DIY Built In Lockers in 9 Simple Steps

Welcome to my blog! This will hopefully explain how Danny and I built lockers in our entryway. When we moved we missed having a “landing” spot in our entryway. We got so used to dropping our shoes, bags, and coats as soon as we walked in the door and we didn’t have that area at our new house. Soooo we built something to meet our needs. The space we built this in used to be a double door coat closet. We had a local contractor tear down the walk and fix the drywall where the closet once was located. We contemplated doing it ourselves, but I’m not that brave… yet 🙂

This project was custom to the spot we had available in our house. It can easily be adjusted to the space that you have. We also built into three walls, so if yours will not be attached on two side walls you may want to consider doing a few things differently.

Everything was purchased at Lowe’s except for the hooks which are linked below.

Materials Used:

  • 3/4 inch plywood
  • Kreg pocket hole screws
  • Screws
  • Nails
  • Poplar Trim (.5″ x 1.5″)
  • Crown molding
  • Wood glue
  • Shiplap
  • 1x10x6 pine
  • hooks
  • Sandpaper, wood filler, primer, paint

Tools Used:

  • Circular saw
  • Cutting guide
  • Kreg Jig
  • Drill
  • Oscillating Tool
  • Miter saw
  • Jig saw

Originally, I planned to add a full cut list but instead I will explain how we built it below with dimensions added.

Check out the video at the end to hear an explanation of each step!

1. Cut 5 panels from 3/4 inch plywood- 18″ tall x 20.5″ wide. Use a kreg jig to drill pocket holes in the panel to secure to the floor and also to secure the panels to the bench. Use an oscillating tool to cut out the baseboard so the panels can sit flush on the wall.

2. Cut bench 21″ x 84″. Use a kreg jig to drill pocket holes in the bench that line up with studs. Secure the bench to panels and to studs on the wall using pocket hole screws.

3. Add shiplap to back wall with nail gun. We used 11 boards approx 84″ long.

4. Cut 5 vertical panels approx 9.5″ x 51″. Originally, we were going to cut this section to be 48 inches tall, however 11 boards of shiplap is approx 51″ tall (didn’t want to rip a piece of shiplap, so 51″ was a go). Use a kreg jig to cut pocket holes to attach to bench. We used 1x10x6 for this part. If I did it again, I would have used plywood.

5. Cut horizontal board approx 9.5″ x 84″. Attach using screws from above into vertical divides and use pocket holes to secure to wall (into studs if/when possible).

6. Cut 5 panels for upper cubby holes approx 19″x10″. Use pocket hole screws to attach panels to verbal board below and back wall.

7. Cut last horizontal board for top. Approx 10″x84″. Attach board to dividing panels with screws from above and to wall using pocket holes (again into studs if/when possible).

8. Cut all trim to length needed and use a wood glue and nail gun to secure.

9. Fill all gaps and nail holes with wood filler. Sand. Prime. Paint.

I hope this was helpful. Find me on instagram @heysarahbarlowe and checkout my highlight- Built in Lockers!

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