlet in the hallway so I drilled a hole in the side of the inside of the left cabinet to add an extension cord so it’s still useable. We can still access the outlet if we remove the right drawer.

We keep the Shark Vacuum plugged in in here.

Ellie enjoys playing with pipe cleaners in her new play area!

I added beadboard and caulked all the way around the bench area.

Check out how far this built-in has come!

I chose to build my own doors out of 1×3 primed pine and brown board. I connected the 1x3s with pocket holes on the back. I used this Kreg Jig to put holes in the doors for the hinges.

I attached the soft close hinges and put the door on the cabinet.

I loved the way they looked!

But then I got home from out of town a few days later and the middle had separated from the frame. I put the frames together and cut the brown board to the exact size of the middle and caulked it into place. I’ve done this before with smaller doors and it worked just fine, but I think I cut these a little too tight and on these bigger doors it didn’t hold.

I took them apart and made them again the correct way. I put grooves in the frame for the brown board to sit in.

I took this time to change the doors a bit. I added a center rail to the middle and added some trim pieces to the insides on the panel. I attached the trim with construction adhesive and caulked the edges.

I painted the built-in unit Alabaster by SW like my walls.

I built drawer boxes myself as well. These are the bottom mount drawer slides I used, they are pretty strong.

I used 1×4 common board for the bench top. I just added one at a time and nailed them in with my brad nailer.

I had some hardware I bought for the kitchen but never used it for the kitchen, but I loved it and was excited to use it on these doors! I used this Kreg Jig designed to help with cabinet hardware for installation.

Here’s a quick video explaining all the details.

And look how everything turned out! It may be bigger than I meant for it to be, but I just love how it looks and all the extra storage!

So much more storage! Although, I do need to organize it more!

What are your thoughts on built-ins? Do you love or hate them? Personally, I love building them!

Entryway links here.

Next Up, my DIY herringbone entryway table.