Mudroom cubbies can be an extremely useful addition to your mudroom. These are short cupboard-like spaces for storing items. They give you a place to place your belongings when you enter your home. You use them for storing anything from car keys, shoes and hats to small umbrellas and letters.
Mudroom cubbies can also be used to store hanging coats and other types of outerwear, such as scarves. They have a simple design and are relatively easy to build.
In this blog, we look at process of how to build cubbies for a mudroom, so that you can add one to your home as well.
What You Will Need
You do not need a lot of resources to build mudroom cubbies. The items you will need to build cubbies for a mudroom can be divided into two categories. First you need the tools like miter saws, hammer, drill and screwdrivers etc. You also need materials like plyboards, glue, nails and paint etc. that will be used to build the mudroom cubbies.
Here is a list of items that you can buy online.
Plywood Sheets
Weld
Wood Glue
Sandpaper
Caulking Sealant
How to Build Cubbies for a Mudroom in 9 Steps
Step 1 – Create A Plan
The great thing about DIY projects is that you have a lot of freedom with regards to how you build them. You can build cubbies of any size and style to match your mudroom environment.
Most mudroom cubbies are cube-shaped and around 8 to 15 inches in size. You can keep them as small as a 2 x 2 panel of 4, or a larger 12 cubby panel. A 1 foot tall cubby space is suitable for keeping books or decoration pieces and will fit most of your needs.
Step 2 – Get the Materials
You will need a 4’ x 8’ plywood sheet that is 3/4 inch thick. A single sheet should be enough for a moderate sized cubby panel. You can simply cut it up into sizes that you require for the job.
Generally, plywood comes in three varieties. The first type is made from oak and birch etc. and has veneers on both sides. Another type come with veneer only on one side. Lastly you can also buy standard plywood without any veneer.
Plywood with veneer is slightly more expensive and better quality as it is sturdier. The choice is up to you.
Step 3 – Cut Plywood Sheets to Size
Once you have all the materials and a construction plan, you can move on to actual work. Measure and mark the plywood before you put them to the saw. You can use either a table saw or a miter saw for cutting the sheets.
There is no fixed formula for how you place the sheets to create the cubbies. For example you can use long, vertical sheets that will be fitted to slots at both ends and supported on horizontal board at equal distances in your cubby. You can also cut longer sheets to create vertical dividers and then place shorter boards over them.
Consider the following images.
Step 4 – Cuts Dados in the Boards
You will need to cut dados into the sheets that will be used to slide the edge of other boards into place. Use a router to cut them into the sheet.
This requires some precise calculation so test out the cutting depth of the routers on a spare piece of wood before you cut them into your boards.
Step 5 – Assemble the Cubby
Next, you will need to assemble the cubby. Start with the outer frame and join the pieces together with the help of nails, screws and glue. You may also need to use 90 degree wood clamps to get them right and square.
Once the outer frame is complete, stick glue into the dados and slide the dividing boards inside to create small compartments. Leave the assembled cubby to the side and move on to the wall bracket.
Step 6 – Attach a Bracket to the Wall
Next, you will need to attach a bracket to the wall that will be used to support the frame for the mudroom cubby. Use a drill and screws to secure the brackets firmly in place. The bracket should cover the entire base of the cubby to give it plenty of support.
Mark the spots where the frame of your cubby will be attached to the wall bracket. This is an important step so double check to ensure that you get the measurements right.
Step 7 – Add the Back Layer for the Cubby
If you want to create a back layer for the cubby, you should do that now before attaching the cubby frame. Use some glue against the back side of the panels and fix them in place before hammering them in with some nails. If you are using screws, make sure to drill holes on the sheets before you screw them in.
Step 8 – Install the Cubby Frame in Place
The next step is to mount the mudroom cubby on the wall. This will require some support so your bracket will be useful here.
Use both wood glue and nail to secure the cubby firmly in place gently hammer it to drive the nails into the wall.
Step 9 – Finishing Touch
Once the cubby is securely mounted on the wall, you should fill out all the holes with a caulking mixture to get a smooth finish. Apply the caulk to all corners and edges. This will give you professional finished and make it easier to paint over the mudroom cubby.
If you want to paint over the cubby, use a primer and then apply a paint that matches with your room.
Our Final Thoughts
In this blog, we covered how to build cubbies for a mudroom. The real work is involved in cutting the sheets right and putting them together to assemble the cubby for your mudroom.
The cubby can be created on your crafting table in full and then nailed and glued into the wall. A mudroom cubby can give your mudroom plenty of functional utility and also become a place for decorative pieces.
