DIY Plans to Build a Mismatched Dresser

A Roomy Dresser Blending Different Species of Wood

This dresser has so much style! The DIY plans to build a Mismatched Dresser feature seven drawers in four different sizes, and a cubby with two drawers on the bottom. The dresser can be used as a media stand, a sideboard, or as storage in a bathroom! The dresser is a really easy build, and it would look fabulous in any room!

Materials:

• 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws (<– affiliate link!)
• 1-1/4″ brad nails
• 1-1/2″ screws
• Edge banding, optional
• 7 sets of 14″ Drawer slides
• Cabinet pulls
• Wood glue
• Sandpaper (100, 150, 220 grits)
• Finishing supplies (primer & paint, or stain, sealer)

Lumber:

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

Cut List:

• 4 – 2×2 at 4-3/4″ – Legs
• 3 – 1×2 at 12-1/2″ – Base Frame
• 2 – 1×2 at 45″ – Base Frame
• 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 15-1/2″ x 46-1/2″ – Bottom
• 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 15-1/2″ x 31-3/4″ – Sides
• 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 31″ x 46-1/2″ – Back
• 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 3-1/2″ x 12″ – Lower Divider
• 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 14-3/4″ x 46-1/2″ – Shelves
• 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 7″ x 14-3/4″ – Middle Dividers
• 3 – 3/4″ plywood at 10-1/2″ x 14-3/4″ – Upper Dividers
• 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 15-1/2″ x 48″ – Top
• 3 – 3/4″ plywood at 7-1/2″ x 12-1/2″ – Drawer Box Bottom 1
• 6 – 3/4″ plywood at 8-1/2″ x 12-1/2″ – Drawer Box Sides 1
• 6 – 3/4″ plywood at 8-1/2″ x 9″ – Drawer Box Front & Back 1
• 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 11-3/4″ x 12-1/2″ – Drawer Box Bottom 2
• 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 8-1/2″ x 12-1/2″ – Drawer Box Sides 2
• 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 8-1/2″ x 13-1/4″ – Drawer Box Front & Back 2
• 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 12-1/2″ x 13-1/2″ – Drawer Box Bottom 3
• 4 – 3/4″ plywood at 5-1/2″ x 12-1/2″ – Drawer Box Sides 3
• 4 – 3/4″ plywood at 5-1/2″ x 15″ – Drawer Box Front & Back 3
• 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 10-1/2″ x 12-1/2″ – Drawer Box Bottom 4
• 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 5-1/2″ x 12-1/2″ – Drawer Box Sides 4
• 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 5-1/2″ x 12″ – Drawer Box Front & Back 4
• 3 – 3/4″ plywood at 9-3/4″ x 10-1/4″ – Drawer Front 1
• 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 10-1/4″ x 14″ – Drawer Front 2
• 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 6-3/4″ x 15-3/4″ – Drawer Front 3
• 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 6-3/4″ x 12-3/4″ – Drawer Front 4
• 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 11-3/4″ x 21-1/4″ – Doors

Step One

Cut the pieces for the base. With the pocket hole jig set for 3/4″ material, drill pocket holes in each end of the framing pieces. Secure the framing pieces to the legs using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Step Two

Cut the pieces for the bottom and sides. Drill pocket holes in each end of the bottom. Secure the sides to the bottom using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Position the side and bottom assembly on the base frame securing the frame using glue and 1-1/2″ screws.

Step Three

Cut the pieces for the back. Drill pocket holes in the side and bottom edges. Secure the back to the sides and bottom using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Step Four

Cut the piece for the lower divider and drill pocket holes in one shorter edge only. Secure the divider to the bottom using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Cut the piece for the middle shelf and drill pocket holes in the side and back edges. Position the shelf on top of the lower divider. Secure the shelf to the sides and back using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws. Add a couple of brad nails through the shelf into the top of the lower divider.

Step Five

Cut the pieces for the middle dividers and drill pocket holes in one long edge. Secure the dividers to the middle shelf using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Cut the piece for the upper shelf and drill pocket holes in the side and back edges. Position the shelf on top of the middle dividers. Secure the shelf to the sides and back using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws. Add a couple of brad nails through the shelf into the top of the middle dividers.

Step Six

Cut the pieces for the upper dividers and drill pocket holes in one long edge. Secure the dividers to the upper shelf using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Step Seven

Cut the piece for the top. Secure the top using glue and 1-1/4″ brad nails through the top piece into the sides, back, and upper dividers.

Step Eight

Cut the pieces for the drawer boxes #1. Drill pocket holes in all four edges of the bottom as well as each end of the sides. Assemble the drawer boxes as shown 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 sides and dividers. Take a look at this easy tutorial on installing drawer slides! Make any necessary adjustments.

Step Nine

Cut the pieces for drawer box #2 and assemble it in the same manner as drawer boxes #1.

Step Ten

Cut the pieces for drawer boxes #3 and assemble them in the same manner as drawer boxes #1.

Step Eleven

Cut the pieces for drawer box #4 and assemble it in the same manner as drawer boxes #1.

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.

 

Step Thirteen

Cut the pieces for the doors. There will be a 1/8″ gap around all sides of the doors in the openings. Install the hinges on the doors, then install the doors in the openings.

Finish as desired, then install the cabinet pulls.

I think the dresser would look awesome painted white with a different species of wood for each drawer front and door. The dresser can also be painted with a different color on each door or even a different pattern stenciled on each door. The possibilities are endless! Leave a comment below with questions about the plans to build a mismatched dresser!

Originally posted 2014-10-31 08:00:19.