How to Build a Dresser from Scratch: A Step-by-Step Guide

How to Build a Dresser from Scratch: A Step-by-Step Guide

Building a dresser from scratch may seem like a daunting task, but it’s actually a rewarding project that can be completed in a few days with the right tools and materials. This step-by-step guide will walk you through the entire process, from gathering your materials to finishing the dresser with stain or paint.

Materials You’ll Need

• Plywood: 2 sheets of 3/4-inch plywood, 1 sheet of 1/4-inch plywood
• Dowels: 12 rods of 1/4-inch by 1/4-inch by 36-inch softwood square dowels
• Softwood: 4 pieces of one-by-eight by 8-foot softwood common board
• Hardwood: 1 piece of one-by-ten by 8-foot softwood common board or hardwood
• Drawer slides: 3 pairs of soft-close drawer slides, 18-inch
• Furniture legs: 4 wood furniture legs
• Furniture leg mounts: 4 metal furniture leg mounts
• Drawer pulls: 3 drawer pulls
• Veneer banding: 1 roll of hardwood veneer banding, matching
• Screws: 1 box of 1-1/4-inch pocket hole screws, 1 box of 1-inch screws, 1 box of 1-1/2-inch brads, 1 box of 3/4-inch brads
• Wood glue: 1 tube

Tools You’ll Need

• Electric drill
• Table saw
• Electric miter saw
• Electric or compressed air nailer
• Tape measure
• Square
• Pencil
• Pocket hole jig
• Bar clamps
• Clothes iron
• Utility knife

Step-by-Step Instructions

Building the Cabinet Box

1. Drill pocket holes on the side panels. Set the pocket hole jig for 3/4-inch-thick material and create four evenly spaced pocket holes along the shorter (19-inch) side of one of the side panels. Repeat on the other side of the panel.
2. Attach the side panels to the bottom. Place the bottom panel on the work surface with the finished surface facing down. Run a thin bead of wood glue along a shorter 19-inch edge of one of the side panels. Rest the side panel on top of the bottom piece so that they form an L-shape. Run pocket hole screws through the pocket holes. Repeat on the opposite side with the other side panel.
3. Attach the top to the side panels. Place the dresser top panel on the work surface with the finished surface facing down. Use a towel or cardboard underneath to prevent scratching the wood. Drive pocket screws through the pocket holes, using wood glue before driving the screws.
4. Attach the back to the cabinet. Turn the cabinet upside-down and square it out by measuring diagonally in both directions. Attach the back panel with 1-inch screws.

Building the Drawer Boxes

1. Dry-fit the drawer pieces. Lay out the drawer sides, front, and back for one drawer. The two side panels will be placed between and perpendicular to the front and back pieces. This will form the sides of the drawer box, minus the bottom and supporting cleats for now.
2. Join the drawer pieces. Run wood glue on the ends of the drawer pieces and hold the assembly together with two bar clamps. Tack the pieces together with the nailer.
3. Cut the drawer cleats. Cut the drawer cleats to size on the electric miter saw.
4. Add the drawer cleats. Attach the drawer cleats to the bottom of the drawer, flush with the bottom edges of the side pieces.
5. Add the drawer bottom. Rest the drawer bottom on top of the cleats.
6. Attach the drawer fronts. Screw the drawer front to the front of the drawer, keeping the bottom of the drawer front flush with the bottom of the drawer.

Adding Drawers to the Dresser

1. Attach the slides to the drawers. Press the release lever on one of the slides to separate the drawer side of the slide from the cabinet side. Measure up 1-1/4 inches from the bottom of the drawer and attach the drawer slide to the drawer, aligning the top of the slide with the mark.
2. Install the drawer slides in the cabinet. Install the cabinet-side slides at the marked positions.
3. Complete the other two drawers. Slide the top drawer into place and close it. Close the previous process with the other two drawers, working downward.

Finishing the Dresser

1. Attach the legs to the dresser. Screw the four triangular metal leg mounts to each of the four bottom corners of the dresser. Screw the furniture legs into the mounts.
2. Add veneer banding to the dresser. Heat up the clothes iron and unroll the veneer banding. Cut six sections to cover the raw edges of the plywood on the front of the dresser.
3. Stain or paint the dresser. Stain or paint the dresser before adding the fixtures.
4. Install the drawer pulls. Install the drawer pulls to the drawer fronts.

Troubleshooting Common Dresser Building Problems

• Drawers that don’t slide easily: Make sure the drawer slides are properly aligned and that the drawer bottom is not rubbing against the cabinet.
• Dresser that is not square: Check the diagonals of the dresser to make sure it is square. If not, adjust the legs or shims underneath the dresser.
• Veneer banding that is peeling: Make sure the veneer banding is properly glued and that the iron is hot enough when applying it.

Tips for a Custom Dresser

• Use different types of wood to create a unique look.
• Add decorative molding or trim to the dresser.
• Paint the dresser a unique color or design.
• Install drawers with different sizes or shapes.
• Add a mirror or other accessories to the dresser.