Homemade Dresser Drawers

Building custom-made drawers can make a bookcase or cupboard more functional.

It's relatively simple to transform a bookcase or shelving unit into a dresser just by adding functional drawers. Once you learn to build your own shelves, you can use the same technique to give a new look to an old dresser or to replace a drawer that doesn't run smoothly.

Things You'll Need

• 1 1/4-inch plywood board, sized to drawer bottom
• 2 1/2-inch pine boards, width of drawer width, height of drawer height
• 2 1/2-inch pine boards, width of drawer depth minus 1 inch, height of drawer height
• Hand saw
• Circular saw
• Wood glue
• Screws
• T-square
• 1 set of drawer runner hardware per drawer
• Drawer pull hardware
• Paint or stain (optional)
• Sandpaper

Instructions

Preparing the Drawers

1. Measure the spaces in the bookcase where you will fit each drawer. Take each measurement twice to ensure accuracy. Hold the measuring tape exactly at the edge of each surface when measuring. Calculate the size for each drawer by subtracting the space required for the runners from the space of the bookcase.

2. Use a hand saw to cut all lumber to the prescribed dimensions. Have a local hardware shop or lumber supply store cut the pieces for you if you are unskilled at making cuts to precise measurements.

3. Use a circular saw to cut a lengthwise groove 1/4 inch from the bottom edge of the two boards that form the sides of each drawer. Arrange the side pieces so they form right angles with the board that forms the back of the drawer and the grooves face inward. Apply glue to the edges of the side pieces and hold them securely against the back piece. Screw the pieces together. Use a T-square to keep the angles at 90 degrees.

4. Apply glue to the exposed edges of the side pieces. Set the front piece of the drawer in place, using a T-square for right angles. Screw the piece in place. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to let the glue completely dry.

5. Attach the drawer runner hardware to the sides of the drawer and the inside of the shelving unit. Follow all manufacturer's instructions, using the indicated screws or nails. Take all measurements twice before affixing the hardware.

6. Measure the front of the drawer to determine its center. Mark the spot with a pencil. Screw your drawer pull hardware so it is centered around the spot.

7. Sand the entire drawer, inside and out. Start with rougher sandpaper and finish with finer gauge paper. Wet the fine sandpaper for a final sanding.

Tips & Warnings

• For an eclectic look, paint your dresser drawers in contrasting colors. For a lighter touch of whimsy, paint the interior in a slightly different shade than the exterior.

• Use stain to match your drawers to the rest of the dresser. Pay attention to the grain of the boards when picking pieces for the front and back of each drawer; opt for grain patterns that complement the entire dresser.

• If you build multiple drawers, set each of the runners at the same height so that all the drawers are interchangeable.

References

• "Amateur Woodworker"; Chest of Drawers; June 1998
• "Fine Woodworking"; Drawer Essentials; Andy Rae