How to Build a Mid-Century Modern Dresser–FROM 2x4s and PLYWOOD!
How to Build a Mid-Century Modern Dresser–FROM 2x4s and PLYWOOD!
In this video, I’ll show you how to build a mid-century modern 6 drawer dresser from 2x4s and plywood!
Dressers are literally my favorite thing to build. There are so many ways to build a box and add drawers and so many styles you can go with for it.
So, I hope you enjoy the video as much as I enjoyed building it and if you want to build one for yourself, grab the step by step tutorial here:
And grab the printable plans here:
DIY Mid-Century Modern Dresser Plans
In this video, I’ll also share how to cut dadoes without a dado blade on the table saw at 6:00.
Additional info you may find helpful for this project:
How to Cut Plywood Sheets: https://www.woodshopdiaries.com/cut-down-plywood-sheets-with-circular-saw/
How to Edge Band Plywood: https://www.woodshopdiaries.com/how-to-cover-plywood-edges/
How to Use a Pocket Hole Jig: https://www.woodshopdiaries.com/how-to-use-pocket-hole-jig/
How to Build and Install Drawers: https://www.woodshopdiaries.com/theres-no-wrong-way-to-make-a-drawer/
Other projects using these modern style legs:
DIY Modern Dog Bed: https://www.woodshopdiaries.com/diy-modern-dog-bed/
DIY Dog Bowl Stand: https://www.woodshopdiaries.com/diy-dog-bowl-stand/
DIY Upholstered Storage Bench: https://www.woodshopdiaries.com/how-to-build-an-upholstered-storage-bench/
Tools & Materials
The following contains affiliate links:
Tools Used In the Video:
Circular Saw: https://homedepot.sjv.io/AooaYx
Kreg AccuCut Cutting Guide: https://amzn.to/3uGzgYf
Kreg Rip Cut Cutting Guide: https://amzn.to/3dS9Q2Q
Miter Saw: https://homedepot.sjv.io/yd96v
Drill/Driver: https://homedepot.sjv.io/9Wg2r0
Kreg 720 Pocket Hole Jig: https://amzn.to/2Q7LU3l
Jig Saw: https://homedepot.sjv.io/Gjj912
Nail Gun: https://homedepot.sjv.io/a9ygQ
Table Saw: https://homedepot.sjv.io/3vkav
Materials Used:
3 sheets 3/4″ plywood: https://homedepot.sjv.io/9rR95
1 1/4 sheets 1/4″ plywood: https://homedepot.sjv.io/3vVYr
(2) 2x4x8 boards: https://homedepot.sjv.io/kr42M
Scrap 1x or 3/4″ plywood to cut the legs from
1 1/4″ pocket hole screws: https://amzn.to/3fXNO1d
2 1/2″ pocket hole screws: https://amzn.to/39TxT03
2″ wood screws
2 1/2″ wood screws
(6) pair 16″ ball bearing drawer slides (I buy bulk packs of ten here: https://amzn.to/3d3FNGs)
Wood Glue
Edge banding (optional): https://amzn.to/3uIhbsR
Thank you for the downloads!
are the plans you sell metric?
Great job! Beautiful results!!! Hey, I have a question for you! Hope you can help me out!! Q: witch program do you use for make your plans?? Thanks
Nice piece. You said that you would be able.e to use drawer runners that push to open, but wouldn’t the drawer fronts butt against the frame, negating the ‘push to open’ functionality? I might be being stupid but I’m just having similar thoughts on a piece I am working on right now.
That was amazing 🥲 I have been searching for a bedroom set to replace mine but haven’t found it & I don’t have the tools or the time to make it. You are so blessed to have this gift of creating such beautiful furniture. I wish I could have you make it for me. You got talent girl. 💯❤️
Living in Sweden the price of that birch plywood would amount to 800 usd probably
Great video
Epic 👌
How’d you get started with wood working?? Is this your main source of income? I really want to get into custom wood working and would love to do it as a job too
Just found your channel today and have watched a few projects. I really like your sensible approach to workflow, tools etc. Love the clean aesthetic of all your pieces and the way you use so many scrap wood spacer blocks to work fast. Definitely subbed and clicked the bell.
I think an inner bevel on the drawer fronts would have been cool for a place to grip when opening
It’s a bit late to ask a question like this, but have you or anyone ever thought of designing places that someone could easily grab to move/carry around? Do you seal the complete back of the dresser to give it a air buffer?
How much did this cost in materials?
Lindo trabalho.
It takes a lot to inspire me and I’m currently building this now. Beautiful piece you made and thanks a lot for sharing the plans and knowledge
.2 seconds into the video and all I can focus on is how I have the same boots
Hi Shara, I love your channel! You make everything look so easy! Do you need the drawer dividers if they are just for looks? I want to build this and want to make the drawer fronts larger to hide them anyway.
Go Red Cross! Nice work, great video!
How much on material’s ?
Tremendous build! You’ve got mad skills 👍👍
Great video as always! Will be building this one as my first project of 2022 🙂
I really like the look of unfinished wood. It’s such a natural look. I would love to treat wood for protection without imparting any of the characteristics of wood finishes.
I just discovered your channel while looking for a mid century dresser to build… wow! Thank you so much for all your work. I subscribed and cannot wait to see your other projects 🙂
woodworking…..its not just for guys anymore…….liked your vid!!! I made a dresser alot like this using canarywood slabs for the drawer fronts running continuous grain from one front across to the other left to right. Trim around the edge i used 4/4 yellowheart. You did very well!!
I love the unfinished look with the darker drawer. If it were me I’d just cut a chamfer along the bottom edge of each drawer, sand it and hit it with danish oil. Beautiful.
I’m bit late to watch tht master piece lol simple n easy
Wow your pretty awesome the way you talk about building.Most channels I would feel more comfortable putting a space shuttle together.I wish you sold some of your dressers.
Wow, so simple.. I keep forgetting what pocket screws have done for cabinetry.
Wasn’t 3/4” plywood drawers overkill, and more expensive than 3/8” plywood? Could you help me understand?
Nicely done
I just love the legs!
does anyone find any issues with chip out on the plywood when using the circular saw?
This is great! I’m gonna give it a shot but with a more limited toolset haha.
FIRST TIME WATCHING…I’M IN THIS D.I.Y FB GROUP AND I THOUGHT I WOULD WANT TO DO A DRESSER…LONG STORY SHORT, DO YOU TAKE ORDERS?
which screws do you use? what do i tell the hardware store that i need ?
This video is proof Men are a dying breed lol women don’t need us anymore
happy building 🙂
I loved the unfinished look!
If I had a table saw and planer, I would do this for sure! Super nice!
This is amazing. I hope it was left unfinished😍
I wonder how much did it cost you to build this AMAZING Dresser ?
You’re awesome. Thanks! What is your cost for the material?
Great, now I need to buy that ridgid radial arm saw with a nice 16” cut depth.
Love your work. I especially love the fact that you share your mistakes too!!! That is probably the most inspirational because I know if ever try this, then I will definitely make more mistakes. Keep up the excellent work.
Would edge banding matter if the dresser would be painted in the end?
I love the unfinished look, It looks amazing!
Very beautiful sara ,thank you
Awesome build. Wish you could share the finished work from your friend
Wow! This is incredible!
May I ask which quality grade plywood did you use?
Very good work.. I have been a builder since age 12.. I’m 56 now.. I’m giving you a rating of 100% . I have built more pieces than I can remember at this point.
The Positives are as follows.
Worked alone..
Minimal Tools..
Good Economics..
Demonstrated Competence and Communication..
Good soft skills and Finishing Touchs..
The Only thing you could have done better was miter the edgebanding but then again this is my opinion.