When you have an American Girl Doll, there is no such thing as too much storage space!  That’s why I love trying different versions of closets and armoires.  In this version you can’t store your doll (Go here for the American Girl Doll storage tutorial) but you can store a lot of her belongings.  The drawer on the bottom is pretty deep so you can put away larger items.

Shopping list:

2 – 1/2’’ (Plywood) @ 2’ x 4’
1 – 1/4’’ (Plywood) @ 2’ x 4’
1 – 5/16’’ Dowel @ 8’’
Wood Glue
Kreg Jig or 18 Gauge Nailer
3/4’’ Kreg Jig Screws or 3/4’’ Nails for 18 Gauge Nailer
4 – 1’’ Hinges
3 – Door Knobs or any type of handle

Cut List:

1 – 1/2’’ (Plywood) @ 12 1/2’’ x 9’’ – Armoire Bottom
2 – 1/2’’ (Plywood) @ 19’’ x 9’’ – Armoire Sides
1 – 1/2’’ (Plywood) @ 12 7/8’’ x 9’’ – Armoire Middle Wall
1 – 1/4’’ (Plywood) @ 20’’ x 12 1/2’’ – Back of Armoire
1 – 1/2’’ (Plywood) @ 13 1/2’’ x 9 1/2’’ – Top of Armoire
1 – 1/2’’ (Plywood) @ 12’’ x 9’’ – Support Shelf
2 – 1/4’’ (Plywood) @ 9’’ x 5’’ – Shelves
1 – 5/8’’ Dowel @ 7’’
1 – 1/4’’ (Plywood) @ 10 1/2’’ x 5’’ – Back of Drawer
1 – 1/2’’ (Plywood) @ 10 1/2’’ x 9’’ – Bottom of Drawer
2 – 1/4’’ (Plywood) @ 9’’ x 5 1/2’’ – Drawer Sides
1 – 1/2’’ (Plywood) @ 12 1/2‘’ x 5 3/4’’ – Front of Drawer
2 – 1/2’’ (Plywood) @ 13 3/8’’ x 6 3/16’’ – Left and Right Doors

Tools:

Tape Measure
Miter Saw
Table Saw
Drill
Hearing Protection 
Safety Glasses 
Pencil
Sanding Block

Step 1:

You need to make the drawer first.  Attach the two drawer sides to the drawer bottom by nailing into place.  You can also put wood glue on it before you use the nail gun.

AG Armoire

Step 2:

Attach the back and the front of the drawer.  You can see the dimensions below.

Step 3:

Dado the left side of the closet so you can easily slide in the shelves later.

AG Armoire

Step 4:

Dado the middle structure of the closet.

Step 5:

Create the holes for the dowel to fit into for the hanger rod.  The holes are 5/16”.  You will do this for the back side of the middle wall and the inside of the right wall.

AGD Armoire Step 5

Step 6:

Dado the right wall of the closet.  This side will only need one since there will be no shelves attached to it.

Step 7:

Now that the outer two walls are dadoed, you can create the box frame. I used the Kreg Jig to draw the structure into place.

Step 8

Insert the shelf that will separate the drawer.  You can use wood glue if you want.

Step 9:

Insert the dowel for the hangers.

Step 10:

Nail the back piece into place.

Step 11:

Slide the shelves into place.  Again, you can use wood glue if you want.

Step 12:

Screw the hinges into place so you can add the doors.

AG Armoire

Step 13:

Attach the doors to the hinges.

Step 14:

Glue or nail on the door handles.

American Girl Closet

American Girl Closet American Girl Closet American Girl Closet

12 Comments so far. Feel free to join this conversation.

    1. Cate
      November 27, 2015 at 8:24 am –

      I love your website! I just found it and have been doing all of the crafts I can find! I only have a black and white pinter and the printables don’t look as good in black and white. I came across this craft, i was so happy until, i found out that i needed to buy wood. Can you make a version of this out of a shoe box or poster board? Thanks!

    1. Katie
      June 14, 2015 at 4:43 am –

      My Dad is going to help me with it over the summer so when it is finished I can put my new doll clothes in it because my doll is getting a new school outfit!!

        • Rudy
          June 14, 2015 at 8:13 am –

          You have such a great dad!

    1. Grace
      May 24, 2015 at 11:07 am –

      Oh my gosh! This is AMAZING!!! My dad has been helping me build it, it’s harder than I thought, but it’s SO fun, and not $350. I just bought a pack of AG hangers, and there perfect! My dad also recommended to put magnets inside the doors, so they don’t fall open all the time ?

        • Rudy
          May 24, 2015 at 2:28 pm –

          I am so excited you built this!! The magnets are a great idea! When you are done you should put it on the brag page to show everyone your work and the things you added to it!

    1. Nicole
      January 31, 2015 at 1:33 pm –

      I like this storage U created. My daughter has the journey girl storage case, it has space to store her AG doll, but she never stores her doll in there. I’m starting to look for new storage that takes up less space and stores things better. I’m thinking about getting those hanger jewelry pockets, but I’ll keep searching. Thanks for your inspiration to creAte things for her doll especially since I don’t have the $ to buy the AG stuff.

    1. angelica
      January 28, 2015 at 11:11 am –

      I love this idea. Definitely showing this to my daughter ?

    1. Michelle Cyr
      January 12, 2015 at 5:27 am –

      Oh my goodness!! My husband just said last night that he wanted to make a dresser for my girls’ doll clothes and shoes!! He will be so excited that plans are already made!! Thank you!!

        • Rudy
          January 12, 2015 at 8:32 am –

          That’s awesome!!

    1. Aimee
      January 8, 2015 at 8:33 am –

      How neat is this!?

    1. DiAnne
      December 6, 2014 at 11:19 am –

      THANK you so much! This is what I’ve been looking for!