How to Build an Underbed Dresser

Make your own underbed drawers using basic hardware supplies.

Dressers are ideal for storing your belongings, but may not fit into your bedroom efficiently, especially if you live in a small condo or apartment. One solution is to utilize the spaces you do have in order to store your belongings, such as under the bed. Underbed dressers allow you to create the storage you need without taking up the entire bedroom. Make your own underbed dressers using inexpensive materials.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Wood planks, 1-inch thick
• Circular saw
• Hammer
• Nails, 1 and 1/2-inch long
• Plywood, 1/2-inch thick
• 4 rolling casters, 2-inches high
• Drill
• Wood screws, 1/4-inch long
• Cabinet handle
• Medium-grit sandpaper
• Paintbrush, 3-inch flat
• Latex paint

Instructions

1. Measure the height of the space between the floor and the underside of your bed frame. Measure the width of the bed, from end to end.

2. Cut two wood planks to measure the notated height minus 4 inches, and one-third of the notated width using a circular saw. Cut two more wood planks to measure the same height as the longer planks, with an 18-inch width.

3. Stand one of the longer planks up onto one of the long sides, then place the two smaller planks up onto one of the longer sides against the first plank. Position the smaller planks in a perpendicular manner against either end of the longer first plank.

4. Nail the smaller planks in place using 1 1/2-inch long nails.

5. Place the remaining long plank against the ends of the smaller planks in a perpendicular manner, and nail the plank in place using 11/2-inch long nails.

6. Cut a sheet of plywood to measure the same width as the longer planks and 18 inches in length.

7. Place the plywood shape on top of the nailed together box form, lining up the edges, and tack it in place using 1/2-inch long nails around the edges.

8. Place a 2-inch high rolling caster at each corner of the box, positioning each caster 2 inches from the edges. Screw the casters in place using a drill with 1/4-inch wood screws.

9. Turn the underbed dresser drawer over and attach a cabinet handle onto the front of one of the longer planks horizontally using a drill and 1/4-inch long wood screws.

10. Sand the entire dresser drawer using medium-grit sandpaper, moving the sandpaper in small, circular motions. This removes any splintering and creates a smooth surface. Brush off any sawdust using a 3-inch flat paintbrush.

11. Paint the underbed dresser using latex paint, then allow the paint to dry for six to eight hours before use.

12. Repeat the entire process two more times to create a total of three underbed dressers for your bed.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep circular saws out of the reach of children.

References

• Craft a Home: Under Bed Storage Box Drawers