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Build a simple 3-drawer DIY dresser with these detailed plans and tutorial. It makes great project for a beginner-woodworker.

Brown 3-drawer DIY dresser with text overlay

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This simple unassuming dresser makes a great addition to any style of room.

Tylynn from Bitterroot DIY is on a spree to renovate her home and she is tackling her son’s room.

She completely overhauled his room from the accent wall to that door and now she is building all the furniture!

When she reached out to collaborate on this dresser, I was instantly drawn to the simplicity of it.

I promise it is a really simple build and even if you are a beginner woodworker just getting started, you will be able to build it!

Materials needed –

Lumber per the plans
Miter Saw
Kreg Jig. I use a K4 but any Kreg Jig will work too!
Circular saw
Kreg Rip cut
Table Saw (optional)
Wood glue
1¼” pocket hole screws
Finish nailer and 1¼” finish nails
15” drawer slides – 3 pairs

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Plans for the DIY Dresser –

This simple dresser uses basic boards and plywood which you should be able to easily buy from your local home improvement store.

You can get the plans by clicking below –

How to build the dresser

When you build this dresser, be sure to use an anti-tip kit to keep is safe and attached to the wall.

Tylynn has the step by step pictures of her building the dresser. I outline the process below.

Step 1 – Make Cuts

Cut the boards and the plywood per the plans.

See my tutorial on how to use a miter saw to accurately cut boards.

Cutting plywood –

I like to have larger sheets cut down to a reasonable size at the store (most stores will do that for you). Usually, it is to get it to fit in the car because they aren’t very accurate at the store.

At home, I use my circular saw with a Kreg Jig rip cut or a homemade straight edge jig to make smaller more accurate cuts. More details on that coming soon.

Of course, if you have a table saw, you can totally use that!

Step 2 – Build sides

Make pocket holes in the plywood and and attach to the 2×2 legs using pocket hole screws and wood glue to build the two sides.

Attach trim to the sides using wood glue and finish nails.

Step 3 – Add bottom

Build bottom using plywood and 1×2 and attach to both the sides.

scematic of adding bottom between the sides of a DIY dresser

Step 4 – Add rails and dividers

Attach the 1×2 rails and drawer dividers between the two sides to build the carcass of the dresser.

Schematic of attaching rails on DIY three drawer dresser

Step 5 – Build the drawers

Build the three drawers as per the plans and install them.

schematic of adding drawers to a DIY dresser

Nervous about building drawers? Take a look at my guide to building drawers for beginners.

Step 6 – Build and install top

Build the top using plywood and 1×2 boards and install by attaching with pocket hole screws and wood glue.

Of course, the top is installed with the drawers removed.

Step 7 – Finish

Paint or stain the dresser in the color of your choice.

If you decided to paint it, be sure to check out my guide to painting unfinished pine furniture to get long lasting results.

That’s it!

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Tylynn did an amazing job on this dresser.

I love the stain color she picked too!

Be sure to visit Tylynn’s blog where she shows you all the steps to build this dresser and shares many more pictures.

GET THE PRINTABLE PLANS

If you are ready to build the dresser, get the plans to build it below!

Thanks’ to Tylynn for collaborating on this project. Stop by Tylynn’s blog for all the building details and tips!

Happy building!

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