Learn how to build a DIY Dresser with eight drawers! This is an easy build with free plans and how-to tutorial by Shanty2Chic!

I am still on a mission to fill my new home with custom built furniture that I’ve designed and built! My next project to tackle was a much needed dresser for my master bedroom. I am newly married and creating more storage for our clothes was a priority! The dresser I built for my daughter was a fun and easy Ikea Hack. If you missed it just click here to check it out. I was hoping to hack another dresser for myself because dressers are not my favorite furniture piece to build. They take a lot of time and effort and the drawers can be tedious and frustrating. However, I wanted a specific style and size to fit the wall in my room so, I designed and built my own! 

I’m so excited to have the storage space and I love how custom it looks in my space! It’s a long build but it’s pretty simple! You can click here to watch me build it on Instagram and follow along below for the step-by-step instructions!

• You can watch the build reel on our Instagram here

How to Build a DIY Dresser

Materials

Tools:

• Kreg Jig Pocket Hole Jig
• Miter Saw
• Drill
• Brad Nailer
• Pin Nailer (can sub with Brad Nailer)
• Table Saw (optional)
• Sander

Supplies:

• 2 – 48″ x 96″ x 3/4″ Hardwood Plywood
• 1 – 48″ x 96″ x 1/2″ Hardwood Plywood
• 1 – 48″ x 48″ x 1/2″ Hardwood Plywood
• 1 – 48″ x 96″ x 1/4″ Hardwood Plywood
• 2 – 1x3x8 Pine or Whitewood/Common Boards
• 1 – 1x4x8 Pine or Whitewood/Common Boards
• 1 – 1x6x8 Pine or Whitewood/Common Boards
• 3 – 2x4x8 Framing Lumber
• 1 1/4″ Pocket Hole Screws
• 2 1/2″ Pocket Hole Screws
• 1″ Pin Nails (optional for Pin Nailer)
• 2″ Brad Nails
• 1″ Brad Nails
• 1 1/4″ Brad Nails
• 1″ Wood Screws
• Wood Glue
• 6 – Pulls (I spray painted the hardware black)
• 6 pair – 16″ Drawer Slides

Building the Dresser Frame

Step 1: Assembling the Panels

Cut the dresser frame panels according to the cut list and drill 3/4″ pocket holes into both ends of the vertical panels. I used my Kreg Foreman to drill the pocket holes in the plywood panels. You can use the Kreg Jig 720 Pro, as well.

• Find the Kreg Jig 720 Pro (our most used Kreg Jig model) here
• Find the Kreg Foreman here

Attach the top and bottom panels to the vertical panels with 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws and wood glue.

Step 2: Bottom Frame

Cut the bottom frame pieces to size and drill 1 1/2″ pocket holes on one edge of all the boards and both ends of the short boards. I used my Kreg Jig 720 Pro to drill the pocket holes.

• Find the Kreg Jig 720 Pro here

Attach with 2 1/2″ pocket hole screws and wood glue.

Step 3: Attaching the Bottom Frame to the Dresser

Attach the bottom frame to the bottom of the dresser with 2 1/2″ pocket hole screws and wood glue.

Decorative Trim

Step 4: Vertical Trim

Measure and cut the vertical stick trim to size. Attach it, flush with the edges of the plywood side panels, using 1″ pin nails and wood glue. You can purchase a 1/4″ lattice trim instead of ripping your own.

Measure and cut the horizontal trim to size and attach the same way.

Drawers

Step 5: Outside Drawer Spacers

Cut the outside drawer spacers and attach them to the outside dresser panels, according to the build diagram, with 2″ brad nails and wood glue.

Step 6: Inside Drawer Spacers

Cut the inside drawer spacers to size and attach them with 1″ brad nails and wood glue. These are just strips that I ripped from the 2×4’s.

Step 7: Building the Drawers

Measure the space between each outside and inside drawer spacer. Subtract 1″ to allow for the slides and cut the front and back drawer frame pieces to size.

Cut the side drawer frame pieces to size and attach them together with 1″ brad nails and wood glue.

Cut the drawer bottoms to size and attach it to the drawer frame with 1″ brad nails and wood glue.

Step 8: Installing the Drawers

Install the drawer slides, according to the instructions.

• You can find the drawer slides I used here

Next, install the dresser drawers.

Back Supports

Step 9: Attaching the Back Supports

Measure and cut the back support pieces to size and drill 3/4″ pocket holes on both mitered edges of the boards. Attach them to the inside, back of the dresser with 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws and wood glue.

Face Frame

Step 10: Outside Face Frame

Measure and cut the face frame pieces to size. Drill 3/4″ pocket holes at both ends of the vertical face frame pieces. Attach them to the top and bottom face frame pieces with 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws and wood glue.

Step 11: Face Frame Dividers

Measure and cut the horizontal frame pieces to size and drill 3/4″ pocket holes on both ends of each piece. Attach them to the face frame with 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws and wood glue.

Note: measure your dresser to get the exact spacing for the horizontal pieces.

Step 12: Attach the Face Frame

Attach the face frame to the front of the dresser with 1 1/4″ brad nails and wood glue. The outside of the face frame should be flush with the outside edges of the dresser.

Drawer Faces

Step 13: Installing the Drawer Faces

Measure and cut the drawer faces to size and subtract 1/4″ from the width AND length of each drawer opening to allow for the 1/8″ inset around each drawer. Attach each drawer face to the front of each drawer frame with 2, 1 1/4″ brad nails to hold in place, then follow with 1″ wood screws from the inside of the drawer into the drawer face.

I used my Kreg Drawer Front Mounting Jig to attach the drawer faces. The clamps help to align the drawer perfectly while keeping it in place as you attach. I used the shims as a guide for the 1/8″ reveal around each drawer face.

• Find the Kreg Drawer Front Mounting Jig here

The Finish

Step 14: Fill Nail Holes

Fill any exposed nail holes with wood filler.

Step 15: Sanding

Sand down the entire dresser with an 80 grit sandpaper, followed by a 120-grit and 220-grit until it’s nice and smooth.

Step 16: Add a Finish

I chose to paint my dresser Ultra White by Sherwin Williams Door and Trim paint. It took about 3 coats.

• You can find the Door and Trim paint we love here

Step 17: Hardware

I used the new Kreg KHI-XLPULL Cabinet Hardware Jig Pro to drill all of the holes for my pulls! I absolutely love this new tool! It allows for up to 12″ pull installation and makes marking for each of the handles so simple. 

• Find the Kreg Cabinet Hardware Jig Pro here

You just set the width of the drawer pull with the marks on the tool, mark center on the drawer face and drill your holes. The measuring scale and the end stops help to align the pulls perfectly!

I spray painted the pull hardware with black spray paint.

• You can find the pulls that I ordered here.

You can add a 1/4″ plywood panel on the back, if you prefer! Make it your own!

I am so excited to have all of this extra storage with my new chest of drawers! It’s a simple dresser but the hardware really gives it a custom look!

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

Happy Building!

Check out some of our other DIY Dresser Builds!

DIY 6 Drawer Dresser

Modern Dresser

Ikea Malm Dresser Hack