Fitted cabinets for lounge project

bp122 · 31 Oct 2024

Hello all

I'm trying to start designing a fitted cabinet in our lounge along the long wall (approx 7.5 m)

The idea is to have this around 40cm deep, desk height throughout with a desk at the end with no cabinet underneath for working from home.
In the middle there will be a fireplace integrated (the electronic one).

It will be made using sheet goods, likely MRMDF with laminate, cut to size (mostly)

The things that I don't know (among so many) are:

1. Is there a cabinet design book or build post on here I can refer to (equivalent to Chris Schwartz's book for workbenches) that will tell me things that I haven't thought of?

2. Do I build the carcass out of something and then use the laminated MDF on top or use the sheet goods for both structure and aesthetics all in one?

3. It's a carpeted floor with relatively good wooden flooring underneath. Do I need to look into cutting the carpet until the toe kick or build over the carpet (everything about the latter seems wrong somehow) or are there other options that I don't know.

4. I do have a festool domino which I rescued from my redundancy clear out, is that the right tool to build the cabinets or is there a better tool for the job (just screws or pocket hole joinery)

5. To secure the cabinet properly, if the cabinet is resting on the base, do I need to also secure it to the wall using metal or wood french cleats? If yes, how does it work? - is the base the primary support or the cleats. If it's the latter, how do you adjust the base?

6. What to make the base out of? Solid timber (2x4 ish) or use the sheet goods?

7. Is there anything that falls under "I don't know what I don't know" category and haven't thought to ask or consider?

Any help or guidance would be really appreciated.

meccarroll · 31 Oct 2024

This might not be what you want to hear but I would suggest with so many questions about building a cabinet you might also think about subscribing to a cabinet making course before you attempt the build.

Success in making cabinets only begins once you have gained the necessary skill to sucessfuly design and make them.

Ollie78 · 31 Oct 2024

There are many ways to tackle this type of project.

My starting point is normally a few sketches then a drawing to scale, for the scale drawing it is handy to use Fusion 360 or another CAD system. this way you can adapt things as you go. Often stuff sketched will look different when to the proper scale and need to be tweeked to look right

I would say build a solid platform base and get this strong and level, the cabinets can be made in sections from sheet material or framed and skinned over.

The design depends on many factors, what will be stored in there ? do you need drawers ? etc. etc

It will need securing to the wall certainly, just screws and plugs are fine hidden somewhere. Brackets for kitchen wall units can be handy and have some adjustment etc.

Random things.
Don`t make any single componet too big, it must be manouvered safely into position.
Don`t use cheap hardware, it is never worth it in the end.

It may be more economical to buy the laminated mdf or whatever you decide to use pre cut and or edged, it will be cnc cut with no chip out etc. you will have to do the maths.
Shelves of plain mdf or laminate will sag, even over fairly short runs. A solid wood lipping to the front will add strength, or you can inset metal rods or things like that.

Be careful not to make anything a super tight fit within any alcove or between walls and ceiling, they won`t be square. If you make the carcasses a bit smaller then add a face frame scribed to the walls/ ceiling this can help.

Ollie

Doug71 · 31 Oct 2024

Alastair Johnsons videos are a good source of advice and ideas for cabinets etc.

https://www.youtube.com/@Alastair_Freebird/videos

bp122 · 31 Oct 2024

meccarroll said:
This might not be what you want to hear but I would suggest with so many questions about building a cabinet you might also think about subscribing to a cabinet making course before you attempt the build.

Success in making cabinets only begins once you have gained the necessary skill to sucessfuly design and make them.

You're absolutely right, I don't want to hear it

. Just kidding.

I don't have an option though as SWMBO has ordered no more procrastination on this as it's nearing a year since I foolishly floated the idea. So I need to get on with it somehow.

bp122 · 1 Nov 2024

Thanks for a comprehensive response, @Ollie78 . Exactly what I was after.

Ollie78 said:
There are many ways to tackle this type of project.

My starting point is normally a few sketches then a drawing to scale, for the scale drawing it is handy to use Fusion 360 or another CAD system. this way you can adapt things as you go. Often stuff sketched will look different when to the proper scale and need to be tweeked to look right

I am going to use CAD (which is the easiest part for me) to model the bits and the room first and then model my concept. But wondered how to get the specifics right.

Ollie78 said:
I would say build a solid platform base and get this strong and level, the cabinets can be made in sections from sheet material or framed and skinned over.

When you say would platform, do you mean out of solid wood or just a strong platform regardless of materials?

Ollie78 said:
The design depends on many factors, what will be stored in there ? do you need drawers ? etc. etc

Trying to avoid drawers and go for cabinets. These will keep everything from toys (largely) to camera equipment, a computer, fancy dishes, small ornaments, cushions - you name it!

Ollie78 said:
It will need securing to the wall certainly, just screws and plugs are fine hidden somewhere. Brackets for kitchen wall units can be handy and have some adjustment etc.

Will certainly look into the adjustable kit hen cabinet brackets you speak of.

Ollie78 said:
Random things.
Don`t make any single componet too big, it must be manouvered safely into position.
Don`t use cheap hardware, it is never worth it in the end.

Yes. The idea was to have them in two door sections as far as possible with the exception of one section under the TV where there is one draw for games consoles and then a fireplace. And absolutely noted your point about the hardware. Any suggestions on places to buy quality stuff?

Ollie78 said:
It may be more economical to buy the laminated mdf or whatever you decide to use pre cut and or edged, it will be cnc cut with no chip out etc. you will have to do the maths.

These are cut by a company a mate of mine works in, so getting a bit of a discount. I also agree about not wanting to cut everything myself out at least to avoid it as much as possible.

Ollie78 said:
Shelves of plain mdf or laminate will sag, even over fairly short runs. A solid wood lipping to the front will add strength, or you can inset metal rods or things like that.

I'll need to see what metal options are there, failing which the wood lip it is.

Ollie78 said:
Be careful not to make anything a super tight fit within any alcove or between walls and ceiling, they won`t be square.

Absolutely, I couldn't find a single right angle in the lounge! So, the plan is to stretch the cabinets from wall to wall (so to speak) with a gap. On the LHS there is the computer area, so only top but no cabinet at the bottom. The right hand side will have some open shelves and corner taken out to blend in