Welcome, fellow DIY enthusiasts and home decor lovers!

Build Your Own Dream Armoire: A Pottery Barn Kids Inspired DIY Project

Today, I’m thrilled to unveil my latest furniture creation: a stunning armoire inspired by the timeless elegance of Pottery Barn Kids. This project was a fantastic collaboration with the incredibly talented Ana White, and I couldn’t be happier with the results. Get ready to transform your living space with this beautiful and functional piece. Here’s a glimpse of the finished armoire:

And it’s not just about what’s on the outside! The interior boasts thoughtful design and ample storage, making it perfect for toys, media, or clothing. Let’s take a peek inside:

I’m absolutely captivated by this piece, and I’m excited to share all my tips, tricks, and insights with you. While I’ll cover the essential details here, remember that you can find the complete, comprehensive set of plans over at Ana-White.com. This guide will help you understand the process, select the right materials, and master the techniques needed to build your own custom armoire.

The Foundation: Choosing the Right Wood for Your Armoire

One of the most surprising aspects of this project is the primary material used: plywood! Many people envision solid hardwood for such a substantial piece, but the truth is, this entire armoire is constructed predominantly from high-quality plywood. This choice not only makes the project more accessible but also offers incredible stability and a beautiful finish.

We often rave about our enduring appreciation for PureBond Plywood, and this armoire perfectly illustrates why it’s our go-to material. PureBond is a superior hardwood plywood that stands out for several compelling reasons. It’s readily available in large 4’x8′ sheets at your local Home Depot, making it convenient for large projects. For ease of transport, you can even have the friendly Home Depot staff cut the sheets into more manageable pieces right in the store, fitting them perfectly into your vehicle.

The beauty of PureBond lies in its ability to offer the versatility and large format of plywood while delivering the stunning aesthetic of genuine hardwood. It’s incredibly strong, durable, and provides a smooth, paint-ready surface. Beyond its performance and appearance, PureBond is also an environmentally conscious choice. It’s manufactured with formaldehyde-free glue, ensuring better indoor air quality and a safer working environment – a significant benefit for any DIYer. Furthermore, it’s proudly made in the USA, supporting local industries. It truly is a win-win situation for both your project and the planet.

For this specific armoire build, I used two sheets of 3/4″ birch PureBond plywood for the main structure, and two sheets of 1/4″ birch PureBond plywood for backing and other thinner components. This combination provided the necessary strength and a consistent, beautiful grain pattern throughout the piece. To delve deeper into the benefits and specifications of this exceptional product, be sure to visit their website. You can also follow PureBond on Facebook, where they frequently share exciting giveaways and inspiring projects created by fellow enthusiasts using their high-quality products. It’s a fantastic resource for endless inspiration!

Mastering Joinery with the Kreg Jig System

Constructing a piece of furniture of this size requires strong, reliable joints, and for this, my trusted Kreg Jig was absolutely indispensable. The Kreg Jig system simplifies the creation of pocket hole joinery, allowing for incredibly strong and precise connections, even for novice woodworkers. It’s a game-changer for furniture building, making complex assemblies surprisingly straightforward.

For all my joints, I used 3/4″ pocket holes paired with 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws. To ensure maximum strength and durability, I also applied Gorilla Wood Glue to every joint before fastening with screws. This combination creates an incredibly robust connection that will stand the test of time. Here’s a look at the pocket holes prepared for a side bottom piece:

If you’re new to the Kreg Jig or have one sitting in its box feeling a bit intimidated, don’t worry! My colleague Ash and I will be sharing a detailed video tutorial in the coming weeks, demonstrating exactly how we use our Kreg Jigs. Our goal is to demystify the process and empower you to confidently tackle your next woodworking project. It’s much easier than you might think!

Here, you can see the base piece securely attached to one of the long side panels, showcasing the clean and strong pocket hole joinery:

For attaching all the shelves and internal dividers, the Kreg Jig Right Angle Clamp proved to be an invaluable assistant. This clever tool holds your wood pieces perfectly aligned at a 90-degree angle, freeing up your hands to drive in screws with precision. It truly feels like having a second pair of hands in the workshop, making solo building projects significantly easier and more accurate. Take a look at how effectively it holds the pieces together:

I find myself reaching for this clamp on almost every project – it’s an absolute must-have for any serious woodworker. Here’s the top section of the armoire, fully assembled and ready for the next steps:

And a closer look at the robust internal construction:

Despite its substantial size, the core construction of this armoire is surprisingly straightforward. The main frame came together quickly, thanks to efficient joinery, allowing me to move on to the detailing – the trim work.

Adding Character: Trim and Custom Feet

For the armoire’s trim, I opted for select pine boards. While I typically hunt for the most cost-effective, straight white wood boards to keep project expenses down, after a frustrating search through numerous warped pieces, I decided to invest in the select grade. I’m incredibly glad I did, as the quality and straightness of the select pine made the trim installation process smooth and yielded a superior finish. This decision truly elevated the overall look of the armoire.

To attach the trim with precision and ease, I used my absolute favorite new tool: the Ryobi AirStrike Cordless Brad Nailer. You are going to fall in love with this tool as much as I have!

This Ryobi AirStrike Cordless Brad Nailer is a revolutionary tool for DIYers. It can drive up to 700 nails on a single battery charge and accommodates nails up to 2 inches in length. The best part? No cumbersome air compressor is needed! This means ultimate portability and freedom – you can take your nailer anywhere, from the workshop to a remote corner of your home, without being tethered by hoses and power cords. It drastically speeds up trim work and makes it a joy rather than a chore.

For those who are just beginning their woodworking journey and feel overwhelmed by tool choices, I highly recommend checking out our FAVORITE TOOLS page. We’ve compiled a concise list of essential tools, complete with links and practical suggestions, that will empower you to tackle a wide range of projects. You’d be amazed at how much you can accomplish with a few quality tools – you could literally furnish an entire house!

Finally, let’s talk about those charming, custom-cut feet that give the armoire its distinctive base. These were cut from select pine using my versatile Ryobi Cordless Jig Saw. Creating custom profiles like these is a fantastic way to personalize your furniture. Here’s a breakdown of the cutting sequence:

Cut 1: Start by making a smooth, gentle curve. Think of it as shaping the initial profile of the foot. Patience and a steady hand are key here.

Cut 2: Next, refine the curve, making it more pronounced and establishing the bottom edge of the foot design. Practice on scrap wood if you’re new to jigsaw work.

Cut 3: For the final cut, I went straight down the board from the top corner, and then repeated the process on the other end to create the desired shape. You might need to do a little extra squaring off of the corners afterward, but it’s an easy step. Think of it like carving a turkey with an electric knife – smooth and controlled movements for the best results!

The Finishing Touches: Stain, Hinges, and Pulls

The right finish can truly bring a piece of furniture to life. For this armoire, I used the same beautiful stain I applied to a complementary bed project: Rust-Oleum Ultimate Wood Stain in Kona. This deep, rich shade adds warmth and sophistication, perfectly complementing the Pottery Barn Kids aesthetic. You can easily find this exceptional stain at Lowe’s – it truly is one of the best stains available for achieving a professional, lasting finish.

To complete the look, I also sourced all the hinges and drawer pulls from Lowe’s. Their wide selection ensures you can find hardware that perfectly matches your desired style and functionality, adding that essential touch of elegance and practicality to your DIY armoire.

Inspiring Views: More Armoire Details

Ready for a few more inspiring angles of this custom-built masterpiece? These images highlight the intricate details and overall grand presence of the armoire, showcasing how it can become a focal point in any room while offering exceptional storage solutions.

Isn’t it incredible how much storage this piece provides? It’s not just a beautiful addition to a room; it’s also a highly practical solution for keeping spaces tidy and organized. The drawers you see inside are an optional insert, designed on a separate plan. The wonderful news is that you’ll likely have enough PureBond plywood leftover from the main armoire build to construct these drawers with very minimal additional material purchases. We will be sharing the detailed plans for these optional drawer inserts next week, so stay tuned!

More DIY Inspiration from Our Workshop

Thank you so much for joining me on this woodworking journey! I truly hope you find this DIY armoire project as inspiring and rewarding as I did. Remember, the full construction plans are available on Ana White’s amazing site, providing all the detailed measurements and steps you need to recreate this piece in your own home. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions along the way!

If you enjoyed this project, you might also be interested in other creations from our workshop. I previously built this charming bed, also inspired by Pottery Barn designs, which would perfectly complement your new armoire:

And for a touch of personalized decor, explore some of our fun and absolutely FREE printables!

Stay Connected for More DIY Adventures!

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Happy building!