![](https://cmhomeanddesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/studio-office-area-cabinets-bridge-with-cubbies.jpg)
I did it! I constructed the cubby bridge on my studio workplace space cupboards all on my own yesterday, and I couldn’t be extra thrilled with how this part is popping out! As a reminder, right here is the objective…
And in the beginning of the day yesterday, that is how the cupboards in that space of the room regarded…
![](https://www.addicted2decorating.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/office-cabinets-progress-22-1200x900.jpg)
The precise cupboards (the white components) are IKEA Sektion cupboards, and I’m within the technique of customizing them. This has been a multi-post challenge simply getting them thus far, so I’ll hyperlink the earlier posts on the backside of this one.
When it got here to constructing the cubby bridge, my preliminary thought was the construct it within the carport, after which carry it inside and screw it to the perimeters of the cupboards. However I work alone. For many who are new round right here, my husband Matt has M.S. and is utterly unable to assist me with tasks. And whereas there are a number of individuals who can be prepared to return and assist me, I actually hate to hassle individuals for issues like this. Plus, I’m fiercely unbiased, and I thrive on determining how you can do issues myself.
In order that was the problem. How do I construct a cubby bridge, after which hoist the factor up there on my own whereas making an attempt to screw it into place? The reply? I DON’T! As an alternative, I made a decision to construct it in place. That appeared like essentially the most “work smarter, not tougher” answer to me. Right here’s how I did it…
First, I measured and marked the place I needed the bridge to be hooked up to the aspect cupboards, and I hooked up a bit of scrap wooden to the aspect of the cupboard with the highest fringe of the board alongside the road I simply marked. This ledger board is non permanent, and I hooked up it utilizing three 1.5-inch 16-gauge nails.
![](https://www.addicted2decorating.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/office-cabinets-bridge-with-cubbies-1-900x1200.jpg)
After which I repeated that course of on the opposite aspect.
![](https://www.addicted2decorating.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/office-cabinets-bridge-with-cubbies-2-900x1200.jpg)
With my non permanent ledger boards in place, I measured and reduce a bit of three/4-inch plywood for the underside of the cubby bridge. It took a few tries to get the match excellent, however on the second strive, it match completely between the aspect cupboards and rested on the ledger boards. You’ll be able to see that it bows down a little bit bit within the center, however I wasn’t frightened about that. That shall be corrected later within the buiding course of.
![](https://www.addicted2decorating.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/office-cabinets-bridge-with-cubbies-3-1200x900.jpg)
After becoming that piece, I eliminated it and drilled three pocket holes on every finish. These pocket holes are on the highest of the board, not the underside. The underside is seen when standing within the room, and I don’t need seen pocket holes, and I don’t like having to fill pocket holes on areas that shall be seen.
![](https://www.addicted2decorating.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/office-cabinets-bridge-with-cubbies-4-900x1200.jpg)
To drill the pocket holes, I used my Kreg Pocket Gap Jig. This is the one I have (affiliate hyperlink), and it’s price each penny. If you wish to construct furnishings or cupboards, this device is a must have merchandise!
So once more, I drilled three pocket holes on every finish of that piece, ensuring I drilled the holes on the highest of the piece.
![](https://www.addicted2decorating.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/office-cabinets-bridge-with-cubbies-5-900x1200.jpg)
At this level, I introduced my scaffolding in to make the entire constructing course of a lot simpler. This is the one I have (affiliate hyperlink — additionally out there at Residence Depot), and it’s yet one more factor I purchased lately that I ponder how I lived with out for therefore lengthy!
So standing on the scaffolding, I positioned the plywood piece again on the non permanent ledger boards, pocket holes going through up, and I screwed the piece into the aspect of the tall cupboards.
![](https://www.addicted2decorating.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/office-cabinets-bridge-with-cubbies-6-900x1200.jpg)
With that secured in place, it regarded like this. The bow within the center was nonetheless there, however I wasn’t frightened about it at this level. I simply needed to be sure that it regarded stage with the trim on the high of the window.
![](https://www.addicted2decorating.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/office-cabinets-bridge-with-cubbies-7-1200x900.jpg)
As soon as I used to be certain it regarded stage, I eliminated the non permanent ledger boards. That did go away three nail holes on both sides that I’ll must fill and sand, however I’m okay with that. We DIYers who work alone must do what it takes, and filling and sanding six small nail holes is a small worth to pay for getting this job accomplished on my own.
![](https://www.addicted2decorating.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/office-cabinets-bridge-with-cubbies-8-900x1200.jpg)
Subsequent, I used my desk noticed to chop the items for the ends. I hooked up these by nailing from the within of this aspect piece into the plywood on the aspect of the aspect cupboard (i.e., within the path my nail gun is pointing beneath).
![](https://www.addicted2decorating.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/office-cabinets-bridge-with-cubbies-9-900x1200.jpg)
After which I additionally nailed by way of the underside plywood piece and into the sting of the aspect piece.
![](https://www.addicted2decorating.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/office-cabinets-bridge-with-cubbies-10-900x1200.jpg)
After repeating that on the opposite finish, I used to be prepared to chop the again piece to suit inside the 2 finish items. That is the place the bow in that backside board can be corrected. You’ll be able to see the again piece set into place beneath, and the bow in that backside board continues to be seen.
![](https://www.addicted2decorating.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/office-cabinets-bridge-with-cubbies-11-1200x900.jpg)
To safe that again piece, I first nailed by way of the aspect items into the sting of the again piece.
![](https://www.addicted2decorating.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/office-cabinets-bridge-with-cubbies-12-900x1200.jpg)
After repeating that on the opposite finish, I nailed by way of the underside piece into the underside fringe of the again piece.
![](https://www.addicted2decorating.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/office-cabinets-bridge-with-cubbies-13-1200x900.jpg)
That is what took care of the bow and straightened up the underside plywood piece. You’ll be able to see that there’s now not a spot between the 2 items at this level.
![](https://www.addicted2decorating.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/office-cabinets-bridge-with-cubbies-14-1200x900.jpg)
To be clear, aside from the six pocket screws holding the underside piece in place, I constructed your entire factor utilizing 1.5-inch 16-guage nails. I’ve full confidence that these nails will maintain. The sort that go in a nail gun are very tough, and actually seize into the wooden. In case you’ve ever constructed something utilizing these nails, and needed to take items aside, you understand how sturdy they’re. However when you have much less confidence than I do in how nicely the nails will maintain, you may at all times use wooden glue along with the nails, and even add extra pocket holes to carry the items collectively.
Subsequent, I reduce and hooked up the highest piece, nailing it throughout the three sides that sat on the aspect items and the again piece. I nailed by way of the highest and into the perimeters of these three items. At this level, it was actually beginning to seem like one thing! 😀
![](https://www.addicted2decorating.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/office-cabinets-bridge-with-cubbies-15-1200x900.jpg)
And the ultimate step of the essential construct for the cubby bridge was to chop and connect the dividers. I reduce them utilizing my desk noticed, after which hooked up them similar to the opposite items.
![](https://www.addicted2decorating.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/office-cabinets-bridge-with-cubbies-16-1200x900.jpg)
After measuring and marking for placement of those divider items, I nailed by way of the underside piece into the underside edged of the divider items.
![](https://www.addicted2decorating.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/office-cabinets-bridge-with-cubbies-17-900x1200.jpg)
After which I nailed by way of the highest and into the perimeters of the divider items.
![](https://www.addicted2decorating.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/office-cabinets-bridge-with-cubbies-18-900x1200.jpg)
And with that, the essential construct was accomplished! It’s going to take quite a lot of trim and ending to get this part of cupboards to seem like I envision in my thoughts, however I’m nicely on my approach!
![](https://www.addicted2decorating.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/office-cabinets-bridge-with-cubbies-19-1200x900.jpg)
I so want that each single certainly one of you may see this in particular person. Photos don’t do it justice. This part of cupboards went from trying sort of small and dwarfed by that tall, large wall, to trying very substantial, like it might maintain it’s personal in opposition to that massive wall. Generally, extra is unquestionably higher! 😀 And I believe, when it’s all completed, it’ll look far more like customized cupboards now.
So keep tuned, as a result of developing subsequent, I’ll get the entire thing trimmed out and prepared for primer and paint. I’m getting actually enthusiastic about seeing this part completed quickly!
Addicted 2 Adorning is the place I share my DIY and adorning journey as I rework and beautify the 1948 fixer higher that my husband, Matt, and I purchased in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do bodily work, so I do the vast majority of the work on the home on my own. You can learn more about me here.
Trending Merchandise