DIY Farmhouse Medicine Cabinet (Plans + 2 Templates)

Looking to add storage and farmhouse style to your bathroom? Look no further than this DIY medicine cabinet! Plans and two patterns included!

DIY farmhouse-style medicine cabinet on a wall

Transform your bathroom into a beautiful and functional space with this attractive farmhouse-style DIY medicine cabinet bursting with storage! It has two adjustable shelves inside and two more to show off your favorite keepsakes or organize toiletries on the outside.

The free plan includes all of the measurements, step-by-step instructions, and two templates for cutting out the curved details. Let’s get started!

Table of Contents

This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase from these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Visit my site policies for more information.

Inspiration for This DIY Medicine Cabinet

On a recent thrift store trip with a friend looking for some items for his vacation rental, we stumbled across an incredible find – a handmade medicine cabinet. It would make a great addition to one of his units that didn’t have one, and when we saw that it was only $19.99, we knew we couldn’t pass it up!

Wood farmhouse medicine cabinet on the floor next to a couch at a thrift store

The cabinet needed a little freshening up, so I sanded it and gave it a couple of coats of polyurethane. The more I worked on it, the more impressed I was with the design and simple construction. I was so inspired by this piece that I decided to draw up plans for it so that you can make one too!


What Tools Do You Need?

This project is relatively straightforward, but the door has some details that require a few extra steps. For that reason, I would say this is more of an intermediate project, but I think even beginners can tackle it with a little patience.

Miter Saw

You’ll use a miter saw to cut the parts to length.

Scroll Saw or Jigsaw

You’ll need either a scroll saw or jigsaw to cut the curved details for the sides and top of the cabinet.

Table Saw or Circular Saw

Depending on the wood you use for the cabinet (see note below), you may need to rip some boards to width, and a table saw would be the best tool to do that.

You’ll also need to cut the back for the cabinet and door, which you can do with either a table saw or a circular saw and a Kreg Rip-Cut.

Related: Table Saw vs Circular Saw (Which Should You Buy?)

Pocket Hole Jig or Doweling Jig

You can use either a pocket hole jig or a doweling jig to join the pieces together. I join nearly all of my projects with pocket holes, so that’s what I would use for a project like this.

Related: Which Kreg Jig Should You Buy? (Here’s the Answer)

Brad Nailer

I recommend a brad nailer to attach the back to the cabinet, but you can also use a hammer and nails.

Related: Brad Nailer vs Pin Nailer (Differences & Which to Use)

Router

You’ll need a handheld router and a ⅜” rabbeting bit to create a rabbet on the inside of the door for the mirror and around the outside so the door sets into the cabinet. A rabbet is a recessed area cut into the edge of a board.

Related: How to Use a Router Table for Beginners

Closeup of the hinges on a DIY farmhouse medicine cabinet

Shelf Pin Jig

You will also need a shelf pin jig to drill the holes for the adjustable shelves.

Related: How to Make Adjustable Shelves with a Shelf Pin Jig


What Wood Should You Use?

This inspiration piece for this project was made with 1×5 pine boards. I always hesitate to share plans with 1×5s because readers frequently tell me they can’t find them in their area.

Related: Beginner’s Guide to Wood Sizes

My local home improvement store carries 1×5s, but if you can’t find them, you can rip 1×6s to width using a table saw. Alternatively, you could make the cabinet with 1×6s; however, it will stick out from the wall a bit farther, and you will have to adjust the measurements of the removable shelves.

DIY farmhouse-style medicine cabinet on a wall with the door open

I should also mention that pine is a softwood and can easily dent, so this medicine cabinet may show signs of wear and tear over time.

Looking for a more durable option? Consider hardwoods such as poplar, oak, or maple. Although they may cost you more upfront than pine, they will be more resistant to wear and tear.

You’ll also need a small piece of 1/8″ plywood or hardboard for the back of the cabinet and door.


How Do You Draw the Curved Details?

Drawing the curved details for this medicine cabinet could be tricky if you have to do it by hand. But don’t worry. I’ve got your back! The free printable plan includes two templates that’ll take care of all the heavy lifting for you.

To get started, get the free plan, print it, and trace the template. It’s that easy!

Closeup of the bottom shelf on farmhouse-style medicine cabinet

How Do You Finish the Medicine Cabinet?

This medicine cabinet was already stained when I found it at a thrift store. All that was necessary to freshen it up was some light sanding and applying a few coats of this polyurethane alternative.

You can leave your cabinet natural or finish it with your favorite stain or paint.


How Do You Hang the Medicine Cabinet on the Wall?

An easy way to hang the medicine cabinet is with one of these french cleat-style picture hangers.

Related: How to Make a French Cleat

Following the directions on the package, I began by attaching one section of the hanger to the back of the cabinet.

Hands using a screwdriver to attach a hanger on the back of a wood DIY medicine cabinet

Next, I attached the other section of the hanger on the wall.

Hands using a screwdriver to attach a hanger on a wall

Finally, I hung the cabinet on the wall.

Person hanging a handmade medicine cabinet on the wall

How to Make a DIY Farmhouse Medicine Cabinet

Printed Plan

Get the FREE plan here (includes detailed instructions, measurements, and bonus tips)

Supplies

Tools


Step 1. Make the Sides

Cut two pieces of wood to length for the sides.

Next, print the pattern at the end of the plan.

TIP: When printing the template, make sure the scale is set to 100%.

Tracing paper templates can be frustrating because the pencil point pushes into the flimsy paper, resulting in a distorted line. To fix this problem, I attach my patterns to a manila folder using spray adhesive and cut out the design with scissors. This way, the folder acts as a guide for my pencil to trace around.

Hands using scissors to cut out a template for a DIY medicine cabinet

Next, trace each pattern on both of your boards.

You can cut the sides of the cabinet using a scroll saw or jigsaw. I recommend leaving the line when you make the cut, so that you can fine-tune it by sanding up to the line.

A quick and easy way to smooth these curved edges is with a portable spindle sander; otherwise, you’ll have to smooth them by hand with sandpaper.

Related: The Best Sanders for Furniture (Which One to Buy & Why)


Step 2. Attach the Shelves

Cut three pieces of wood to length for the shelves.

Sketch showing how to attach the shelves to a DIY farmhouse medicine cabinet

You can attach the shelves to the sides of the cabinet using pocket hole joinery or dowels. I’m a fan of pocket holes, so I would use those for my project.

Related: How to Use a Pocket Hole Jig

Apply glue, position on the sides, clamp and attach using dowels or pocket screws.

Next, use a shelf pin jig to drill shelf pin holes into each side of the cabinet.

Related: How to Use a Shelf Pin Jig

Cut two pieces of wood to length for the removable shelves and use a table saw to rip them to width.


Step 3. Attach the Top

Cut one piece of wood to length for the top.

Print the pattern at the end of the plan. Place the pages end-to-end, use a straightedge to align the bottom of the pattern, and join them with tape. As in Step 1, I recommend using spray adhesive to attach the pattern to a manila folder. Then cut it out and trace it on the wood.

Hands using tape to assemble a pattern for a farmhouse-style DIY medicine cabinet

You can cut the top using a scroll saw or jigsaw. I recommend leaving the line when you make the cut so that you can fine-tune it by sanding up to the line.

Then use a spindle sander or sandpaper to smooth the saw marks.

Drill two pocket holes in each end, position and attach using pocket screws.

Sketch showing how to attach the top to a DIY medicine cabinet

Step 4. Attach the Back

Cut one piece of plywood or hardboard to size for the back.

Center on the back opening and attach using brad nails.

Sketch showing how to attach the back to a DIY farmhouse medicine cabinet

Step 5. Make the Door

Cut two pieces of wood to length for the stiles and two pieces of wood to length for the rails.

Again, you can either use dowels or pocket holes to join the door. I typically use pocket holes; however, they must be strategically located because you’ll need to use a router to make rabbets for the mirror and inset the door. If the pocket hole screws are too close to the edge, you may damage your router bit.

Sketch showing how to assemble a door for a DIY medicine cabinet

On the inside of the door opening use a router and a rabbeting bit to cut a rabbet for the mirror.

Sketch showing how to make a rabbet for a mirror for a DIY farmhouse-style medicine cabinet

Below is an example of a rabbeting bit.

Rabbeting bit on a piece of wood

For the best results, I suggest making the cut in two passes. Start by setting the bit to remove a small amount of material, and then move your router around the interior edge of your door in a counterclockwise direction. Then, set the bit to the final depth and make the second pass.

Below is an example of how I used a rabbeting bit to make a rabbet on this picture frame.

Hands using a router to make a rabbet

The router bit leaves the corners rounded, but they need to be square so you can install the mirror.

Below is an example of a round corner after making the rabbet for this picture frame.

Finger pointing to a rounded corner after using a router to make a rabbet

For perfectly squared corners, try using a corner chisel. Just place it into the corner and tap it with your hammer two or three times. If you don’t have a corner chisel, using a flat chisel and a hammer works just as well.

Again, this is an example from the DIY picture frame where I used a corner chisel to square the corners of the rabbet.

Using a corner chisel to square a corner

The outside of the door also needs a rabbet so that it sets into the cabinet. Again, I recommend making the cut in two passes. First, remove a small amount of material, adjust the bit to its final depth and make the second pass.

Sketch showing how to make a rabbet around the outside of a DIY medicine cabinet's door

Measure the mirror opening and have a piece of mirror cut so that it’s about 1/16th smaller in each direction.

Most hardware stores, home improvement centers, and glass shops will cut mirrors to size for you. Make sure to measure the opening several times before having it cut.

Sketch showing how to install the mirror in a DIY medicine cabinet

Cut a piece of plywood or hardboard to size for the back of the door.

Sketch showing how to install the back on a DIY medicine cabinet's door

Place the mirror and door back in the opening and secure them with glass retainer clips.

Closeup of a clip holding the back of the medicine cabinet's door in place

Step 6. Install the Door

Attach the hinges to the back of the door, center in the opening, and attach the hinges to the cabinet.

Sketch showing how to install the door in a DIY farmhouse-style medicine cabinet

Step 7. Finish the Medicine Cabinet

Whether you keep your cabinet natural or give it a personalized touch with paint or stain, the choice is yours!



Final Thoughts

Making a DIY medicine cabinet may seem like an intimidating project, but it’s relatively straightforward. With the right tools and supplies, you can have your own farmhouse-style medicine cabinet in no time!

Get your free plan (including the detailed instructions and measurements) now!

Thank you for stopping by. If you enjoyed this tutorial, would you please take a moment and pin it to Pinterest? I’d really appreciate it!


Recommended For You


Pin This For Later

2 Comments

    1. Hi there – As I mentioned early on in the tutorial and again under the How Do You Finish section, I bought this at a thrift store, and it was already stained. But if I had to guess, the person who handcrafted it probably used a colonial maple stain.

COMMENTS

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.