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Dress Up Storage by Craftiness is not Optional

dress up storage
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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.

Dress Up Storage Features

  • 3 foot long closet rod will hang many dress up outfits
  • Open base keeps everything contained - no matter how long the cape or fluffy the tutu
  • For shoes, purses and accessories, just toss in the open bottom
  • Add caster wheels for easy mobility
  • Paint or finish to match your room or style
  • We love it personalized 

 

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Dress Up Storage

Dimensions
dress up storage dimensions diagram
36" x 36" x 12"

Preparation

Shopping List
  • 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)
Common Materials
Elmer's Wood Glue
Elmer's Wood Filler
120 grit sandpaper
primer
wood conditioner
paint
paint brush
Cut List
  • 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)
Cutting Instructions

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.

Tools
Tape Measure
Speed Square
Pencil
Safety Glasses
Hearing Protection
Drill
Circular Saw
Jigsaw
Power Sander
Level
Drill Bit Set

Instructions

Step 1

Storage Box

Predrill holes along the long edges of the bottom with a countersink bit. Then apply glue to the bottom edge of the storage box sides and screw the bottom to the storage box sides with 2″ screws and glue.

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.

Step 4

And here is what we’ve got with 2″ caster wheels and 6″ letters. Is this just for princesses? Because I LOVE this, even for a big girl closet! Hmmmm . . . now you got me thinking.

Step 5

Project Type
Toys
Room
Kids and Toys
Storage Solutions
Style
Children's and Kid's Room Furniture and Toy Plans

Comments

Lauralee (not verified)

Wed, 11/24/2010 - 10:10

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, 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

Amy Jill (not verified)

Wed, 11/24/2010 - 10:22

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 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

Jessica Harris (not verified)

Wed, 11/24/2010 - 11:40

OMG! This is the plan I NEED! My boys have two huge tubs in the playroom FULL of costume nonsense. They usually dump everything out to find anything! I am so excited and I have all the wood in my garage waiting already! Thank you ANA! This will be an awesome Christmas for little "Superheros"!

Amy (not verified)

Wed, 11/24/2010 - 12:33

TOTALLY what Jessica said. :-) My daughters are "too old" for dress up, but my son is CRAZY about his costumes. This is going to be painted dark blue or red for my house with the words "LET'S PRETEND" on the side. Love love love this!!!!!

Amme (not verified)

Wed, 11/24/2010 - 13:56

Ana, I don't know if this deal is everywhere or or just Houston, but Home Depot is going to have their 10" mitre saw with laser for just $79! That's my Christmas present, Yeah! I built the doll bed this week all by myself. I am so proud. Hopfully I will get pics up soon. Thanks so much for all you do. You are so inspiring.

Pam the Goatherd (not verified)

Thu, 11/25/2010 - 12:34

As soon as I saw this I was thinking about converting it to a "big girl" closet for my spare bedroom. We live in a mobile home and the closet in our second bedroom is a wart that I have wanted to tear out for years but didn't want to have to spend a small fortune on an armoire to replace it with. This piece in an adult size would be perfect! I'm thinking that I'll make the front of the box out of a a 1"x3" so that shoes can be put in there without having them fall out on the floor and I'll put baskets on the top shelf to hold things like socks and undies. My house is soon going to be full of Ana creations!

Cindy Jones (not verified)

Fri, 11/26/2010 - 16:05

This dress-up storage is just what we need at my house to hold all my granddaughter fairy dresses! I am so excited to make it for her. We have just begun the childs table and I am about to make the cushion on the chair my husband made me using your plans. I am a fan of yours and check every day for the plan of the day! Thank you so much.

carrie (not verified)

Fri, 11/26/2010 - 19:07

LOVE THIS! I make a dress up play set for my daughter every year for christmas... this will really put her gift over the top this year! Thanks always for sharing your wonderful ideas! Your creativity makes me smile!

Christina Jo (not verified)

Mon, 11/29/2010 - 10:34

I actually built this!!! I still can't believe it - I have to put the dowel on, sand and paint, BUT I BUILT THIS!! First time i've ever tried anything like this. This was my first attemp at building ANYTHING! Ana, thank you so much for this site, you are amazing!

Amy J (not verified)

Mon, 11/29/2010 - 12:34

I am making this for my daughter for her birthday! I love it with the shelf on top. She can put her princess jewelry box up there and hopefully that will keep her brother out of it! I would make it for Christmas but I am already tackling the play table with rolling carts for that!

Stephanie Kaiser (not verified)

Mon, 11/29/2010 - 21:35

I have four girls and this is an absolute must have!!!! I have been admiring your work and you are inspiring me to really make space and do this. I need to just make it a goal and go from there. But I first need clean sweep to come and get rid of everything in my garage.........LOL! But soon I will be posting pictures of things I have made from your designs. Love what you do it totally rocks!!

Sam, Danielle,… (not verified)

Thu, 12/09/2010 - 18:53

My friend asked me to make one for her this week. Used my bradnailer for the bottom with glue, and countersinked some screws on the sides. I did add a decorative wooden piece to the sides. With the clothes hanging, I was thinking to eliminate the front board to accommodate her daughters shoes.
Tip: I always hate using my jigsaw; I'm not the best cutter. I cut before the line, and then clamped the sides together while I run the boards on the table sander, and sand down to the line.

Lyndsey (not verified)

Sun, 12/12/2010 - 10:49

My husband and father-in-law made this yesterday. I just have to paint it and then it will be done. For the arches, they basically made a big compass by taping thread to a pencil (they actually taped it to the lead of the pencil so that angle of the pencil didn't matter), attaching the other end to the centerpoint they chose (they measured to the middle of the width of the board and 4 inches down because we made ours a little bit taller than the plan) and then allowing the thread to create the arch. They used the same measurements on both boards to make sure the arches match. It looks great!

Sarah R. (not verified)

Sat, 12/18/2010 - 08:08

I built this last night! It is a quick and easy project! Of course I didn't read the instructions and screwed tall sides to the bottom first. Oops. Trying to rig it so it was stable while I drilled was comical. Next time I'll read first...

Stephanie Sherman (not verified)

Thu, 01/06/2011 - 12:22

@ petrak28 : Adorable! We're making one too. I really like the shade of pink that you used. What paint brand and color # did you use? It's a really nice pink.

Alex (not verified)

Thu, 02/03/2011 - 05:40

This would be awesome to modify the scale and use for American Girl Doll accessories and clothes :)

Diane (not verified)

Tue, 02/15/2011 - 23:48

This is fabulous! I however have zero tools to create one myself. But I did send a link to this to my Uncle who has a wonderful wood shop. I'm really hoping he can create one for my two little princesses!
Thanks for sharing.

Kate (not verified)

Wed, 06/08/2011 - 07:19

I would pay someone to make this for me! I do not have the tools to do this but if someone sold these, they could most certainly make a profit!

eellsinoc (not verified)

Sun, 09/11/2011 - 16:14

My husband just finished my daughter's Dress Up Station today - she loves it....we are using some tote boxes on the top shelf for jewelry, hats, etc. We also added more hooks on the sides....thanks for the help!
Pinterest Project - Dress Up Station

Monica G (not verified)

Thu, 11/03/2011 - 07:33

I was looking for something just like this for my daughters dress up clothes. Thank you for posting this! Now all I have to do is follow the directions! I can't wait to see what it looks like.

R.S. (not verified)

Mon, 11/28/2011 - 08:29

I LOVE this! Can't wait to get it finished!!! I have five kids and space is limited. This is exactly what we need to get organized before Christmas! Thank you!

Guest (not verified)

Tue, 01/31/2012 - 17:16

My husband just built this!! Love it. I painted it, but how did you get the writing on front? The way i tried didnt work at al

Connie Eldridge (not verified)

Tue, 10/16/2012 - 12:52

I made this for my daughter and she just loves it! I have been looking for what seems forever to find something like this for her and was beyond excited when I saw this! My boys even love it and want one for their rooms! Thanks so much for sharing!!!!

Kellie (not verified)

Sun, 11/18/2012 - 06:03

My husband and I made this together last night; we made a few little changes, some that you suggested (like the shelf, and the lip on the shelf), made it a little bit taller too. SUCH a great idea. I had found a similar item for purchase at Costco online for the bargain of $160+ tax. So thank you! I think at the end this cost me about $30 to make. My kids will love it! (They're not getting it until Christmas)

Berry Barn Designs (not verified)

Mon, 12/24/2012 - 08:39

Thank you for the easy to follow plans! I was pestering my dad to create something like this for me to give my girls, but it was so close to Christmas that he wasn't sure he'd have time to piece it all out. Found your plans (and the great theater idea on ThePickyApple.com) and he was able to get it all cut and ready for me to paint and assemble in no time. A few small changes and we have a reversible dress-up storage/puppet theater!

dress-up storage (hinged front for theater access)     

[email protected]

Wed, 05/25/2016 - 03:40

I noticed many comments about this being for dolls. This is not for dolls! This is for little girls or boys to use for their pretend dress up clothing. When they want to play dress up, all the dresses or costumes are hung along the middle, the bottom holds shoes and boots or whatever and the top holds their jewelry accessories. To make this a true dress up place, add a fair sized mirror to the end for the kids to admire themselves!

Frequently Asked Questions

Wood Questions

What kind of wood should I use?
Most of our plans use standard construction lumber like pine or fir. It's affordable, easy to work with, and easy to find. It's also rapidly renewing and biodegradable, so a great eco friendly choice!

Can I use hardwoods instead?
Yes—just keep in mind they're heavier, cost more, and can be tougher on tools and harder to join together and finish. I recommend not tackling a hardwood project until after you have built several softwood projects.

What if my boards are warped?
Choose the straightest boards at the store. You can often work around slight warps by cutting them into shorter pieces.

What wood should I use for outdoor furniture?
Use red-toned or pressure-treated 2x lumber for framing, and cedar or cedar fence pickets for the decking. Outdoor furniture should be built like a deck—your local home center can help recommend the right wood for your climate.

Will my wood move or warp after I build?
Potentially, especially in humid climates. Let your wood acclimate indoors before building. Once acclimated and kept in a stable environment, movement should be minimal. Remember, most houses are built using framing lumber - it's all about keeping moisture down indoors.

Cutting Questions

Do I need a miter saw?
A miter saw is great, creating fast, safe, and precise cuts, even for beginners. But most plans can be built with a circular saw and a straight edge. If using a circular saw to cut, take time to practice, and get good at making cuts, before cutting your project boards.

How do I get clean cuts with a circular saw?
Clamp your board, measure twice, cut slow, and use a sharp blade. This takes practice, so spend some time making cuts. I go through becoming proficient at freehand cutting in my course, it is worth taking if you want to master this skill.

Will the store cut my wood?
Yes—most stores will do rough cuts to help you transport your materials home. But from store to store, the quality of cuts could greatly vary.

Joinery Questions

What screws should I use?
We recommend star-head self tapping screws for framing, most common sizes are 2-1/2", 1-3/4". Pre-drill if close to the edge or you find your wood is splitting.

Do I have to use pocket holes?
Pocket holes are the cheapest, easiest and fastest way to do some joints - like edge to edge or a hidden fastener joint. There are other methods, but these can be time consuming and expensive. We recommend using pocket holes as indicated in plans for best results.

How do I keep things square?
Use a speed square and measure diagonals after each step. Always clamp joints before screwing to keep them tight and flush.

Finishing Questions

Stain or paint before or after building?
A quick sand before and a full finish after gives the best results. Pre-finish if you're doing two-tone or detailed finishes.

What type of finish?
Use oil-based or water-based stain. For paint, cabinet-grade latex or enamel works great. High use surfaces on indoor projects should get a coat of polyurethane, I recommend a Helsman or Spar or other flexible poly that won't crack or peel with wood movement. For exterior projects, use a finish suitable for exterior fences.

How to get a smooth finish?
Start with a well sanded project. Sand between coats (220 grit), wipe clean, and apply light coats with a foam brush or roller.

Plan Questions

Can I change the size?
Many people do, and that's the great thing about building your own furniture! But do keep in mind going bigger might mean more supports are required, and often plans are optimized for minimal material waste.

Are these beginner-friendly?
Yes—plans are written with simple tools and clear steps in mind, with every effort to make plans as simple as possible.

Can I sell what I build?
Absolutely! Just don’t resell or repost the plans themselves.

General Questions

What tools do I really need?
A drill, circular saw, tape measure, square, and a few clamps will get you through most projects.

Do I need a workshop?
Nope! A driveway or small patio is plenty to get started, just make sure you have a level place to work. If you find you are building several projects a year, creating a small workbench is a great way to store tools and have a dedicated workspace.

What if I mess up?
Wood filler, sanding, or flipping boards goes a long way. Mistakes are part of the process!

What can I do to make my projects look more professional?
Start with straight boards, make accurate cuts, clamp all joints, and line up everything neatly. Sand thoroughly, use a neutral finish, and apply it in light coats for a clean look.

I've never built anything before. Where should I start?
Start with a few smaller softwood projects to get hands-on experience. Or if you're tackling a big project, buy a little extra lumber and practice your cuts and joints first. If possible, work with someone who has a bit of experience.

Care & Maintenance

How long will my furniture last?
With good joinery and regular care, your DIY furniture can last for decades. I have pieces in my own home that are over 20 years old and still going strong! One of the best parts about DIY furniture is that it’s easy to repaint, refinish, or repair—so your projects can grow and adapt with you.

How should I care for outdoor furniture?
Lightly pressure wash or hose it down once or twice a year. Tighten screws and reapply finish as needed to protect it—just like a deck or fence. A little upkeep goes a long way in extending the life of your furniture.

How about indoor furniture?
Regularly dust or wipe with a damp cloth. If it starts to look worn, a light sanding and touch-up paint or stain can refresh it in no time. DIY pieces are meant to be durable and fixable—so don’t be afraid to give them some love now and then.

Want to Build with Confidence?

Check out my ebook: 12 Skills to Build Your Own Furniture
It walks you through the core skills every builder needs—measuring, cutting, joinery, and finishing—so you can build beautiful furniture that lasts.

Still Have Questions?

Email us anytime at [email protected] and we’ll be happy to help!