DIY Plans to Build a LaCrosse Dresser

LaCrosse Dresser: A Fun DIY Challenge

This beautiful dresser is everything you need… Big, wide drawers with lots of storage, chunky wood handles, and super-easy to build! The DIY plans to build a LaCrosse dresser are suitable for all skill levels and can be completed over a couple of weekends. As a plus, it can be finished however you choose!

Materials:

• 1-1/4” pocket hole screws
• 3/4″ brad nails
• 1-1/2” brad nails
• 2” screws
• 8 sets of 16” drawer slides (<–affiliate link!)
• Edge banding, optional (<– affiliate link!)
• Sandpaper (80, 120, 220 grits)
• Finishing supplies (primer and paint or stain and sealer)

Lumber:

• 3 – 1×2 at 8’
• 4 – 1×3 at 8’
• 2 – 2×4 at 8’
• 2 – 4’ x 8’ sheets of 1/4” plywood
• 2 – 4’ x 8’ sheets of 3/4″ plywood
• 6 – 3/4” square dowels at 3’

Cut List:

• 4 – 2×4 at 35-1/4” – Legs
• 8 – 1×3 at 12” – Side Framing
• 2 – 1/4″ plywood at 12” x 31-1/4” – Side Panels
• 2 – 1×3 at 59” – Back Framing
• 1 – 1×2 at 26-1/4” – Back Framing
• 1 – 1/4″ plywood at 31-1/4” x 59” – Back Panel
• 2 – 1×2 at 59” – Front Framing
• 1 – 1×2 at 28-1/4” – Front Framing
• 3 – 1×3 at 16-1/2” – Center Drawer Slide Supports
• 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 19” x 62” – Top
• 12 – 3/4″ plywood at 7-1/2” x 16” – Drawer Box Sides
• 12 – 3/4″ plywood at 7-1/2” x 26-1/4” – Drawer Box Front & Back
• 6 – 1/4″ plywood at 16” x 27-3/4” – Drawer Box Bottom
• 6 – 3/4” plywood at 10-1/4” x 29-5/16” – Drawer Fronts

Notes About the Project:

• Edge banding should be applied to the exposed edges of the drawer fronts and top prior to installation
• Sand all of the parts before assembly – it makes finishing easier
• The side panels can be painted, stained or covered with peel-and-stick wallpaper, if desired
• The spacing on the side framing and center drawer supports looks off but trust me on this – It is to accommodate the large drawer fronts so they are spaced evenly

Step One

Cut the pieces for the side legs and framing. With the pocket hole jig set for 3/4″ material, drill pocket holes in each end of the 1×3 framing pieces. Secure the framing pieces to the legs using glue and 1-1/4” pocket hole screws. The back faces of the framing pieces will be flush with the inside faces of the legs.

Step Two

Cut the pieces for the side panels. Spread glue on the outside faces of the framing pieces and position the panels on top so that the top is flush with the top framing piece. Secure in place using 3/4″ brad nails.

Step Three

Cut the pieces for the back framing and drill pocket holes in each end of each piece. Secure the 1×3 pieces to the legs using glue and 1-1/4” pocket hole screws positioning them 1/4″ back from the outside face of the legs to allow for the back panel. Secure the 1×2 piece in the center of the 1×3 pieces also using glue and 1-1/4” pocket hole screws.

Step Four

Cut the piece for the back panel. Spread glue on the outside faces of the framing pieces and position the panel on top so that the top is flush with the top framing piece. Secure in place using 3/4″ brad nails.

Step Five

Cut the pieces for the front framing pieces and drill pocket holes in each end of each piece. Secure the longer 1×2 pieces to the legs using glue and 1-1/4” pocket hole screws positioning them 3/4″ back from the outside face of the legs to allow for the drawer fronts. Secure the 1×2 piece in the center of the longer 1×2 pieces also using glue and 1-1/4” pocket hole screws.

Step Six

Cut the pieces for the center drawer slide supports and drill pocket holes in each end of each piece. Start by securing the bottom support using glue and 1-1/4” pocket hole screws locating the piece 1-1/4” up from the bottom of the front framing. The support pieces should be centered on the front and back 1×2 framing. Continue with the remaining pieces spacing them as shown in the drawing.

Step Seven

Cut the piece for the top. There will be no overhang over the sides and front. Secure the top in place using glue and 1-1/2” brad nails, using long clamps to hold it in place until the glue dries if necessary.

Step Eight

Cut the pieces for the drawer boxes, and drill pocket holes in each end of the longer pieces. Assemble the drawer boxes using glue and 1-1/4” pocket hole screws.

Cut the pieces for the drawer box bottoms. Secure the bottoms to the drawer box frames using glue and 3/4” brad nails.

Install the drawer slides according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This tutorial on how to install drawer slides will be helpful!

Insert the drawers into the cabinet.

Step Nine

Cut the pieces for the drawer fronts. There will be a 1/8” gap between the drawer fronts top to bottom, as well as in the center with the lower drawer fronts flush with the bottom of the front framing.

Starting with the lower drawer fronts, use a shim to leave a 1/8” gap at the sides and center, and clamp the drawer front to the bottom framing. Secure the drawer front to the drawer box using glue and 1-1/2” brad nails. Open the drawer and drive 1-1/2” screws through the inside front of the drawer box into the back of the drawer front.

Install the center drawer fronts in the same manner, this time with additional shims to allow a 1/8” gap between it and the lower drawer front. Secure to the drawer box using glue and 1-1/2” brad nails, then open the drawer and secure the front from the inside.

Install the upper drawer fronts in the same manner. The upper drawer fronts should have a larger gap between them and the top so that they open easily.

Step Ten

Cut the pieces for the drawer handles. Pre-drill a hole in the center of each of the smaller pieces so that when installed, the screws do not split the piece. The depth only needs to be a about 3/4″.

Secure the longer piece of the handle to the top of two of the smaller pieces using glue and 1-1/2” brad nails. Paint or stain the handles as desired.

Determine the positioning on the drawer fronts, then pre-drill a hole through the drawer front into the drawer front. Drive a 2” screw from the inside of the drawer box through the front into the back side of the shorter pieces for the handles.

Finish the dresser as desired!

How’s that for a fabulous project? Have questions about the DIY plans to build a LaCrosse dresser? Leave a comment below!