My sister-in-law has a friend that loves basketball. During his free time, he either watches a basketball game or spends time on a court playing with his friends. To maintain his enthusiasm for basketball, he wanted a locker to keep his sport items organize and easily accessible at any time. Knowing that I build furniture, my sister-in-law asked me to build a locker for him. She gave me dimensions, and I’ve designed plans for a DIY Entryway Locker with Storage.

The entryway locker with storage has a large drawer at the bottom to store the shoes and also two upper cubby compartments.

For this entire project, I used ¾” Radiata Pine Plywood. This plywood is very sturdy and fairly inexpensive. I used this plywood for many of my projects: 6 Drawer Dress, Closet Organizer, Toys Storage…

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Note: Lumber dimensions are listed as nominal size.  See lumber sizes for actual dimensions vs nominal.

Disclosure: Some of the links on this page as well as links in “tools for this project” and “material list” sections are affiliate links.

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Dimensions

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Step 1 – Cut Backboard and Side Pieces for the Locker

Since this locker has three major pieces, (one backboard and two sideboards) we need to cut these large items first. Measure and draw, on ¾” plywood, the shape of the side pieces per dimension from the cut list. Then using a Skill Saw cut these side pieces first. Then, take the second ¾” plywood piece and draw a measurement of the backboard, then cut it out. Once the large pieces are out of the way, then it’s easier to cut the smaller pieces on a Table Saw.

Step 2 – Cut All Pieces for the Base of the Locker

The locker sits on the 4” tall base that has four boards. Cut two sideboards at 28 1/4″, then front board at 22″ and the backside at 20 1/2″. Drill pocket holes as shown in the picture making sure that Kreg Jig is set for ¾” plywood. Then, cut the locker’s bottom piece, which is 24″x31″.

Step 3 – Assemble the Base

Attach all four base boards to the bottom locker piece using 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws and wood glue.

Step 4 – Attach Side Pieces to the Base of the Locker

Now take the side pieces you cut earlier and drill three pocket holes. Making sure they are on the inside bottom of the locker. Then drill two pocket holes on the front pop out.  Attach these side pieces to the base using wood glue and 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Step 5 – Drill Pocket Holes and Attach the Back Piece

Drill pocket holes on the back piece, as shown in the picture. Now attach it to the bottom base and side pieces with 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws and wood glue.

Step 6 – Install Drawer Slides

The bottom of the locker will have a sliding drawer, so we need to install the 24″ long drawer slide. Take a scrap 2×4 or 1×4 piece and place it on the bottom of the locker as a guide. Then place the drawer slide over the 2×4 and screw it to the side piece of the locker. Make sure the drawer slide is 3/4″ set back from the front.

Step 7 – Measure and Cut Middle the Seating Board

Now cut the middle seating board per dimension shown in the picture. You will need to use a jig saw to cut out the 3/4″ indent. Use a Kreg Jig, drill the pocket holes. Since this is a seating board, drill extra pocket holes closer together to make this piece support more weight.

Step 8 – Mark the Elevation of the Seating Board and Attach

To install the middle board level, measure 13 1/4″ from the bottom of the locker and draw a line as a guide. Make sure the pocket holes are under the seating board and then attach this board with 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Step 9 – Cut Pieces for the Drawer Box

Next, cut the boards for the drawer box. Drill pockets holes as shown in the picture. The front piece does not have any pocket holes. 

Step 10 – Assemble the Pieces for the Drawer Box

Attach the pieces together with wood glue and 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws. The front piece is slightly larger than the box, so make sure to center the front board in the middle of the box. 

Step 11 – Drill a Handle Opening in the Drawer Front Board

Instead of adding a drawer handle, we’ll make an oval opening on the front piece to open and close the drawer. Find the center of the front drawer board and measure 2″ down from the top. Then measure 1 1/4″ to the left and the right. Those two points will be the center where you need to drill holes with 1 3/4″ hole saw bit. Then connect these two holes with a jig saw. The total opening width would equal to 4 1/4″ in width.

Step 12 – Install the Upper Shelf of the Locker

To install the upper shelf, cut 22 ½” x 22 1/4″ piece and drill pocket holes on three sides. Measure 10″ from the top and mark a line on the side as well as the backboard as a guide. Then install the shelf with 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws. The pocket holes will be on top of the shelf.

Step 13 – Cut the Remaining Pieces Before Staining

Measure and cut the top piece of the locker which to 23″x24” in length. Then cut a shelf divider that is 10″x21 1/2″ and an 11 3/8″x9 1/2″ door that attaches to the shelf divider. Under the shelf, there’s a 22 1/2″ by 2″ wide lip and a 1 1/4″ wooden dowel rod. Drill pocket holes on the shelf divider and a lip under the shelf as shown in the picture. Now stain or paint the entire locker and these pieces separately. Having these pieces not assembled makes it easier to stain.

Step 14 – Attach the Door to the Shelf Divider

Once everything is stained and the stain is dry, attach the shelf door to the shelf divider. Use a pair of 1″ metal foldable hinges. Make sure the door is centered on the divider board.

Step 15 – Install Door and Shelf Divider on Top of the Shelf

Find and mark the center of the shelf. Place the shelf divider on top of the shelf and making sure the door closes. Then attach the shelf divider with and 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Step 16 – Nail the Top Lid Board to the Locker

Place the top lid board over the locker and nail it with a nail gun using  1 1/4″ brad nails.

Step 17 – Insert the Coat Hanger Dowel Rod

Install the closet dowel sockets on the sideboards of the locker about 3” from the shelf board. Then insert the dowel into the sockets.  And finally, install the 2″ lip board that’s under the shelf. You’re done with DIY Entryway Locker with Storage!