How to Make a Fitted Wardrobe out of MDF

In today's video I show you how I made a fitted wardrobe to a sloping ceiling in my daughter's bedroom.

One of my subscribers recently asked me how I made my daughter's wardrobe - which featured in one of my "how to paint MDF" videos.

I wasn't intending to post a video on this as I hadn't recorded every minute of the construction process. But the more I thought about it, the more I decided that it was worth sharing - as it demonstrates how you can build something pretty special, with some fairly basic tools.

TOOLS/ HARDWARE FEATURED IN THE VIDEO include:
- Wood saw
- Combination square
- Tape measure

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LET'S CONNECT!
Charlie DIYte

[LukeChandlerDesign]

This is possibly the best video I've ever seen on how to diy build something. No expensive tools or huge workshops and some great tips too. Thank you

[mrjones]

Never seen someone draw such straight lines free handed 👍. Great video!!

[PaulFellows]

Hi Charlie I have never made anything before but after my wife asked me to make a built-in wardrobe, I watched this video plus your concealed hinges and door making videos, and I built a beautiful 7'6" x 5'6" wardrobe with 3 Victorian style panel doors, 2 top sliding doors, installed lights, rail and shelves. I had a jig saw plus a drill, but I did buy a cheap planer and 2 G clamps which where so helpful. The wardrobe is perfect and my wife and I love it. (Thank you)

[iconoclasttastic]

Charlie I have learned SO much from watching your channel. Thank you very much indeed for all the hard work you've put in. What a resource! I've just bought my first house and your channel is invaluable to me.

[andrewpage]

These are the videos I like no flash and expensive tools 👍👍

[ryanmacewen]

Ive build a bookcase and desk in design school with only a CHEAP 6 1/2" circular saw, straight edge, tape measure, glue, and drywall screws. The biggest pain, was priming and painting. Yes, it's possible. Thank you for the reminder to keep things simple. I have a decent amount of shop tools now, yet I find myself procrastinating, and essentially complicating everything. Cheers, thanks for the videos! I will say thought, a power planer, wasn't in my arsenal until just recently.

[SpannerAT]

Charlie is one of the best at making it simple. Seems like a genuine guy taking time out to help us ... so we should subscribe and like his videos so that he continues.

[justindow]

I'm in the process of renewing kitchen cabinet doors, and was going to make up my own using a pocket hole system and router the inserts then a plywood centre, after seeing your wardrobe doors, I will now go this Thanks

[susanamal]

Best diy loft wardrobe idea that I think I can do. Thanks for the inspiration, here's hoping mine will look just as good.

[HassanDervish]

This takes the mystery out completely. Thanks for this.

[MikeS]

Brilliant clear in detail, informative along the way, a great teacher and without all the bells and whistles that most youtuber dems use but you did show how much easier it is with a router and work rounds a great confidence booster Thank you.

[CharlieDIYte]

Hi Chris, thanks for the comment - really chuffed you're finding the vids interesting - just wish for this one I had videod more of the actual construction!

No, I don't think there are any disadvantages/ structural issues with using MDF as opposed to natural wood. A lot of pro joiners use MDF for the carcasses - it being so convenient given the size of the sheets and easy to work (cut and plane). You just need to store it correctly prior to use (ie keep it flat and in a dry place) so it doesn't warp.

Remember, strength comes from clever design rather than just massively overcompensating with overly strong/ over specified materials - which, don't forget, also make the job unnecessarily expensive!

Though I've been on building sites where the chippies have constructed the doors like I have, a lot of pro joiners would be quite snobbish about the way I constructed the drawers and doors - they'd prefer to make them with mortice, tenons, and for the doors, frames with routed central panels. But I make them this way because they're just as strong and the method I use is accessible to the average DIYer in a way that pro joiners techniques aren't as we don't have their work shops without all the sophisticated power tools.

[phililpb]

mate thanks for this real world practical advice. every other youtuber all copy each other even down to the tools that consist of a fully kitted out powered wood processing workshop

[simonworsley]

I completely get you as a diy-er and like certain aspects of how you work, a professional joiner and carpenter as I am would be a different finish altogether, I'm nearly 29yrs in the game now and have a lot of call for bespoke units, alcoves followed closely by wardrobes etc, immense pride is taken in every stage and as I think I'm 30% 1st fix and 70% 2nd fix it really shows, I do like your enthusiasm and research values and you should be proud, my only concern is that many people will try to emulate and fck up a lot of work and think that a professional job is easily done by any old chancer, fair play to anyone who has a go and is happy though👍

[firefighterexperienc]

Great video bud.... I bet your daughter was delighted with her wardrobe and your wife must feel very proud of you. Please keep the videos coming. I'm going to go through and watch all your previous videos after seeing this one.

[jasonclarke]

Really enjoyed your video. Now time to get the wife to put this into practice, many thanks

[davidbulley]

That is really quite impressive for minimal tools!

[magdaameliagrzesiak]

Love it! Can't wait to bring my ideas to life and construct my own attic wardrobe. Very eye-opening tutorial, thanks Charlie!!!

[paulprs]

Really good video the tip about using 12 mill strips for the doors is a great idea which I will use on my next project I've also purchased some of the lost tite screws for the 1st time many thanks for taking the time to make these videos I'm a novice diyer and I've learnt a lot from your tutorials thanks Paul

[mattysykes]

You are very skilled I thought I had skills but I don't think I could do that!