A dresser is a cabinet equipped with drawers used for storing various items and belongings. In the production of this piece of furniture, different types of wood and wood materials are used, which are made from the processing of wood waste (particle board, plywood, OSB boards).
Making a wooden dresser yourself is quite simple, provided you have free time and the ability to work with hand tools. The key to success in this endeavor is patience and knowledge of some tricks used in the work.
Common Dresser Models
Among dressers, there is a wide variety of models that determine their purpose and have their own design features:
- Standard.
The standard or classic dresser is a low cabinet equipped with drawers used for storing bed linen and small clothing items. The number of drawers can vary, typically from two to six. A distinctive feature of the design is the tabletop, which is an actively used element during the operation of this piece of furniture.
- Tall Dresser.
Distinctive features of this model include its height and the presence of a large number of drawers arranged vertically relative to each other. During the operation of this model, the tabletop is usually not used. The dresser is placed in the hallway or another room with limited usable space and is used for storing shoes and other small items.
- Dresser for a Children’s Room.
For use in a children’s room, special models have also been developed, a distinctive feature of which is the presence of a special top panel, either folding or pull-out, used for changing diapers and performing other activities related to the child’s life. The dresser drawers are used for storing clothes and bed linen, and as the child grows, for storing toys.
- Dresser with an Open Shelf.
Models with an open shelf can be used in various types of rooms. Their distinctive feature is an open shelf located at the top of the dresser, which allows increasing the usable area of this piece of furniture. Otherwise, these models are similar to classic dressers in both design and usage options.
Tools and Materials Needed for Making a Dresser
When deciding to make a dresser yourself, you need to determine the type of material that will be used and, based on this, select the required tools.
In the production process, various types of natural wood, MDF, particle board, furniture plywood, and other materials made from wood waste are used.
To work with the above-mentioned materials when making a wooden dresser yourself, you will need the following tools:
- Wood saw or electric jigsaw.
- Electric drill or screwdriver.
- Tape measure, square.
- Marking pencil or scribe.
- Clamps.
- Carpentry tools.
How to Make a Wooden Dresser Yourself
To make a wooden dresser yourself, you need to perform a series of tasks that can be broken down into several stages, such as the preparatory stage, the production of blanks, and the assembly of the structure.
Preparatory Stage
At this stage of production, the design of the dresser is determined, which should correspond to its purpose and dimensions. A sketch or drawing is made, on which all the necessary dimensions for the work are indicated, and the issue of the mechanism ensuring the extension of the dresser drawers is worked out.
The material to be used in the work is selected, and the issue of the fastening elements used to combine individual elements into a single structure (dowels and glue, screw connection, furniture corners, etc.) is resolved.
Making Blanks and Assembly
The production of component elements, parts of the structure, can be easily reflected in a step-by-step instruction manual, which assumes:
- Making the base.
When using sheet materials (MDF, particle board, etc.), a blank of the required size is cut from the prepared sheet according to the developed drawing. The edges of the base are processed with sandpaper or another abrasive material, after which an edge band is glued to them.
From the bottom side of the base, a frame is mounted, ensuring the rigidity of the structure. For its production, a wooden bar of a small section is used, on which legs or furniture wheels are attached, ensuring a gap between the base and the floor, as well as the possibility of moving the dresser.
- Making the frame.
The dresser frame depends on the type of materials used. If this is MDF, particle board – then blanks are cut from the prepared sheet according to the dimensions indicated in the drawing. The elements of this structure (frame) will be side walls, a back wall made of hardboard, and a middle wall, if present.
When using bars as frame elements, they are cut according to the required dimensions. The ends of the prepared bars are cut in a special way to ensure their connection on the principle of “tongue and groove.” After this, the assembly of the manufactured elements (side and inner walls) is carried out. The elements of the structure are sheathed. During assembly, carpenter’s glue is used, and for sheathing – furniture plywood.
On the side and inner walls, guides are mounted, along which the drawers will move. Small bars or special factory-made mechanisms can be used as guides, ensuring easy and smooth movement of the drawers.
- Attaching the frame to the base.
When all the elements of the frame are made, they are installed on the prepared base. For fastening the frame, dowels and furniture nails, as well as carpenter’s glue, are used.
- Installing the front frame.
The design of the front frame depends on the number, size, and arrangement of the drawers relative to each other. For its production, wooden bars are used, mounted from the front side of the dresser in its frame in the horizontal plane. The frame ensures the rigidity of the structure and the possibility of safe use of the installed drawers. For its fastening, dowels and carpenter’s glue or furniture corners of various sizes are used.
- Installing the tabletop.
The type and design of the tabletop depend on the type of use of the dresser. If this is a classic type, and MDF, particle board, etc., are used as the material, then a blank is cut and the edges are processed, as in the case of making the base. After that, by installing dowels, the tabletop is attached to the assembled frame, using carpenter’s glue.
If the tabletop is made of natural wood (boards or solid wood), then the blanks are first cut and processed, after which the tabletop is assembled into a single structure. The installation of the tabletop of this type is carried out similarly, as in the previously considered case.
- Making and installing drawers.
When making drawers, plywood or particle board, as well as hardboard, which is used for making the bottom part of the drawer, are used. Blanks are cut to the required size, after which assembly is carried out. The connection of the elements is carried out using furniture nails, dowels, and other fastening elements. On the outer surface of the drawer, blanks are attached, similar to the material that was used when making the tabletop, as well as the side walls (MDF, natural wood). The installation of fittings, as well as the extension system, if provided, is carried out. After all the elements of the structure are made, the drawers are installed and the operability of their extension system is checked. If there are difficulties with their extraction, adjustment and re-checking are performed.
