Build a Dresser with Side Storage

DIY Furniture Plans – A New Plan to Build a Piece with Plenty of Storage

This is the greatest plan to help with any storage issues, mainly in a bedroom… The DIY furniture plans to build a Dresser with Side Storage features four large drawers with two narrow bookcases on each side. This piece would serve well in a kiddo’s room (properly secured to the wall, of course) and is a really easy build!

Materials:

• 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws (<– affiliate link!)
• 1-1/4″ brad nails
• 2″ brad nails
• Edge banding, optional
• 4 sets of 16″ drawer slides
• 4 cabinet pulls
• Wood glue
• Sandpaper (100, 150, 220 grits)
• Finishing supplies (primer & paint, or stain, sealer)

Tools Needed:

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

Lumber:

• 2 – 1×2 at 6′
• 1 – 1×3 at 6′
• 1 – 1×4 at 8′
• 9 – 1×6 at 8′
• 2 – 1×8 at 6′
• 1 – 4′ x 8′ sheet of 1/4″ plywood
• 1 – 4′ x 8′ sheet of 3/4″ plywood

Cut List:

• 4 – 1×6 at 35-1/4″ – Bookcase Sides
• 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 16-1/2″ x 32-3/4″ – Bookcase Back
• 2 – 1×4 (ripped to 3-1/4″ wide) at 16-1/2″ – Lower Stretchers (Bookcase)
• 1 – 1×6 (ripped to 4″ wide) at 16-1/2″ – Bottom (Bookcase)
• 3 – 1×6 (ripped to 4-3/4″” wide) at 16-1/2″ – Shelves (Bookcase)
• 2 – 1×4 (ripped to 3-1/4″ wide) at 24″ – Lower Stretchers (Dresser)
• 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 16-1/2″ x 24″ – Bottom (Dresser)
• 2 – 1×3 at 24″ – Back Stretchers
• 4 – 1×2 at 24″ – Front Stretchers
• 1 – 1/4″ plywood at 26″ x 33″ – Back
• 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 18-3/4″ x 35″ – Top
• 8 – 1×6 (ripped to xx” wide) at 16″ – Drawer Box Sides
• 8 – 1×6 (ripped to xx” wide) at 21-1/2″ – Drawer Box Front & Back
• 4 – 1/4″ plywood at 15″ x 22″ – Drawer Box Bottom
• 4 – 1×8 (ripped to 7″ wide) at 25″ – Drawer Fronts

Notes about the project:

Edge banding will be applied to the exposed edges of the plywood prior to assembly. Edge banding will only be used on the top.

Step One

Cut the pieces for the sides and back of the bookcase. With the pocket hole jig set for 3/4″ material, drill pocket holes along each long edge of the back panel. Secure the back to the sides using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Step Two

Cut the pieces for the lower bookcase stretchers and drill pocket holes in each end. Secure to the sides using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Step Three

Cut the pieces for the bookcase bottom and drill pocket holes in all four edges. Secure the bottom to the sides, back and lower stretcher using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Step Four

Cut the pieces for the bookcase shelves and drill pocket holes in one long edge as well as each side edge. Secure the shelves to the sides and back using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Step Five

Cut the pieces for the lower dresser stretchers and drill pocket holes in each end. Secure to the sides using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Step Six

Cut the piece for the bookcase bottom and drill pocket holes in all four edges. Secure the bottom to the sides, back and lower stretcher using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Step Seven

Cut the pieces for the back and front dresser stretchers, and drill pocket holes in each end. Secure to the sides as shown in the drawing using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Step Eight

Cut the piece for the dresser back. Secure in place using glue and 1-1/4″ brad nails.

Step Nine

Cut the piece for the top. The sides and back will be flush with the dresser/bookcases, and the top will overhang by 3/4″. Secure in place using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Step Ten

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 Eleven

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 Twelve

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 flush with the front edge of the sides.

Step Thirteen

Cut the pieces for the drawer fronts. The drawer fronts will overlap each opening by 1/2″. Mark the position for the drawer pulls and drill the holes. 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.

Finish as desired.

This dresser would also be a great piece in a dining room to store china and linens, as well as in an entryway! Have any questions about the DIY furniture plans to build a Dresser with Side Storage? Leave a comment below!

Originally posted 2016-06-08 08:00:40.