How to Build a Dresser
The easy way to build a dresser is to build it as a cabinet full of drawers: a plywood or melamine case, drawer boxes sized for side-mount slides, and separate drawer fronts screwed on at the end. With a cut list worked out first, it takes a weekend and a few sheets of board.
What you need
- 2–3 sheets of 3/4 in (18 mm) plywood or melamine for the case and fronts
- 1/2 in (12 mm) plywood for drawer boxes and 1/4 in (6 mm) for bottoms and the back
- One pair of side-mount ball-bearing slides per drawer
- Screws, glue, edge banding, handles and an anti-tip strap
1. Choose the size
Most dressers are 30–36 in tall and 16–20 in deep; one column of drawers is 30–40 in wide, two columns 60–72 in. See dresser dimensions. Graduate the drawers: shallow at the top, deeper at the bottom.
2. Build the case
- Cut two sides, a top, a bottom and a plinth.
- Join the top and bottom between the sides with screws and glue, or confirmat screws in melamine.
- Nail and glue the back on to square the case: check the diagonals first.
- Mark the slide positions on the inside of both sides from the bottom, so the left and right slides are level.
3. Make the drawer boxes
Each box is 1 in (25 mm) narrower than the opening for side-mount slides, about 1 in shorter than its opening's height, and as long as the slides. Butt the front and back between the sides, glue and screw, and nail a 1/4 in bottom underneath. Full details are in how to build drawers.
4. Fit slides and fronts
Screw the slides into the case on your marks, fix the drawer members to the boxes, and slide them in. Hold each drawer front in place with double-sided tape and spacers for even 3 mm (1/8 in) gaps, open the drawer and screw the front on from inside. Drill for the handles last.
5. Finish and anchor
Band or fill the edges, paint or finish, and fix the dresser to a wall stud with an anti-tip strap.
Our dresser plan sizes the case, every drawer box and every front from the width, height, depth and number of drawers you type:
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest way to build a dresser?
Build the case like a frameless cabinet from 3/4 in plywood or melamine, use side-mount ball-bearing slides, make simple butt-jointed drawer boxes, and screw on separate drawer fronts.
How much does it cost to build a dresser?
Mostly two or three sheets of board and a set of slides per drawer. Building costs less than a solid wood dresser, but slides and handles add up, so count them before you start.
What size should a dresser be?
30–36 in (76–91 cm) tall and 16–20 in (41–51 cm) deep, 30–40 in wide for one column of drawers or 60–72 in for two. See dresser dimensions.
How do I keep a dresser from tipping?
Fix it to the wall with an anti-tip strap or bracket into a stud. A dresser with its drawers open tips forward easily.