DIY Project of the Week – Dartboard Cupboard

Learn How to Up Your Game with this Dartboard Cupboard

This quick and easy project is great for the cottages, beach cabins, game rooms, man caves – you name it! Designed by Jim West of Westworks Construction, the project calls for Western Red Cedar because it’s naturally resistant to rot, decay and insects, making it the ideal building material for all your outdoor projects – whether it’s a big dream deck or a small DIY project like this one.

• Pro Tip: Use stainless steel screws because it they don’t corrode or stain the wood.

Step One – Prep the Wood

Cut your cedar according to the various lengths illustrated in Real Cedar’s free downloadable building plans. When it came to selecting wood, Jim chose a beautiful knotty grade of cedar. Not only is knotty a cost-effect choice but it adds a lot of warmth and texture. Plus, it’s a great fit for a funky little project like this. In terms of specifying your order, Jim points out there’s little need to buy standard cuts.

“The whole project is virtually all shorts so if you went down to your local cedar supplier and asked for some shorts, you might save yourself some money and come back with some money in your pocket,” says Jim.

Step Two – Build the Backboard

The back is going to determine the whole shape of the project, but don’t let that intimidate you. The entire project was designed for every skill level, and as Jim explains, “This step shouldn’t take long at all because Western Red Cedar is so easy to work with – it doesn’t split or splinter. It’s lightweight and you don’t have to pre-drill for the fasteners.”

Step Three Install Sides and Roof

The simple 45-degree angle roof is a great-looking feature. It really adds some charm to the project. Likewise, the beautiful tonal range of the cedar is really beautiful.

“We’re just going to let this project weather naturally, but it’s good to know that Western Red Cedar is pitch and resin free, which means it accepts and holds a wide range of finishes beautifully,” says Jim. “So, you can create any desired effect you want with the right stain. I recommend staining all six sides of each board prior to installation.”

Step Four – Add Doors

Put together the entire front, fasten it in place and then cut out doors.

“In this case, we put an arch on the doors to match the radius of the dartboard, more or less,” says Jim. “If you don’t feel up to that or you don’t have a jigsaw handy, you can just cut a straight line all the way through and it looks just as good.”

Step 5 – Line Up the Darts

You’ll love the finished product! For such an easy project, it’s a real standout piece and will really boost the overall vibe of your recreational area. That’s because Jim incorporated a lot of features into the design as well as added some personal touches

“We personalized it with a tree cut-out at the top, but DIYers can do whatever they want up there,” explains Jim. “We drilled some holes for the darts on inside of and if you play 501, you’d have a chalkboard on the door, and the shelves are great for storing some chalk and a brush.”

Looking for more DIY woodworking projects like this? Visit our DIY Centre for more free project plans and DIY videos.