Build a Dresser with Optional Trim

DIY Furniture Plans – An Easy to Build Dresser with Optional Trim

This dresser plan is easy and there are so many ways to make it unique. The DIY Furniture Plans to Build a Dresser with Optional Trim feature two smaller drawers above three longer drawers, tapered legs and the option to add decorative trim to the drawer fronts and side panels.

Other options for making this dresser truly unique include adding wallpaper to the drawer fronts and side panels, stenciling or maybe even a fabulous metallic finish!

Materials:

1-1/4″ pocket hole screws
2-1/2″ pocket hole screws (<– affiliate link!)
1″ brad nails
1-1/2″ brad nails
Edge banding, optional
5 sets of 15″ Drawer slides*
Cabinet pulls
Wood glue
Sandpaper (100, 150, 220 grits)
Finishing supplies (primer & paint, or stain, sealer)

(*Regular bottom mount drawer slides can be cut to fit, visit this easy tutorial on cutting drawer slides!)

Tools Needed:

Miter saw or Circular saw
Table saw
Iron for edge banding
Drill
Pocket hole jig
Right angle drill attachment (for tight spaces)
Pneumatic brad nailer with compressor
Sander
Drawer slide jig (optional)

Lumber:

1 – 1×2 at 4′
7 – 1×6 at 8′
7 – 2×2 at 8′ (or 4 – 2×4 at 8′ ripped in half)
1 – 4′ x 8′ sheet of 1/4″ plywood
1 – 4′ x 8′ sheet of 3/4″ plywood
6 – 1/4″ x 3/4″ trim at 8′, optional (or 507 linear feet)

Cut List:

4 – 2×2 at 32-1/4″ – Legs
4 – 2×2 at 14-1/2″ – Side Panel Framing
2 – 3/4″ plywood at 14-1/2″ x 25-1/4″ – Side Panels
10 – 2×2 at 39″ – Stretchers
4 – 2×2 at 14-1/2″ – Stretcher Supports
2 – 1×2 at 16-3/4″ – Small Drawer Slide Supports
1 – 2×2 at 4″ – Small Drawer Slide Support Spacer
1 – 1×6 at 5″ – Front Spacer
1 – 1/4″ plywood at 27-1/2″ x 40-1/2″ – Back
1 – 3/4″ plywood at 18″ x 43″ – Top
6 – 1×6 (ripped to 4″ wide) at 36-1/2″ – Larger Drawer Box Front & Back
10 – 1×6 (ripped to 4″ wide) at 15-1/4″ – ALL Drawer Box Sides
4 – 1×6 (ripped to 4″ wide) at 14-1/4″ – Smaller Drawer Box Front & Back
3 – 1/4″ plywood at 14-3/4″ x 37″ – Larger Drawer Box Bottom
2 – 1/4″ plywood at 14-1/4″ x 14-3/4″ – Smaller Drawer Box Bottom
1 – 1×6 at 38-3/4″ – Lower Drawer Front (bottom drawer)
2 – 1×6 (ripped to 4-3/4″ wide) at 38-3/4″ – Lower Drawer Fronts
2 – 1×6 (ripped to 43/4″ wide) at 16-1/2″ – Smaller Drawer Fronts

Optional Trim:

4 – 1/4″ x 3/4″ trim at 14-1/2″ – Side Panel Trim
4 – 1/4″ x 3/4″ trim at 25-1/2″ – Side Panel Trim
4 – 1/4″ x 3/4″ trim at 4-3/4″ – Larger Drawer Trim
2 – 1/4″ x 3/4″ trim at 5-1/2″ – Larger Drawer Trim
6 – 1/4″ x 3/4″ trim at 38-3/4″ – Larger Drawer Trim
4 – 1/4″ x 3/4″ trim at 4-3/4″ – Smaller Drawer Trim
4 – 1/4″ x 3/4″ trim at 16-1/2″ – Smaller Drawer Trim

Step One

Cut the pieces for the legs. Cut a taper in the lower edge of each leg using a tapering jig on the table saw.

Step Two

Cut the pieces for the side panels and the side panel framing. With the pocket hole jig set for 3/4″ material, drill pocket holes in all four edges of the side panels.

Set the pocket hole jig for 1-1/2″ material and drill pocket holes in each end of the framing pieces.

Secure the framing pieces to the panels using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws. The back faces of the pieces will be flush with each other.

Secure the side panel/framing assembly to the legs using the appropriate screw for the material – 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws for 3/4″ material and 2-1/2″ screws for 1-1/2″ material.

Step Three

Cut the pieces for all of the lower stretchers and the stretcher supports, Drill pocket holes in each end of each piece. Secure the supports to the center of the stretchers as shown using glue and 2-1/2″ pocket hole screws.

Secure the stretchers to the legs using glue and 2-1/2″ pocket hole screws. Set the remaining four stretchers and one stretcher support aside.

Step Four

Secure two of the remaining stretchers to the legs using glue and 2-1/2″ pocket hole screws.

Step Five

Apply glue to the lower edge of the smaller drawer spacer and clamp in place until dry.

Position the 2×2 spacer on the back stretcher. Apply glue to the bottom edge and clamp in place until dry.

Secure the 1×2 drawer slide spacers to the front 1×6 spacer using glue and 1-1/2″ brad nails. Secure the back end of the 1×2 slide spacers to the 2×2 spacer using glue and 1-1/2″ brad nails.

Step Six

Secure the remaining stretcher support to the last two stretchers using glue and 2-1/2″ pocket hole screws. Secure the assembly to the top of the legs using glue and 2-1/2″ pocket hole screws.

Step Seven

Cut the piece for the back panel and secure in place using glue and 1″ brad nails.

Step Eight

Cut the piece for the top. The top will overhang the sides and front by 1/2″. Secure the top in place using glue and 1-1/2″ brad nails.

Step Nine

Cut the pieces for the drawer box sides, front, and back. Cut the groove in the bottom edge of each piece at 1/4″ wide by 1/4″ deep using a table saw or a router and a straight bit. Set the pocket hole jig for 3/4″ material and drill pocket holes in each end of the drawer box front and back pieces on the opposite side as the groove. Make sure that the pocket holes will not interfere with the groove. Secure the sides to the back using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Step Ten

Cut the piece for the drawer bottom. Slide the bottom into the grooves in the sides and back. The piece should fit snugly but not too tight.

Step Eleven

Insert the front edge of the drawer box bottom into the groove on the drawer box front. Secure the drawer box front to the drawer box sides using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws. Install the drawer slides according to the manufacturer’s installation instructions locating them ¾” back from the front edge of the legs.

Step Twelve

Cut the pieces for the drawer fronts. Mark the position for the drawer pulls and drill the holes. Shim the drawer front in the opening – there will be a 1/8” gap around all sides – then drive screws through the holes for the drawer pulls into the drawer box. Open the drawer, and secure the drawer front using countersunk 1-1/4” screws from the inside. Remove the screws from the holes for the drawer pull then finish drilling the holes. Install the drawer pull. For guidance, refer to this tutorial on installing drawer fronts.

For the Optional Trim:

Cut the pieces as indicated in the cut list, each with a 45° mitered end. Secure the trim pieces to the side panels and drawer fronts using glue and 1″ brad nails.

This dresser is a fabulous addition to any room and can be finished in any way imaginable! Have any questions about the DIY Furniture Plans to Build a Dresser with Optional Trim? Leave a comment below!

Originally posted 2017-02-21 08:00:05.