How to Build a Wood Foot Locker

Written By
Alex Smith
Alex Smith
Published: Jan 26, 2011
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
2 minute read

All you have to do is screw them together and add the hardware.

Things You Will Need

  • 1-by-12-inch board
  • Tape measure
  • Saw
  • 1-by-4-inch board
  • 1/2-inch plywood
  • Drill
  • Wood screws
  • Screwdriver
  • Paint or stain (optional)
  • Hinges
  • Lock (optional)
  1. Cut a 1-by-12-inch board into two 30-inch and two 16-inch pieces. Cut a 1-by-4-inch board into pieces of the same length.

  2. Cut two rectangles out of high quality, 1/2-inch plywood. They should both measure 30 by 17.5 inches.

  3. Assemble a box with the 1-by-12 pieces. The 30-inch pieces will sandwich the 16-inch pieces between them, resulting in a box that measures 30 by 17.5 (the 1-by-12 is actually only 3/4-inch thick).

  4. Drill small pilot holes through the 30-inch boards and into the sides of the 16-inch boards. Each corner gets three pilot holes: one near the top, one near the bottom and one in the middle.

  5. Screw the box together with 1.5-inch wood screws through the pilot holes.

  6. Assemble the 1-by-4 boards into a box following steps 3-5. Each corner gets two screws instead of three.

  7. Position the plywood rectangles on top of the boxes. Drill pilot holes every five inches and screw the rectangles in place with 1.5-inch wood screws.

  8. Paint or stain the two boxes as desired. If this foot locker is for your child's bedroom, let him help you paint it. You can also leave a natural wood finish if you prefer.

  9. Place the small box upside-down on top of the large box. It will form the lid.

  10. Hold two hinges against the back seam and mark the positions of their holes on the wood with a pencil.

  11. Drill pilot holes for the hinges.

  12. Screw the hinges in place with 1/2-inch wood screws.

  13. Attach a lock on the front (if desired) following the same method as the hinges.

The Drip Cap

  • A foot locker is a convenient place to store things.
  • Building a foot locker out of wood is a fairly simple project, made easier by the fact that you can have a lumberyard cut all of the pieces for you.
  • Each corner gets two screws instead of three.
  • Drill pilot holes every five inches and screw the rectangles in place with 1.5-inch wood screws.
  • Place the small box upside-down on top of the large box.
Alex Smith

Alex Smith began writing in 2006 and brings a combination of education and humor to various websites. He holds a Master of Arts in theater and works as a professional makeup and special-effects artist.

Sponsored
HomeSteady Logo

HomeSteady is the ultimate guide for all your household needs, from cleaning and HVAC to electrical, DIY and maintenance.

Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2026 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.