Looking for a way to add a ton of functional, yet aesthetically pleasing storage to a large empty wall in your home? Then you will love this DIY Wall of Cabinets tutorial. This project has been on my list for a while and I am so glad that I finally knocked it out. Read on to see how I was able to create this DIY Wall of Cabinets in basement in just four days. One of the things I love most is hacking unfinished cabinets to suit whatever need that I may have. You can see where I did it in my living room and my office.
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Supplies Needed for DIY Wall of Cabinets:
My space for this wall is approx 89 inches from wall to wall. I knew that I wanted the cabinets to have a built in look upon completion so the cabinets used as to take up most of that space. to complete the look, I used:
Four 30-in W x 30-in H x 12-in deep unfinished upper wall cabinets
Two 24-in W x 30-in H x 12-in deep unfinished upper cabinets
Decorative fluted door casing (used for trim)
Paint color of Choice (My color is Intrigue, color matched to Behr Cabinet Paint and trim enamel)
Foam Paint Brush for smoothest finish
Wooster Paint Brush for trim and tight spaces
How to Build DIY Wall of Cabinets:
To build this DIY Wall of Cabinets, first start by measuring your entire wall space where the cabinets will go. Measure top to bottom, left to right. This will determine how many cabinets you need to fill the space. Remember it needs to be as closed in as possible, so that using the lattice strips will close any necessary gaps.
This is a sketch that I used to help me with my direction.
Once your space is measured, using 2×4’s, build a base for the cabinets. My bases were built to cover the entire span of the wall and depth of the cabinets, so approx 89 inches long, and approx 12 inches deep.
Bases were attached together using my fav wood screws (literally the only ones I use because they screw in like butter). Screw the base into the studs on the back of the wall.
Once the base is built and attached add each cabinet on top of base. You can screw the cabinets into the base, or screw the cabinets into the wall studs. I chose to screw into the base.
After each base is built, then the process is pretty much rinse and repeat. After each row of cabinets, then another base is built.
Keep going until the desired height is met. I wanted mine to get as close to the ceiling as possible.
Decorative way of Covering all of the 2×4’s and Gaps:
Once my DIY Wall of Cabinets was built, the 2×4’s and gaps had to be covered for a finished look. To achieve a more finished look, I covered the bottom 2×4 base with 2 inch baseboard trim to match the aligning baseboards.
To cover additional, I used 2 inch lattice strips. I love using these strips because they are thin and flexible.
I also used fluted door casing to cover the remaining 2×4’s. When building custom pieces, you have to think outside of the box. This fluted casing was definitely outside of the box.
After everything is installed and all seams are caulked, then its time to paint. DO NOT skip the caulk step. That is what makes everything come together and look seamless. Allow caulk to dry overnight before painting.
For the opening at the top, I added a plywood shelf cut to the length of the space and used a piece of lattice to trip the front for a more finished look.
Painting the DIY Wall of Cabinets and Hardware:
To paint, use a foam roller, and 2 inch paint brush to get a smooth finish. I highly recommend using the Behr Cabinet, Trim Enamel for this project. Goes on super smooth and dries like a think coating without brush strokes.
Once the paint is done and dried, add hardware of your choice. I also added these storage baskets to the tops.
FYI these images show a little bluer than the actual color. The image at the top is more of the true color. Lighting is something else!
Then voila, your cabinets are done. Sit back and enjoy all of your hard work.
Will you be trying this project? Thanks so much fo stopping by! Until next time.
Shop everything you need for this project below!
Did you remove the baseboard?
no I did not.
This is stunning!
Thank you!
This is GORGEOUS! I love how you creatively tackled this space. Looks great!
Thank you!
AMAZING! BEAUTIFUL!!
Thanks!
I’m inspired! I need more storage but want a bar top instead of cabinets to the ceiling but you’ve shown me the way! Wish you had a YouTube video 🙂
Hi Keysha, so glad you found this helpful! Great idea. 🙂
Hi Erin!! It turned out stunning! Do you mind sharing your cabinet paint color? Thank you 🙂
Hi Audrey, I used Intrigue (color matched to Behr Cabinet Paint and trim enamel).
Thank you! Beautifully done. You have inspired me to do the same thing for my basement
Thanks, Taneisha!
Where did you get the unfinished cabinets from and how much did they cost?
Hi DeeDee, here are the links for the cabinets: 30-in W x 30-in H x 12-in deep unfinished upper wall cabinets (I used 4), 24-in W x 30-in H x 12-in deep unfinished upper cabinets (I used 2), and smaller cabinets for top (I used 2). Hope this helps!
Thank you! Beautiful, and just the inspiration I needed!
Thanks, Lisa!
Beautiful I love it . I did an diy kitchen island using a sink cabinet love. Now I’m going to do buffets with 3 wall cabinets.
Hi Gwendolyn, thank you! Love this idea.
The pure amount of storage is giving me heart palpitations! I am so jelly. Fantastic Job!
Thank you!
This is beautiful! Exactly what I wanna do in my laundry room. Thank you for sharing.
Hi Courtney, so glad you liked the project!
I love it!!! I’ve been thinking of doing something similar. This gives me great ideas. So, just what kind are you “fav” screws? You know, the ones that go in like butter?
Hi Kathleen, so glad you found this helpful! Here are the wood screws that I use.
Beautiful!! This is exactly what i want to do on my DR wall. thank you for posting.
You are welcome!
I knew there would be a hack somewhere – you nailed it. PERFECT and BEAUTIFUL. Thank you for the instructions too!
So glad you found this helpful!
What a beautiful, simplistic enhancement.
Your tutorial was well explained and you made it easy to understand.
I’m just beginning a refresh on my basement. This cabinet wall is just what I need.
Thank you for the inspiration!
Hi Jeanine, thank you! So glad you found this helpful.
Brilliant! Thank you for sharing your steps. I will emulate to some degree to fit my wall. Woot, woot! ;D
Hi Shelley, so glad you found this helpful. Good luck on your project!
I’ve been looking to do built in and I’ve been saving tutorials on my Pinterest board. I have to admit your instructions & images were the best. And it looks beautiful! Thank you!
thank you!
I tell you we women are doing amazing jobs on DIY’s when we put hard work into our homes it makes us proud and move on to the next good work
thank you!
You did a fantastic job, they look very professional. Where did you get your cabinets?
Thanks! everything is linked in the post.
Stunning!! I love it, you did an amazing job❤️
Thanks, Scherie!
looks gorgeous! you’re giving me confidence to tackle my own project! thank you!!
I didn’t see the link for the wood screws that “go in like butter” though?
Hi Michelle, so glad you found this helpful! Here are the wood screws that I use.
Two snaps and a twist! I’m saving this for my “to do” list. Amazing and I love the color you chose.
Thank you, Jennifer!
You inspire me to try. Thank you!
LOVE THIS! I have been thinking of doing the same thing. I have wire shelving units for storage that just look so unsightly. This would be perfect to hide everything and be pleasing to the eye. What is the name of the paint color?
Hi Alena, so glad you liked the project. The paint color that I used is Intrigue (color matched to Behr Cabinet Paint and trim enamel).
Gorgeous and useful. Nicely done.
Thanks, Lynn!