Storage Chest Plans – Simple and Inexpensive

Who doesn’t need a storage chest / blanket chest / hope chest…. the list goes on.  Call it what you will, the “Bailey Cube” plan is a nice wood plan for a chest that is simple and flexible in design.  Build it to suit your own needs.  It can be a cube, or a chest, your call and it won’t involve very much math to accomplish.

If you are like me, the 2 words in the title are a big part of my woodworking projects.  I often begin a project because of an overpriced item that I see in a store.  Just the notion that someone could charge $499 for a   “chest” that uses some of the most simple woodworking techniques really gets me going.

The following chest plans come from The Design Confidential and are laid out much the way that plans from ana-white are.  The plans are done via Sketchup and have multiple views to give you a nice idea of what your work should look like each step of the way.  I do not see a direct link to the Sketchup file, but you might be able to locate it in the 3d Warehouse if you spend some time looking.

You should be able to get a sense of how simple the plan is by the lack of material and cost.  The estimated cost is $25-$50. The price will primarily depend on the wood you select.  Obviously a sheet of MDF will not cost the same as a sheet of cabinet grade plywood.

Material List:

• 1 1/4″ Pocket Hole Screws – if using a Kreg Jig
• 1 1/4″ Wood Screws
• **2″ Wood Screws – if you aren’t using a Kreg Jig, these will be helpful.
• 1 1/4″ Finish Nails
• Wood Glue
• Wood Filler
• Sandpaper
• Finishing Supplies
• Hinges for The Storage Chest Lid

Please keep in mind that a hinged top storage chest should have something to prevent fingers from getting smashed.  You can find many options for hinging and safety at Rockler.com.

Good luck with you storage chest build.  This is a fun project and an item that you will be able to use for years to come.