DIY Plans to Build a Plain Dresser

An Easy to Build Piece of Furniture!

When I first started woodworking, the first two projects I took on were dressers for my kids. I was (and still am) so proud of those pieces because I worked so hard to build each of my kiddos a piece of furniture that will last a lifetime! I’m proud to say that after several years, the dressers still look like I just built them!

At any rate, today I’m sharing free DIY woodworking plans to build a plain dresser that can be finished however you choose! A plain dresser is never just “plain”, is it? They can be painted or stained, maybe even “dressed up” with fancy hardware or wood cutouts! This dresser is the perfect blank canvas!

This plan can also be used to create a DIY built in dresser by adding plain bookcases to the sides and a wall-mounted cabinet or shelf at the top!

Materials:

• 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws
• 2-1/2″ pocket hole screws
• 1-1/4″ brad nails
• Edge banding, if desired (<– affiliate link!)
• 4 sets of 12″ drawer slides
• 4 sets of cabinet pulls
• Finishing supplies

Lumber:

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

Cut List:

• 4 – 2×2 at 33-1/4″ – Legs
• 4 – 1×2 at 13″ – Side Frames
• 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 13″ x 29-3/4″ – Side Panels
• 2 – 2×2 at 31″ – Back Frame & Front Stretcher
• 4 – 1×2 at 31″ – Back Frame & Front Stretchers
• 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 29″ x 31″ – Back Panel
• 1 – 1×2 at 8-1/2″ – Drawer Divider
• 1 – 1×2 at 13″ – Drawer Slide Support
• 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 16-1/2″ x 35″ – Top
• 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 10-1/2″ x 12-5/8″ – Upper Drawer Bottoms
• 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 10-1/2″ x 28-1/2″ – Lower Drawer Bottoms
• 8 – 3/4″ plywood at 7″ x 10-1/2″ – Drawer Sides
• 4 – 3/4″ plywood at 7″ x 14-1/8″ – Upper Drawer Front & Back
• 4 – 3/4″ plywood at 7″ x 30″ – Lower Drawer Front & Back
• 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 8-1/4″ x 14-7/8″ – Upper Drawer Fronts
• 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 9-1/4″ x 30-3/4″ – Lower Drawer Fronts

 

Edit:

Cut diagram for plywood –

Step One

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

Cut the pieces for the legs, the side frames, and the side panels. Drill pocket holes as shown, then assemble using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws. Orient the pocket holes on the frame pieces so they face out accordingly and won’t have to be filled!

Step Two

Cut the pieces for the back frame and panel. Drill pocket holes as shown, then assemble using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws. Orient the pocket holes on the frame pieces so they face out accordingly. Attach to the legs using 2-1/2″ pocket hole screws through the top frame piece, and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws through the lower frame piece.

Step Three

Cut the pieces for the front stretchers and drill pocket holes in each end. Secure the 2×2 stretcher to the top of the legs as shown (with the pocket holes facing up) using glue and 2-1/2″ pocket hole screws. Secure the remaining 1×2 stretchers to the legs (with the pocket holes facing down) using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Step Four

Cut the pieces for the drawer divider and drawer slide support, and drill pocket holes in each end. Attach to the stretchers as shown (centered on the 2×2 stretcher and the upper 1×2 stretcher) using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Step Five

Cut the piece for the top. Position the top so that 1/2″ overhangs the front and sides, then secure using 1-1/4″ brad nails.

Step Six

Cut the pieces for the drawers. Drill pocket holes in each end of the side pieces, as well as all four edges of the bottom pieces. Assemble as shown using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws. Install the drawer slides according to the manufacturer’s instructions. My post on installing drawer slides will be quite helpful! Make any necessary adjustments.

Step Seven

Cut the pieces for the drawer fronts. See my post on installing drawer fronts. Install the cabinet hardware.

Finish as desired!

This is a very easy project using the free DIY woodworking plans to build a plain dresser. Got a project you’ve completed using my plans? Share photos with me at cher {at} designsbystudioc {dot} com or designsbystudioc {at} gmail {dot} com. I would love to feature your build on DbSC!

Originally posted 2013-07-17 08:00:23.