DIY Modern Dresser

Learn how to build this DIY Modern Dresser with free plans and a how-to video by Shanty2Chic! This is an easy build, makes the perfect TV stand and doubles as a dresser with tons of storage space!

This DIY Modern Dresser has been a long time coming! My son had a set of DIY Lockers that I built him for his “dresser” but the organization was out of control! He told me he would rather have a dresser with drawers and a spot for his game consoles, so that’s exactly what he got! I recently built him this DIY Modern Full Size Bed so I used that as my guide for the style of this dresser!

Check out the how-to video below to watch!

Make sure to download the free pritnable plans!

Click here to jump to the free printable plans!

Tools:

• Miter Saw
• Drill
• Kreg Jig
• Brad Nailer
• Sander
• Stapler (optional)
• Table Saw (optional)

Supplies:

• 8 – 2x2x8 Common Board (I ripped from 2×4 studs)
• 3 – 1x4x8 Common Board
• 2 – 3/4″x48″x96″ Hardwood Plywood
• 1 – 1/2″x48″x96″ Hardwood Plywood
• 1 – 1/4″x48″x96″ Hardwood Plywood
• 1 1/4″ Pocket Hole Screws
• 2 1/2″ Pocket Hole Screws
• 1 1/4″ Brad Nails
• 2 1/2″ Finish Nails
• 5/8″ Staples (optional)
• Wood Glue
• 8 Pulls
• 4 Legs
• 4 Hinges

How to Build a DIY Modern Dresser

Building the Cabinet Frame

Step 1:

Cut the vertical dividers and cleats to size. Drill 3/4″ pocket holes at both ends of each divider. Attach the top two cleats to two of the dividers with 1 1/4″ brad nails and wood glue.

Step 2:

Cut the bottom cabinet board to size. Attach the vertical dividers to the bottom board with 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws and wood glue.

Step 3:

Attach the bottom cleats to the middle dividers with 1 1/4″ brad nails and wood glue.

Step 4:

Cut the cabinet top piece to size and attach it to the cabinet dividers with 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws and wood glue.

Step 5:

Cut the shelf pieces to size and drill 3/4″ pocket holes on the ends. Attach them to the inside of the cabinet with 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws and wood glue. Note the inset and overhang on the front and back.

Step 6:

Cut the shelf trim to size and attach it to the front and back of the shelves with 1″ finish nails and wood glue.

Step 7:

Cut the face frame pieces to size and drill 1 1/2″ pocket holes according to the cut list.

• I used our new favorite pocket jig, the Kreg Jig 720 Pro. You can find an amazon link here!

Attach the pieces together with 2 1/2″ pocket hole screws and wood glue. Build two face frames.

Step 8:

Attach a face frame to the front and back of the cabinet. They should line up flush with the top of the cabinet and the pocket holes should face inside.

Step 9:

Cut the side trim pieces to size and attach them to the sides of the cabinet with 2 1/2″ finish nails and wood glue. They should line up flush with the top and bottom face frames.

Building the Drawers:

Step 1:

A. Cut the drawer front and side pieces to size. Attach them together with 1 1/4″ brad nails and wood glue.

B. Cut the drawer bottoms to size and attach them to the bottom of the drawers with 1 1/4″ brad nails and wood glue.

Step 2:

Install the drawers with drawer slides. You can get the detailed instructions for the install in our video!

Step 3:

Cut the drawer faces to size and attach them to the front of each drawer with 1 1/4″ brad nails, from the back of the drawer and into the back of the drawer face. There should be a 1/8″ gap around all sides

Building the Doors

Step 1:

Cut the door frame pieces to size. Drill 3/4″ pocket holes on both ends of the long boards. Attach them to the short boards with 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws and wood glue.

Step 2:

Cut the plywood for the back of the doors to size. Attach them to the back of the door frames with 5/8″ staples and wood glue.

The Finish!

Step 1:

Cut the side top trim pieces to size and attach them to the sides of the top plywood sheet with 1 1/4″ brad nails and wood glue. Measure and cut the fron and back trim pieces to size and attach them the same way.

Step 2:

Fill all your nail holes, sand it down and add a finish!

Step 3:

I added modern hairpin legs, bar pulls and exposed hinges for the doors.

Make sure to share your builds with us on social media and use #shanty2chic so we can share them too! Happy Building!