Build an Open Bookcase with Drawers

A Beautiful Bookcase for Any Space: DIY Furniture Plans

This bookcase is another super-easy build… The DIY furniture plans to build an Open Bookcase with Drawers feature a solid wood face frame over a plywood carcass with two drawers in the middle. The drawers slide on their corresponding shelves (no drawer slides to install). This inexpensive beauty can be finished any way you wish, and can be competed in a weekend.

Materials:

• 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws (<– affiliate link)
• 1-1/2″ brad nails
• 1-3/4″ brad nails
• Edge banding (<– affiliate link)
• 4 – Cabinet Pulls
• Wood glue
• Sandpaper (100, 150, 220 grits)
• Finishing supplies (primer & paint, or stain, sealer)
• Paste Wax (<– affiliate link)

Tools Needed:

• Table saw or circular saw
• Miter saw
• Drill
• Pocket hole jig
• Iron and cutter for edge banding
• Pneumatic brad nailer with compressor
• Drill bit to drill holes for cabinet pulls

Lumber:

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

Cut List:

• 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 14-1/4″ x 72″ – Sides
• 6 – 3/4″ plywood at 14-1/4″ x 28-1/2″ – Shelves
• 4 – 1×3 at 28-1/2″ – Upper & Lower Stretchers
• 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 14-1/4″ x 30″ – Top
• 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 5-5/8″ x 28-1/2″ – Drawer Opening Back
• 2 – 1×2 at 72-3/4″ – Face Frame
• 2 – 1×3 at 27″ – Face Frame
• 4 – 1×6 at 12″ – Drawer Box Sides
• 4 – 1×6 at 26-7/8″ – Drawer Box Front & Back
• 2 – 1/4″ plywood at 12-1/2″ x 25-7/8″ – Drawer Box Bottom

Click on the drawings for a larger view!

Edge banding will be applied to the exposed edges of the plywood prior to assembly.

Step One

Cut the pieces for the sides and shelves. With the pocket hole jig set for 3/4″ material, drill pocket holes in each side edge of the shelf pieces. Secure the shelves to the sides using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Step Two

Cut the pieces for the upper and lower stretchers, and drill pocket holes in each end. Secure the lower stretchers to the bottom under the lowest shelf using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Secure the upper stretchers to the top of the sides using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

 

Step Three

Cut the piece for the top. The top will be flush with the sides and the upper stretchers. Secure the top in place using glue and 1-3/4″ brad nails.

Step Four

Cut the pieces for the drawer opening back and drill pocket holes along each long edge. There don’t have to be as many pocket holes drilled as shown in the drawing but they do have to be staggered so they don’t interfere with each other when secured. Secure in place using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Step Five

Cut the pieces for the drawer spacers and secure in place using glue and 1-1/2″ brad nails.

Step Six

Cut the pieces for the face frame. Drill pocket holes in each end of the 1×3 pieces, and assemble the frame using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws. Secure the face frame to the front of the cabinet using glue and 1-3/4″ brad nails.

Step Seven

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 side 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 Eight

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 Nine

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.

Finish the bookcase and drawers as desired. Install the cabinet pulls on the drawers then apply a coat of paste wax to the bottom edges of the drawers so they slide easier in the openings!

The bookcase is the perfect piece for any room. Casters can also be added to the bottom for portability!

Here are a few other plans for projects with drawers:

• Whimsical Chest of Drawers
• Faux Apothecary Cabinet

Have any questions about the DIY furniture plans to build an Open Bookcase with Drawers? Leave a comment below!

Originally posted 2016-04-14 08:00:18.