Storage Cubes

The storage cube is a beautifully simple form, yet it is perhaps the most versatile of all modular home storage systems. Essentially a wooden box, the cube can hold anything you want it to, and you can build it almost any size you like. You can mount it on a wall, hang it from the ceiling, set it on a desk, or stack it on the floor with a group of other cubes. You can also add to its function with a coat hook or a shelf if it is wall hung.

Storage cubes are not a new idea, and you can certainly find a range of prefabricated versions made of a few different sizes and materials. But what’s nice about building your own is that you get exactly what you want—in terms of size, shape, color, and add-ons. Maybe you’ll build a series of square cubes for a cool twist on a standard bookcase or display shelving. Or maybe a long, shallow cube to hold spice jars in the kitchen. The photos below and on the facing page suggest a few more ways to customize your cubes.

The instructions on pages 130 to 131 show you the basic construction steps for building a square cube, both with and without a back panel. The material used here is finish-grade plywood. The same building techniques will work for rectangular cubes and for different materials, such as solid 1× lumber or MDF (medium-density fiberboard). Also, if you don’t own a router but you have access to a table saw, the saw will work just as well for cutting rabbets.