Supplies:

Cabinet Sandpaper (sanding block optional)
Paint Paint key
Paintbrushes
Paint stick
A good place to paint (outside, or on a tarp)
A stand or post (we made ours out of 2x4 lumber)
Screws Drill Drill bits screwdriver
Saw (we used a chop saw)
Waterproof material for a roof (we used corrugated plastic)
Caulk or sealant
Foam door/window insulation
Handles or other hardware

Step 1: Step 1: to Get Started

Select a cabinet to edit and gathered supplies. We got most of our supplies from a ReStore (second-hand store for building supplies, that supports a non-profit).

Step 2:

Next sand the complete cabinet down, about twice so that paint will better stick to the cabinet.

The back
Sides Doors
Top
Bottom
Front edges

Step 3:

Then remove doors from the cabinet and sand down till you can feel some scratches in the wood. Make sure to pay attention to the spots not touched by the last round so that when you paint it stays.

Step 4:

Wipe down the dust off the sanded parts with a damp towel because we don’t want dust interfering with the painting process.

Step 5:

Once satisfied with sanding, then get ready to paint. Take the paint can open the can with a paint key, and stir with a paint stick to produces better paint results. Protect the inside of the cabinet by applying painters tape.

Step 6:

Then start painting the outside of the cabinet. And make sure to paint all over the outside, for better weather protection. Keep painting until satisfied it can withstand the weather. We did about three layers. In addition to the cabinet, you should pain the 25’ stakes for better weather protection on the roof.

Step 7:

Measure the bottom of the cabinet and cut the pieces accordingly. You should cut 2 long pieces, 4 short pieces, 2 pieces that will fit in the bottom of the cabinet, and a 5in 2’’4 block for later.

Step 8:

Screw the two long pieces together to make the part that stands vertically and will give hight to the library.

Step 9:

Then screw each short piece to the bottom in a star shape so the library will stand stable. We used our railing to make it easier to drill holes. You would want to drill at least 2 holes for each short piece, later we add an extra hole and screw to better stabilize the post.

Step 10:

Screw the 2 pieces for the bottom of the cabinet on the top of the post for the cabinet to sit on.

Step 11:

Take the 25in stakes and 5in 2x4 and place them accordingly on the top of the cabinet. Screw the stakes to the top of the cabinet and the block so that there will be a little gap in the roof for water to get in.

Step 12:

Next, cut the plastic sheet at 28in, because you want 1 inch on both sides so that we can have better run off when it rains.

Step 13:

Screw the plastic sheet on to the stake by the side because it makes the roof falter.

Step 14:

Take the cabinet shelves out so their not in the way for the next step.

Step 15:

Screw the cabinet to the stand. We did eight screws in total in two rows. The middle 4 within ¼ of the middle and the outside 4 a ¼ and half an inch. Also, consider adding small holes for airing for better stabilization.

Step 16:

Caulk the inside of the cabinet and Add insulation strips to the inside of the door edge of the doors for installation in weather

Step 17:

We added plastic sheeting to the back of our cabinet because our back is made of plywood and so not well protected to the elements.

Step 18:

Then, put the doors back on(we added vinal letters and handles to ours for flair) to protect the books for the elements. And we added a latch for wind protection.

Step 19:

Put the shelves back inside the cabinet for better organization of the cabinet.

Step 20:

And tada we have a lending library!

Introduction: Lending Library From Kitchen Cabinet