This project was built and designed by Jonny from Jonny Builds. It’s a creative and functional bike storage cabinet that turns a bicycle into a centerpiece while providing additional storage for small living spaces.
For cycling enthusiasts living in apartments or smaller homes, finding a secure and attractive way to store a bike can be tricky. Jonny’s solution blends smart woodworking with practical design, offering a cabinet that protects, displays, and organizes.
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Why Build a Bike Cabinet?
Traditional bike storage usually means leaning your bike against a wall or hiding it in a crowded garage. Jonny’s bike cabinet offers a better alternative by giving the bicycle a designated, stylish space right in the living area.
The design doubles as functional furniture, blending bike storage with shelves for helmets, locks, books, or accessories. It’s a great example of making the most out of limited square footage without sacrificing design or accessibility.
Choosing Materials and Tools
Durability and visual appeal are important factors when selecting materials. Jonny recommends using a high-quality plywood like Baltic birch for the main cabinet structure. For contrast and character, cedar is chosen for the doors.
Basic woodworking tools like a table saw, miter saw, and clamps are essential for cutting and assembling the cabinet. A bandsaw and a hinge jig also come in handy during the later stages of the build, ensuring smooth execution of specialty cuts and precise door installations.
Building the Main Structure
The first step involves cutting the plywood sheets down into panels for the cabinet sides, top, and bottom. Careful measurements ensure that the bicycle will fit snugly within the frame, providing enough space to hold it securely without overcrowding the structure.
To add strength and stability, a dado joint is cut into the panels to accept a center divider. The panels are glued together and reinforced with brad nails, while clamps are used along the edges to create tight seams and clean corners.
Cutting the Bike Recess
Creating the space for the bike itself requires a bit of extra planning. Measurements are taken based on the bike’s wheelbase, and the opening is laid out with a template to avoid mistakes.
Jonny uses a combination of drilling and bandsaw cuts to create the recessed area. After rough cutting, he sands the edges for a smooth, polished look, ensuring that the cabinet doesn’t scratch the bike’s frame.
Adding the Backer and Doors
A painted backer board is installed to both stabilize the structure and introduce a pop of color. Jonny chooses a vibrant turquoise that provides a bright contrast when the cabinet doors are opened.
For the doors, cedar is used to bring in a warmer, more natural texture. After cutting and assembling the door panels, they are thoroughly sanded to remove rough spots and prepare for finishing.
Euro-style hinges are used for clean, modern functionality. A hinge jig simplifies installation, allowing the doors to sit flush and operate smoothly.
Finishing Details and Custom Touches
Once the structure is assembled, everything is sanded again for a silky-smooth feel. A satin polycrylic finish is applied to preserve the natural appearance of the birch while adding protection against scratches and moisture.
One of Jonny’s standout details is using bicycle chain rings as door handles. This clever touch ties the project back to its cycling theme, adding personality and making the cabinet feel even more custom and intentional.
A simple door stopper is added using a nut and screw setup, preventing the doors from swinging too far and damaging the cabinet frame.
Why This Bike Cabinet Stands Out
The cabinet doesn’t just hide a bike—it highlights it as part of the room’s decor. The combination of natural wood tones, clean lines, and thoughtful details creates a piece that feels at home in a modern apartment or loft.
Beyond bike storage, the cabinet also offers room for helmets, gloves, locks, and even personal items like books or decor. It’s a smart use of space that encourages better organization and turns an everyday item into a design feature.
A Quick Note on Home Security
While building a cabinet adds protection for your bike, Jonny also reminds viewers to think about broader home security. A system like SimpliSafe can offer 24/7 monitoring and peace of mind, helping protect your bike and other valuables when you’re away.
A Project That Combines Functionality and Style
Jonny’s bike cabinet project is a perfect example of woodworking that solves real-life problems while enhancing your living space. Whether you’re a serious cyclist or just someone looking for better storage options, this cabinet offers a solution that’s both practical and beautiful.
Please support Jonny by checking out his website here: https://www.jonny-builds.com/.
Matt’s Take
These are my personal thoughts and tips based on my own experience in the shop. This section is not written, reviewed, or endorsed by the original creator of this project.
What I really appreciate about this project is how it transforms a storage problem into a design opportunity. Too often we think of bike storage as purely functional — something to hide away. But treating your bike as something worth displaying opens up a whole different approach to the design process.
The material choices here are spot-on for durability. Baltic birch plywood is one of my go-to sheet goods because it holds up well over time and takes finishes beautifully. That cedar contrast on the doors adds warmth without being overwhelming. When you’re working with plywood edges, taking the time to sand them smooth really makes a difference in the final appearance — those edges can look rough if you rush through that step.
Using bicycle chain rings as door handles is the kind of detail that makes a project memorable. It’s those small touches that show you’re thinking beyond just function. The Euro hinges are a smart choice too — they’re forgiving to install and give you that clean, contemporary look that works well with the overall design aesthetic.
For anyone considering a similar build, remember to account for your specific bike’s dimensions early in the planning phase. Wheelbase measurements can vary quite a bit between different styles of bikes, so double-check those numbers before you start cutting your main panels.