Organize and store all the dresses! This dress up storage project features a hanging closet rod and lots of storage for all the accessories and the shoes in the open base. Designed and built by Craftiness is Not Optional, free detailed plans below.

Preparation
- 1 – 10 foot 1×12 board
- 1 – 6 foot 1×10 board
- 36″ long 1-1/4″ diameter dowel or wood closet rod
- 2″ self tapping wood screws (about 20)
- 2 – 1×12 @ 36″ (Sides, round top corners 3″ down with a jigsaw)
- 1 – 1×12 @ 34 1/2″ (Bottom)
- 2 – 1×10 @ 34 1/2″ (Sides of Storage Box)
- 1 – 1-1/4″ diameter dowel or closet rod @ 34 1/2″ (Closet rod)
If you have a compound miter saw, make all cuts on it. If not, use a circular saw with a guide.
Cut the corners with a jigsaw and sand the jigsaw cut smooth.
Instructions
Step 1
Step 2
Sides
Cut the arch shape from the sides as shown above. I’ve done this quite a bit, and it’s easier said than done to get two arches that match exactly with a jigsaw. What I do is create a pattern by folding a sheet of 12″ x 12″ scrapbooking paper in half and cutting out an arch shape. Then I trace this pattern on to the wood and carefully cut to the outside of the traced line with a jigsaw. Then I clamp the two boards together, and sand, sand sand with coarse sandpaper until the ends match. Another trick if you just can’t get the ends to match is to round the cut edges, so it’s not such a sharp line – then it’s more difficult for the human eye to see that the ends are not a perfect match.
Once you’ve cut the ends, predrill pilot holes along the bottom and side edges 10″ up (I center mine 3/8″ in) and screw the sides to the storage box. Oh, apply glue to the ends of the storage box first, and keep your outside edges flush.
Step 3
Closet Rod
Now there are several different ways you could attach the closet rod, but I liked the idea of actually gluing and screwing it in place because the top would then have some support to keep the sides in place. So measure down 3″ and to the center of your tops and predrill pilot holes. My trick . . . thread your screws through so the end is just barely showing through. Then line the screw tip showing through to the center of the dowel. Apply glue and screw it together. Do the same on the other side.
Comments
Kristi @ Creat… (not verified)
Wed, 11/24/2010 - 09:59
This is so cute! And looks
This is so cute! And looks simple enough! Might have to put it on the to do list!!
Monika (not verified)
Thu, 03/15/2012 - 01:47
Cuties
Is this for doll dresses? I think it is if I look at the dimenssions. Tagesgeldzinsen
Lauralee (not verified)
Wed, 11/24/2010 - 10:10
How awesome! It's so simple,
How awesome! It's so simple, and yet, I never thought of it! I wish I had this when my eldest was little. I suppose it's as good a time as any to get my two year old organized though! YAY! Thanks, Ana!
martin12 (not verified)
Sat, 07/14/2012 - 06:49
How awesome! It's so simple,
How awesome! It's so simple, and yet, I never thought of it! I wish I had this when my eldest was little. I suppose it's as good a time as any to get my two year old organized though! YAY! Thanks, Ana!
Bauchmuskeltraining
Peter Stum (not verified)
Thu, 10/18/2012 - 07:06
How awesome! It's so simple,
How awesome! It's so simple, and yet, I never thought of it! I wish I had this when my eldest was little. I suppose it's as good a time as any to get my two year old organized though! YAY! Thanks, Ana! Xenical
Rachel (not verified)
Wed, 11/24/2010 - 10:14
Oh my! I love this. I was
Oh my! I love this. I was just wondering how to organize all of the huge tutus and princess gowns yesterday. I will be building this for sure! Thanks!
Georgiana (not verified)
Thu, 03/15/2012 - 01:55
Dolls
All it's left is to buy a lot of dolls wich to wear these beautiful dresses. Tagesgeldkonto
Amy Jill (not verified)
Wed, 11/24/2010 - 10:22
I'm thinking my kids wouldn't
I'm thinking my kids wouldn't actually hang things on hangers. BUT they WOULD hang stuff on hooks. Could I not build up the back to the height of the unit and install hooks? Hmmmm. My boys are going to LOVE this.
martin12 (not verified)
Sat, 07/14/2012 - 06:51
I'm thinking my kids wouldn't
I'm thinking my kids wouldn't actually hang things on hangers. BUT they WOULD hang stuff on hooks. Could I not build up the back to the height of the unit and install hooks? Hmmmm. My boys are going to LOVE this.
Bauchmuskeltraining
Theresa (not verified)
Wed, 11/24/2010 - 11:12
Yay! Thanks Ana for helping
Yay! Thanks Ana for helping me out with my request! :) :)