Being able to build something from scratch makes you feel proud and accomplished. That is exactly how I would describe my feelings when I finished making my first farmhouse dresser DIY project.

Not only I saved a considerable amount of money by doing it on my own, but I also got this rewarding sense of improvement. When you need additional storage, but you are tight with the budget, you have to compromise.

Luckily enough, I found a perfect plan for compromise and decided to use plans for a dresser that even a beginner can follow. Thus, here you will find an easy tutorial on building a dresser that will fit your never-ending need for more space.

If you were looking for a way to build your dresser, look no further! You are in the right place!

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Why make DIY a Farmhouse Dresser?

As I already mentioned, one of the greatest benefits of deciding to do a farmhouse dresser DIY is financial. Also, the fact that you are doing it on your own gives you a vast number of options.

For example, you can choose whether you want dresser solid wood, or you want dressers with deep drawers, you can even decide the number of drawers and so on.

We all have different styles, and the type of dresser you want to get in the end depends on your personal preference.

Still, it also depends on the room you want to put it in, or the colors you want to match.

DIY dresser ideas give you exactly that – the freedom of choice. Here, however, we are talking about a modern farmhouse dresser, and you can follow these easy steps to put it together.

What to know before getting started!

Here, we will be talking about the 6 drawer dresser woodworking plans. I would like to point out a few things before we get to it.

First of all, there is no limit on how many times you need to read the instructions. Moreover, always take extra time to double-check all of the measurements.

The important thing for beginners is to be aware of the fact that they’d be using different tools. This means that you should know how to use them, otherwise you might not be precise while cutting or assembling.

I repeated this many times, but I can’t stress enough that you should always make sure that you work in a safe environment. The basic precautions are to work on a surface that is undamaged and on the right level.

Don’t forget to wear protective gear, thus working gloves and safety glasses. Be open-minded, and good luck!

Tools Required for a Farmhouse Dresser DIY

There is a good chance you have some of these tools at home already, even if you’ve never done DIY things before. For building the farmhouse dresser DIY project you’ll need the following:

• Tape measure
• Speed Square & Marker
• Protection gear (safety glasses, work gloves)
• Kreg pocket hole jig
• Drill
• Miter saw
• Table saw
• Brad nailer
• Sander
• Scroll saw
• Iron edge band

Materials needed for DIY Farmhouse Dresser

When it comes to materials needed for farmhouse dresser DIY, you’ll need to check out these items:

• ¾” plywood (1½  sheets)
•  ¼” plywood (1 sheet)
•  8ft long boards 1×2 (4)
• 27 ft 1×8 boards
• 8ft long boards 1×3 (2)
• 6ft longboard 1×4 (1)
• 10ft longboard 1×12 (1) 
• 16” Euro bottom drawer slides (6)
•  4” wood legs (4)
• 20ft of  ¾’’ Molding trim
• Farmhouse style knobs
•   ¾‘’ nails
• Pocket hole screw kit
• wood glue & wood filler
• Sandpaper roll (120grit)

Cut list for Farmhouse Dresser DIY

• 1 plywood board (¾’’) for the bottom: 19 ¼ ‘’ x 52 ¼ ‘’
• 3 plywood boards (¾’’) for divider and sides: 19 ¼ ‘’ x 30 ½ ‘’
• 10ft 1×2 boards for trim: 25”
• 1 plywood board (¾’’) for the top: 20’’ 53 ¾ ‘’
•  8ft 1×8 boards for large drawers sides: 16”
• 4ft 1×3 boards for small drawers sides: 16’’
•  8ft 1×8 boards for large drawers backs and fronts: 22 ½ ‘’
•   4ft 1×3 boards for small drawers backs and fronts: 22 ½ ‘’
•   6 plywood boards (¼ ‘’): 16” x 24”
• 4ft 1×12 boards for large drawers fronts: 24 ¾ ‘’
• 2ft 1×4 boards for small drawers fronts: 24 ¾ ‘’
• 1 plywood board (¼ ‘’) for the back: 52 ¼ ‘’ x 32’’ 

Cutting Instructions

Note that everything is cut normally, there aren’t any specific angles.

However, things to have in mind before you start following farmhouse dresser DIY steps are:

• When purchasing a 6ft board from the cut list, the width must be 3 ½ ‘’. 
• When buying a 10ft board from the cut list, the width must be 11 ¼ ‘’.
• The dimensions for cutting 4 bigger drawers are: 22  ½’’ length, 16’’ width
• The dimensions for cutting 2 smaller drawers are:  24’’ length 16’’ width
• The space between the sides of the farmhouse dresser DIY and the divider should be 25 ¾’’.
• The space between the support boards should be as follows: 11 ½ ‘’ from the bottom row drawers up to middle row drawers, and from middle-row drawers to the upper row drawers.
•  The space between the bottom of the upper-row drawer and the top of the dresser should be 3 ¾  ‘’.

Instructions

To get this DIY project in no time, make sure you read the steps and tips carefully. 

Step 1 – The sides and the divider

There are two options for building the farmhouse dresser DIY from the bottom. The first one is either you add the wood legs at the beginning of the process, or you do it at the end.

This is totally up to you, but I would recommend doing it at the very beginning, so you don’t have to turn the dresser later.

On the bottom, plywood boards put the already prepared boards for the sides and the divider. Drill the pocket holes (¾’’) at the bottom and make sure you attach everything properly.

You should also use this step to pre-drill the pocket holes for the top later on.

Step 2 – The trim and the support

Make sure you add the trim on both – front and back support boards. You should use 1 ¼ ” screws to strengthen it properly.  Please use the measuring tape and check all of the distances. This is especially important for the drawers.

In the cutting instructions, I gave you the distance from the bottom of one support board up to the beginning of the upper support board. The space that stays in between should be covered once you put the drawers’ fronts.

Double-check the measures for all the rows and drawers separately.

Step 3 – The top and the edge banding

Well, this is not an obligatory thing, but it gives a nice touch to a farmhouse-style dresser.

Edge banding should be applied before attaching the top of the dresser, around the sides of the top, and at the front.

Once you are done edge banding, use the pre-drilled holes (as you see, good preparation is golden!) attach the previously prepared plywood board by using the pocket hole screws again. 

Since the top is visible, make sure you close the holes by using the wood filler. 

Step 4 – Building the drawers

I already said how important it is to get the drawers right. The whole idea of this easy DIY dresser is to save you money and give you more space. 

And since the drawers are an essential part of that space, even as a farmhouse bedroom dresser décor, you should try to make it look as good as possible.

You have the dimensions, the rest is simple. Attach the sides by using the pocket screws, and for additional security, you should use wood glue.

The reason why I would insist on euro bottom slides for the drawers is that it is simpler to attach them to the drawer, you can simply nail them. On the other hand, if you prefer to have the slides on the side, make sure you have pocket screws instead.  

Finishing Instructions 

Tip Nr.1 Adding the back

The reason why this is not a mandatory step is that you might want to put your farmhouse dresser DIY masterpiece against the wall, and you simply don’t need it.

Still, if you want to have a fully-fledged farmhouse dresser décor, get the drill and the pocket screws, take the ¼’’ plywood board (the one you cut into 52 ¼’’ x 32’’), and voila – you are done!

Tip Nr.2 Pre-drilling saves time

You don’t need to have much experience to know that good preparation is half of the job.

Whether you are dealing with farmhouse dresser DIY plans, DIY rustic dresser plans, DIY rustic dresser repurposing, etc. simple things such as marking and pre-drilling the pocket holes before assembling can save you a lot of time.

Tip Nr.3 Drawer faces

Make sure to leave enough space for the slides when cutting the drawer faces. In this case, that should be 1/8’’.

To attach the drawer faces to the drawers, I’d recommend using nails. Go from the front side first, and then use the pocket screws from the inside. This is where you add the knobs.

Still, if you want to know more on how to DIY dresser drawers of another kind, you can check it out here.

Tip Nr.4 Filler and the paint

The surfaces of the dresser have to be smooth. This is important for the painting phase, but also the overall aesthetics of your freshly made farmhouse dresser DIY piece.

You should sand the wood after cutting it, as well as repeat the process when you are done with assembling it. The next thing is to fill all the holes with wood filler.

Once the filler is dry, use the combination of sanding and the paint you find interesting. The one I went with is a simple white farmhouse dresser. 

Final thoughts

Being creative with DIY projects is one of the most appealing aspects of this type of work. The farmhouse dresser DIY such as this one is no exception.

There is another really great alternative if you already have an old dresser and you’d like to do something with it. You can use some of the DIY refurbished ideas and for example, transform a dresser with grey paint.

There are different techniques too! Some that might interest you are the ones you can get the pink ombre dresser or the one where you can wallpaper a dresser.

As long as you are willing to try it, the fun is guaranteed!

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