A wall-mounted corner cupboard offers an excellent way to put otherwise wasted space to use. You can display your favorite plates or other collectibles in a corner cupboard without wasting valuable floor space. Use a pair of these cabinets to balance and anchor a breakfast or dining room. The piece shown here is compact enough to fit in a hall or guestroom.

We constructed our example from cypress, but another wood such as cherry, walnut, or heart pine could be used. The only power tools needed are a table saw and saber saw. Construction is surprisingly easy, using simple half-lap joints for the face frame. The plans, which can be ordered from Southern Living, include step-by-step assembly drawings, as well as a materials list.

The piece can be stained or painted. For extra impact, the inner faces of the two sides can be painted a contrasting color to provide a dramatic backdrop. If desired, the cupboard can also be distressed by sanding away some paint along the edges for a time-worn look.

"Hang a Corner Cupboard" is from the October 2001 issue of Southern Living.