Looking to build your own dresser? You’ve come to the right place.
Here are 17 of my favorite DIY dressers with plans. You could be building your own this weekend!
Dressers are literally my favorite thing to build.
If you break it down into its simplest form, dressers are basically just several smaller boxes (drawers) installed inside a bigger box (dresser body).
So if you can build a box, you can build a dresser!
And there are so many styles and ways to combine these boxes to build your own custom dresser project to fit your taste and your space.
I know the thought of building drawers can seem intimidating. So, I’ve got you covered with a complete step by step drawer building series to walk you through it (including detailed videos!):
What’s the best type of wood to build dressers?
My favorite material to build dressers with is plywood. Why?
Because plywood is strong, finishes well, is resistant to movement, and is (inch for inch) MUCH MUCH MUCH cheaper than the equivalent amount of solid lumber.
I recommend using a high quality hardwood cabinet grade plywood–something like birch, oak or maple. Learn how to choose the best plywood for your project here.
Here’s a popular DIY dresser design made from birch plywood.
Plywood is easy to work with and eliminates the need to glue up large panels to make the dresser body or drawer boxes.
This saves SO much time…and mess.
Plywood is also more stable than solid wood, so wood movement isn’t as big of a concern.
You can combine plywood with solid wood pieces in your dresser build to add details like framing, trim, or legs as well.
If you’re new to working with plywood for furniture builds, check out this guide on how to cut down plywood sheets.
And check out this guide to learn how to prevent tear out–those rough cuts that are common with plywood.
And you can check out this guide for how to cover plywood edges.
If you’d rather not use plywood, poplar or pine is a good choice for building DIY dressers, too. It’s durable and less expensive than other hardwoods.
But oak, walnut, and other common hardwood options work well, too.
What is a good size for a dresser?
Typically a dresser is around 16-22″ in depth.
Dresser heights usually vary from 28″ to 44″ tall. But some can be even taller.
Really tall dressers are usually referred to as a “chest of drawers” vs a “dresser,” though.
Dresser lengths can also vary greatly ranging from 30″ to 72″ long.
Obviously, the dimensions of dressers can vary, so you should choose a size that best suits your space.
Now on to what you came here for. I know you’ll find one or two you’ll want build yourself.
17 DIY Dressers You Can Build
DIY Modern Dresser
Mid-century modern style dressers are my favorite style to build!
So, clearly, when a friend asked me to build a DIY mid-century modern dresser, that was a project I could get excited about!
I have the build plans and and tutorial for you to build this Mid Century 6 drawer dresser here
And you can find the 4 piece Mid Century Modern matching bedroom set plans here.
Simple 3-Drawer Dresser
For this one, I stuck with a smaller, simpler dresser design.
This size is perfect for a small bedroom, or a guest room, or can even be used as a large nightstand or an entryway table.
Get the build plans and tutorial here.
If you know me, you know I love building matching furniture sets and you can find the matching bed plans here and matching nightstand plans here.
Matching 6 & 9 Drawer Dressers
This pair of matching dressers might be my favorite dresser builds yet! I built the 6 drawer dresser first.
And I loved it so much that I built a matching 9 drawer version!
These pieces are part of a 4 part matching set with tons of storage. Check out the matching simple storage bedroom set collection here.
DIY Dresser Desk
Need a dresser AND a desk?? Build an all-in-one with this genius DIY Dresser Desk with pull-out storage seat!
This dual piece of furniture is perfect for small bedrooms, dorm rooms, or guest bedrooms.
Build your own with the plans and full tutorial here.
Sliding Door Dresser Chest
Now this one may not be what comes to mind when you think of “dresser.”
BUT, this sliding door dresser is a unique take on the typical chest of drawers design and is a great way to add extra storage in the bedroom, bathroom, or office.
Oversized Nightstand Dresser
Much like the last one, this “dresser” isn’t a typical dresser. Essentially, it’s a small 3 drawer dresser that is used as a nightstand.
The custom trim details on this design give this otherwise basic design some extra dimension and style.
Grab the plans to build your own oversized nightstand dresser here.
DIY Two Tone 6-Drawer Dresser
Check out this super simple, two tone 6 drawer dresser build!
This dresser is actually just one part of a large entertainment type center I built for a local library.
The drawers have locks since it was built for the library, but you can leave them out when you build yours. Get the plans and tutorial here.
DIY Modern Dresser with Open Shelf
This DIY modern dresser is built with poplar wood and features four drawers and an open shelf.
I used poplar, but you could use pine or any other wood you want. It’s a simple build and I have the plans and tutorial for you here.
It’s one of two dressers that go with my matching modern bedroom set collection. Check out the whole matching set here.
DIY Modern 5-Drawer Dresser
Here is the second dresser that goes with the one above.
The design features five drawers and I used simple black handles on both that really go with the vibe I was looking for.
You can finish this DIY modern dresser with any stain you choose, but I used Walrus Oil Furniture Butter to bring out the natural look of the poplar.
Get the plans to build your own 5-drawer dresser here.
DIY Shelf with Drawers
Similar to the DIY dresser with open shelf, this one has two deep dresser drawers instead of four standard drawers.
This piece is actually one of FIVE matching pieces I built for my dad’s office. You can check out the entire series here.
Great to use in a guest room, dorm room, or any bedroom where you could use extra storage.
Get the plans and tutorial to build your own.
DIY Modern Dresser Console
This dresser console ultimately became a bathroom vanity and you have to admit it certainly has the perfect design for it.
But, I also love it as a dresser and I designed it around the front trim.
You can build this using plywood or hardwood, the choice is up to you. But no matter what you build it from you are going to love it!
DIY 5-Drawer Dresser
Each dresser I build has it’s own personality and it’s own design.
But this one is one of my favorites! I think it’s the legs, they are actually vanity legs. Can you believe it?
This was also one of my very first dresser builds! Get the plans and tutorial for this five drawer dresser and build your own.
DIY Vintage Inspired Dresser
I can’t even with all the cuteness! Doesn’t this little vintage inspired DIY dresser give you all the heart eyes??
But, if that’s not enough, just a few extra steps can take this dresser and make it a DIY changing table, too!!
Modern Farmhouse Faux Drawer Dresser
Can you believe these “drawers” in this dresser are totally 100% fake?!
Well, ACTUALLY, I lie. There are drawers in here, but it’s not exactly how it appears.
No one will ever know that there are actually shelves hidden behind some of those drawer panels.
I have the plans and tutorial for you to build your own here.
Modern DIY Dresser Armoire
I LOVE the idea of a “dresser” that also has a cabinet on one side.
Sometimes you need more than just drawers, amiright?
You could also make a larger version as a kind of armoire or wardrobe.
I built this for friends of mine to use for their baby so I also added a tray that could be used as a changing table.
DIY Modern Console Dresser
I know I say this about all of them, but this is one of my favorite dressers ever!
The stenciled design really puts it over the top with it’s mid-century modern vibe.
Two drawers, an open shelf, and enclosed shelves behind those fun doors make this one great as a dresser, dining room console, or a tv stand.
See the full tutorial and get the plans here.
6-Drawer Mid-Century Modern Dresser
One of the first DIY dressers I built was this mid-century beauty.
I learned a lot from this build and the best compliment I got on this DIY dresser was “that looks like it came straight out of the 70s.”
Why, thank you, sir, that was the point.
Build this one yourself with the full tutorial and add a bit of mid-century design to your room!
You can also build it with round legs and I show you how in this post.
There you have it, 17 DIY dressers you can build. I hope you’re inspired to build your own and create a piece of furniture that will last forever.
Be sure to pin it for later!
Until next time, friend, happy building!
