Armoires are a popular element in home design and have an array of purposes. They are most often used in bedrooms as a clothing organizer but can also hold dishes and glassware in a dining room or sitting area. Making an armoire is a great alternative to purchasing one, because you can customize the size and inside detail. Does this Spark an idea?
Preparation
Choose the location for the armoire to determine the appropriate length, height, and width. Keep in mind that the armoire will have drawers or ,so allow for extra space in front of the piece. If you are planning to use the armoire in a dining room, consider making the piece of furniture long and slim along the wall instead of in a short, deep shape that protrudes more than about a foot from the wall. This construction technique will allow you to place and remove dishware without disturbing the dining table and guests in attendance. Armoires for use in the bedroom benefit from a deep design if you plan to include a clothing bar. Consider the amount of room a hanging shirt will occupy and develop a space that is at least one to two inches larger on each side. This design prevents shirts from wrinkling because they can hang freely.
Wood
Select your choice of wood for the homemade armoire. Standard planks of lumber are more suitable than plywood for a couple of reasons. Plywood is not as strong as lumber and therefore is not reliable for holding heavy objects such as dishware. This type of wood also has a grainy texture even when it has a coat of paint. Pick any standard wood planks depending on the design of your home. New homes or modern décor benefit from new pieces of wood, whereas older homes or country and outdoor style homes can consider using older pieces of wood, recycled from other uses. For instance, old barn board is a good choice for creating an antique or worn look.
Construction
Determine the style and shelving you want for the inside. Armoires that will house clothing should have a combination of shelves, drawers, and a clothes hanging bar. Consider using the top part of the armoire to have one side hold a bar and the other side a series of shelves. The bar is useful for hanging nice shirts whereas the shelves are good for folding sweaters and jeans. The bottom portion of the armoire is great for drawers. The drawers can hold socks and other small garments that benefit from a contained environment.
Armoires for glassware or other heavy objects need shelving only. Determine the height of most of the objects for the shelves so that you can install them in the proper location. If you will use the piece of furniture to hold a television, install one long, reinforced shelf to support the television. If there is room underneath the television for another shelf, consider using that for the cable box and other television features.
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