Richard Felt: Bathroom Storage Cabinet using an old Window

Hello Remodelaholic readers it’s Jaime from That’s My Letter here today to share a bathroom storage solution that’s also a repurposed project. We are building this storage cabinet using an old window for the door and I’ve put together plans down below for you to plug in your own window dimensions to make this cabinet.

There’s plenty of added storage here and it’s deep enough for toilet paper rolls. Definitely consider making your shelves adjustable to make the best fit for products and taller items but you can screw them permanently too.

This project requires basic woodworking tools (saw, measuring tape, pencil, sander, pocket hole jig), please use all safety precautions when operating power tools. I started with an old window similar to this beauty:

How to Build a Bathroom Storage Cabinet from an Old Window

Supplies:

old window (preferably of vertical orientation)
2 – 1x8x8 pine boards
1 – 1x6x8 pine board
1 – 1/4″ plywood 2’x4′ handy panel
wood glue
1 1/4″ pocket hole screws
3/4″ finish nails
shelf pins (if desire movable shelves)

Costs:

old window (free)
lumber – $40
hardware – $15
paint – (on hand)
Total cost: $55

For this plan to work measure your window width (A) and height (B). Also note this plan can accommodate up to 1 3/4″ thick window. Trim off any excess lips or edges on your window to get a nice flush edge before you begin.

If you are having trouble finding an old window to use then maybe consider building your own window. The plans to build a diy decorative 6 pane window are here:

If you used the diy window plans above to build you own window the width would be 25 1/8″ (A) and the height would be 28 3/16″ (B). Double check your window measurements before making any cuts for the cabinet.

Based on the sketch above fill in the measurements using your values for A and B. The measurements are set to keep 1/8″ of space on all four sides of the window.

Step 1: Attach the base to the sides using wood glue and 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Step 2: Attach the top to the sides using wood glue and 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws. Keep a 3/4″ overhang on both sides.

Step 3: Attach the shelves flush to the back leaving 1 3/4″ space on the front for the window. You can also use shelf pins with predrilled shelf pin holes to make the shelves adjustable (like I did here with this bookshelf).

Step 4: Attach the backing using 3/4″ finish nails. Sand everything smooth and plug any obvious pocket holes.

Now finish the storage cabinet as desired. I painted then distressed vigorously with my sander and stained to add age. Seal everything with polyurethane especially considering the bathroom is a humid environment.