Cat Litter Box Cabinet

Dimensions

Cut list

Tools you'll need

• ✓

  Measuring Tape (5m or longer)

  Used for measuring each component.

• ✓

  Pencil and Carpenter's Square

  For marking lines and checking right angles.

• ✓

  Saw

  Using the home center's cutting service is recommended.

• ✓

  Electric Driver

  Impact driver improves work efficiency.

• ✓

  Sandpaper

  Prepare two types: #120 and #240.

• ✓

  Level

  Essential for checking horizontality during assembly.

• ✓

  Clamps (2 or more)

  Used for temporary fixing during joining.

• ✓

  Brush and Paint Tray

  Used for oil and varnish finishing.

Materials

Build steps

1. 1

   Final Check of Materials and Tools

   ≈ 15 min

   Prepare two side boards of SPF lumber 1x10 (19×500×700mm), six shelf boards (19×500×600mm), one 4mm plywood back board (600×700mm), 16 coarse-thread screws 38mm, and four 50mm L-shaped metal brackets. Tools include electric driver, saw, measuring tape, carpenter's square, #120 and #240 sandpaper, level, two F-type clamps, brush and paint tray, and a stapler or fine nails.

   Measure

   W 600 mm

   MeasureSTEP 1 / 20

   Tip

   • SPF lumber tends to warp. Check each piece visually at purchase; select boards with warp within 1mm.
   • L-shaped brackets and screws are crucial for 'tip-over prevention'. Never omit them.

   Watch out

   • Check SPF lumber for warp, cracks, and knots individually before purchase. Using boards warped over 1mm causes warped shelves.
   • 4mm plywood back boards are thin and prone to break during movement. Stand them upright immediately after cutting.
2. 2

   Securing the Work Space

   ≈ 10 min

   Secure a place to work standing up a 700mm-high bookshelf. Ceiling height at least 2200mm and floor space about 1500×1200mm is comfortable. Lay a blue sheet and support long materials on two sawhorses.

   Inspect

   No wobble ✓

   InspectSTEP 2 / 20

   Tip

   • Assemble the bookshelf lying on the floor; stand it up at the final step. Even a small room allows assembly this way.

   Watch out

   • One person cannot safely stand the assembled bookshelf alone; two people are safer.
   • If ceiling height is below 2000mm, the bookshelf may hit the ceiling when standing up. Check beforehand.
3. 3

   Creating the Cut List and Requesting Cutting

   ≈ 20 min

   Submit the cut list to the home center: 2 side boards at 700mm length, 6 shelf boards at 600mm, and one back board 600×700mm. If doing it yourself, support long pieces (700mm) on two sawhorses and make crosscuts. Aim for cut errors ±2mm or less.

   Cut

   Use the in-store cut service

   CutSTEP 3 / 20

   Tip

   • Cutting fees are 30–50 yen per cut; requesting full cutting costs about 1000 yen but reduces time from 30 minutes to immediate.
   • Since shelf boards are identical size, bundling them for one cut produces highest accuracy.

   Watch out

   • SPF lumber 19mm thick warps easily even with straight cuts. Use a guide to cut straight.
   • 4mm plywood is soft and will warp during cutting if unsupported underneath.
4. 4

   Sanding All Components (#120 → #240)

   ≈ 40 min

   Sand all components starting with #120, then finish with #240 sandpaper. Pay particular attention to shelf support faces on side boards, shelf board top and bottom surfaces, and cut edges. Rounding off shelf edges that will be touched makes handling easier. Remove all wood dust thoroughly with a vacuum afterward.

   Sand

   #120

   SandSTEP 4 / 20

   Tip

   • A smooth shelf board surface allows books to slide in and out smoothly.
   • Cut edges tend to raise fibers; start sanding there carefully with #120.

   Watch out

   • SPF lumber is soft; avoid over-sanding which alters dimensions. Use #120 for main sanding and #240 only for finishing.
   • Rounding edges excessively looks clumsy; keep edge radius around 2mm.
5. 5

   Marking Shelf Positions on Side Boards

   ≈ 15 min

   Place the two side boards together and mark shelf positions for six shelves with a pencil. Shelf spacing is generally 300mm per shelf from bottom upwards (total 1800mm), or customize upper shelves with wider spacing for decorative items as designed. Mark both side boards simultaneously to align shelf positions exactly.

   Mark a line

   Use a try square

   MarkSTEP 5 / 20

   Tip

   • Clamp the two side boards together for simultaneous marking to ensure identical shelf positions.
   • Shelf spacings based on common book heights: A4 (297mm), A5 (210mm), and pocket-size (150mm) aid storage usability.

   Watch out

   • If shelf positions differ between sides, shelves will fit crookedly; simultaneous marking is essential.
   • Not accounting for the 19mm shelf board thickness in spacing calculation leads to actual narrow spacing.
6. 6

   Preparing Pilot Holes

   ≈ 20 min

   Drill φ3mm pilot holes at the marked positions. Drill from the outside of the side board toward the shelf board edge, piercing the side board (19mm) and entering the shelf board by 10mm for a total depth of 29mm. Use masking tape on the drill bit as a depth stop.

   Drill a hole

   φ3mm

   DrillSTEP 6 / 20

   Tip

   • A φ3mm pilot hole is about 70% of the 4.2mm major diameter of the 38mm coarse-thread screws, preventing wood splitting.
   • Each shelf board requires 2 pilot holes on each side board; 6 shelves × 4 holes = 24 in total. Double-check no holes are missed.

   Watch out

   • Insufficient pilot hole depth prevents screws from fully entering; drill slightly deeper for safety.
   • Avoid drilling through the shelf board entirely by using tape depth marking to prevent damage.
7. 7

   Temporarily Fixing Shelf Boards to One Side Board

   ≈ 20 min

   Lay one side board flat and stand the six shelf boards upright at the marked positions. Temporarily clamp each shelf board using F-type clamps. Use a carpenter's square to confirm that the side and shelf boards form right angles; where the square can't fit, confirm visually.

   Build the frame

   Check for square

   AssembleSTEP 7 / 20

   Tip

   • Install shelf boards starting from the bottom upward for stability.
   • One clamp per shelf board is ideal (6 total); if only 2 clamps are available, proceed sequentially.

   Watch out

   • If fixed at non-right angles, the whole box will be skewed like a parallelogram. Always check right angles.
   • If shelf boards protrude beyond the side board edges, the back board won't attach properly later.
8. 8

   Screwing One Side Board

   ≈ 15 min

   Drive 38mm coarse-thread screws through pilot holes from the outside of the side board into the shelf board edges. Use two screws per shelf board per position, 12 in total for 6 shelves. Screw heads should be flush or recessed up to 0.5mm into the side board. Use medium torque on the impact driver; final tightening done by hand with a quarter turn.

   Drive screws

   コーススレッド 51mm

   ScrewSTEP 8 / 20

   Tip

   • Offset the two screws slightly up and down to increase pull-out strength.
   • If screw heads are visible, optionally fill holes later with wood dowel plugs.

   Watch out

   • Over-tightening screws into 19mm SPF lumber edges causes cracks; use medium torque.
   • If screws go in crooked and protrude inside, remove, fill holes with wood filler, and re-drill and screw in a different spot.
9. 9

   Preparing to Attach the Opposite Side Board

   ≈ 15 min

   Stand the partially assembled bookshelf and fit the other side board on the opposite side. Align the far ends of shelf boards with pencil lines on the side board, then clamp temporarily. Confirm the whole assembly is vertical and squared.

   Build the frame

   Check for square

   AssembleSTEP 9 / 20

   Tip

   • Two-person work is recommended: one to hold the assembly steady, one to clamp.
   • Markings on the opposite side board were done initially; do not remark now.

   Watch out

   • Working alone risks dropping shelf boards; always use two people or brace the assembly against a wall.
10. 10

    Screwing the Opposite Side Board

    ≈ 15 min

    Drive 38mm coarse-thread screws from outside of the opposite side board through pilot holes into shelf boards, two per shelf position, 12 screws total. This finishes fixing the side boards and six shelf boards, completing the main bookshelf structure.

    Drive screws

    コーススレッド 51mm

    ScrewSTEP 10 / 20

    Tip

    • After fixing both sides, use a level to check all shelf boards for horizontal alignment; loosen and adjust if any shelf is tilted.

    Watch out

    • Screwing both sides simultaneously causes deformation; complete one side then the other sequentially.
11. 11

    Checking Overall Level and Diagonal Measurements

    ≈ 15 min

    Place the assembled frame on the floor. Use a level to check each shelf board's horizontality. Measure the diagonals (left top to right bottom and right top to left bottom) with a measuring tape; the difference must be within 5mm. If distorted, loosen clamps, adjust, and retighten with extra screws.

    Check level

    Level ✓

    LevelSTEP 11 / 20

    Tip

    • Diagonal discrepancy over 5mm indicates a parallelogram distortion. Correct before attaching back board.
    • The back board strengthens rigidity; fix distortions before its installation.

    Watch out

    • Shelf boards sagging in the center worsens under book weight. Designed shelf depth 600mm is acceptable; over 1000mm requires reinforcement considerations.
12. 12

    Preparing to Attach the Back Board

    ≈ 10 min

    Place the 4mm plywood back board (600×700mm) on the rear of the bookshelf. Align corners and confirm diagonals match the bookshelf, enabling final correction of distortion. Once positioned, lightly tape the back board to the structure with masking tape.

    Build the frame

    Check for square

    AssembleSTEP 12 / 20

    Tip

    • The back board is critical for suppressing distortion. Mounting it slightly off-angle reduces rigidity.
    • The thin 4mm plywood can be attached easily with a stapler; if using fine nails, drill pilot holes first.

    Watch out

    • If the back board is larger than the bookshelf, trim excess edges; if smaller, leave uniform 5mm gaps around edges.
13. 13

    Stapling the Back Board

    ≈ 20 min

    Attach the back board to side and shelf boards with a stapler (about 15mm staples) or fine nails. Space staples/nails every 100-150mm around the perimeter and along shelf board lines. Start from corners and move diagonally to minimize distortion.

    Drive screws

    コーススレッド 51mm

    ScrewSTEP 13 / 20

    Tip

    • A stapler costs 1500-2500 yen at home centers and is faster than nails; worth investing for bookshelf build.
    • Mark shelf board positions with pencil on the back board before stapling to avoid missing fixings.

    Watch out

    • Staples protruding inside the bookshelf may damage books; 15mm staples are suitable for 19mm thickness.
    • Stapling only the four edges without securing shelf line positions allows warping where the back board may lift.
14. 14

    Preparing to Attach L-shaped Brackets

    ≈ 15 min

    Prepare four 50mm L-shaped brackets: two on each side at the top rear. One side of each bracket attaches to the bookshelf top edge, the other side will fix to the wall. Use a stud finder to locate wall studs.

    Fix to the wall

    Anchor to studs

    Wall mountSTEP 14 / 20

    Tip

    • Cheap stud finders from 100-yen shops are inaccurate; home center models (1000-2000 yen) are recommended.
    • Studs are typically spaced at 455mm intervals; once one is found, estimate adjacent stud locations.

    Watch out

    • Fixing to drywall alone provides no tip-over protection; always fasten into studs.
    • If bracket position does not align with studs, shift brackets left or right to center screws on studs.
15. 15

    Attaching L-shaped Brackets to Bookshelf

    ≈ 10 min

    Attach the four L-shaped brackets to the outside upper side boards of the bookshelf using 38mm coarse-thread screws at the brackets' screw holes. Fix brackets flush or within 5mm of the side board surface, oriented so bracket bend faces wall and screw holes face bookshelf side. Brackets should protrude vertically to the wall side.

    Drive screws

    コーススレッド 51mm

    ScrewSTEP 15 / 20

    Tip

    • Ensure bracket orientation is correct: bending towards wall, screw holes towards bookshelf.

    Watch out

    • If brackets are attached crookedly, gaps form between bracket and wall upon fixing. Use a level to confirm alignment.
16. 16

    Installing Bookshelf and Securing to Wall

    ≈ 20 min

    Move the bookshelf to its location (two people recommended). Position it flush to wall. Drive 45-50mm coarse-thread screws (included or separately bought) from bracket holes into wall studs for all four brackets to complete tip-over prevention.

    Fix to the wall

    Anchor to studs

    Wall mountSTEP 16 / 20

    Tip

    • Wall screws should be longer than 38mm to reach studs reliably, 45-50mm is appropriate.
    • Wall fastening is critical; do not neglect to avoid injury or death from tipping during earthquakes.

    Watch out

    • Drywall anchors alone are insufficiently strong. Fasten only into studs.
    • If gaps larger than 5mm exist between wall and bookshelf, shim before screwing; leaving gaps reduces bracket effectiveness.
17. 17

    Cleaning Before Painting

    ≈ 10 min

    Clean the whole bookshelf using a vacuum and dry cloth to remove all wood dust, oil, and fingerprints. Cleaning quality greatly affects finish appearance. For the plywood back board, pre-masking may be done optionally due to rapid paint absorption.

    Inspect

    No wobble ✓

    InspectSTEP 17 / 20

    Tip

    • Before painting, wipe with a dry cloth, then water, then dry again for perfect cleanliness.

    Watch out

    • Remaining wood dust causes rough painted surfaces; check under lighting.
18. 18

    First Coat of Oil Stain

    ≈ 40 min

    Brush oil stain (such as Watco Oil or Kinura) onto all surfaces: side board exterior, shelf board tops, shelf board undersides, then back board. After 10-15 minutes, wipe off excess with a dry cloth. Use about 60-70% of total oil quantity on this first coat as absorption is high.

    Paint

    Watco oil / varnish

    PaintSTEP 18 / 20

    Tip

    • Oil stain application procedure: brush on, wait 10-15 minutes, then wipe off excess to avoid stickiness.
    • Use a brush 30-50mm wide for bookshelf work; larger brushes don't reach small areas well.

    Watch out

    • If wiping is forgotten, a sticky residue can remain for more than one week.
    • Plywood back board absorbs faster and tends to be uneven; apply thinly and wipe carefully.
19. 19

    Second Coat of Oil Stain

    ≈ 25 min

    After 24 hours drying from the first coat, apply a second coat using 30-50% of the first coat's amount. Wipe off excess again. Two coats deepen color and enhance protection. Complete drying requires 24-48 hours.

    Paint

    Watco oil / varnish

    PaintSTEP 19 / 20

    Tip

    • Second coat corrects color unevenness from first coat; apply thin and evenly.
    • Add a third coat if a darker color is desired.

    Watch out

    • Forgetting wipe-off on the second coat causes unevenness.
    • During drying, keep indoors free of dust and insects.
20. 20

    Completion, Use Start, and Inspection

    ≈ 15 min

    After full drying (48 hours), place books and start use. Arrange heavy books on bottom shelves and lighter books upwards for stability. After one week, recheck screw tightness and L-bracket fixation; retighten if necessary.

    Done!

    Done — nice work!

    DoneSTEP 20 / 20

    Tip

    • Place heavy books like encyclopedias concentrated on bottom two shelves; use lightweight paperbacks and hardcovers on upper shelves.
    • Reapply oil every 3-5 years to restore luster and protection.

    Watch out

    • Placing books immediately after finishing risks oil transfer; ensure 48+ hours drying.
    • Books absorb moisture; use dehumidifiers during rainy season. Moisture causes bookshelf warping.

Warnings

• ⚠️Drill pilot holes before screwing to prevent wood splitting.

Find more blueprints in this category or store