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
Missy Tate
Fri, 08/31/2012 - 11:59
Made mine for my girls dance things!!
http://ana-white.com/sites/default/files/3154814442_1346273523.JPG
Connie Eldridge (not verified)
Tue, 10/16/2012 - 12:52
LOVE IT!!!!
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
Exactly what I wanted!
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
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!
Adam from F&W.de (not verified)
Mon, 01/21/2013 - 23:36
:-)
What a world ... ! Very nice :-) !
jusiolory
Tue, 02/19/2013 - 23:24
great
great
mcgypsy9@aol.com
Wed, 05/25/2016 - 03:40
WHAT THIS IS
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!