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DIY wall supported cabinet
After examining the unit as it currently stood I decided it was sturdy enough and with it fitting flush to the the walls at the side this would stop the sides trying to move out.
I like the Fluval Osaka dark wood cabinets and therefore I shall be using a dark vinyl on this cabinet and the fittings will be a matt silver colour.
I plan to cut the unit to size, bringing the doors in from the edge so that they meet in the centre. Then in the centre remove the shelve section and replace it with a single upright piece to add support and then cut the centre out to allow me easy access from one side to the other.
In the top I will be cutting out a small slot each side to allow me a choice of pipework options without the need for having pipes bending to the back coming up behind the cabinet and then back again to the front.
Then at the back there will be 2 small cutouts to allow electrical wiring through.
The back of this unit will be open as it doesn't need to be pretty inside and it gives easy access to the power points.
First step was to cut the top and get it to fit into the alcove. The walls are old and not straight so this would give me a 'footprint' to cut the unit to. I also had to cut and remove the skirting board where the cabinet would be to let it be flush to the wall. The front rounded edge would stick out slightly from the level of the chimney breast.
With the 'footprint' measured I started on the sides. These would be level with the chimney breast resting on the floor. Next I cut 2 pieces for the front and rear which would also rest on the floor. The base 'shelf' would sit on these.
With the unit now taking shape the base shelf was cut to fit on the front and rear pieces
and then fitted into place. A single upright section reaching from front to back was fitted into the centre. Then with a punch saw I cut out the centre of this piece.
