How to Build a Baby Dresser

Create the sides of the dresser. Secure two 2-by-2s measuring 40.25 inches onto the long sides of a 15.75-by-26.25-inch sheet of plywood. The 2-by-2s serve as the legs of the dresser, so the tops of the lumber and one of the 15.75-inch sides of plywood should be flush. Secure the pieces together with 1.25-inch pocket screws spaced 5 inches on center. Repeat this process with the second sheet of 15.75-by-26.25-inch plywood and two more 2-by-2s.

Make the frame for the dresser. Measure 14 inches from the bottom of all four of the dresser legs. Attach a 40-inch-long 2-by-2 between the pieces that make up the sides of the dresser, at the points you marked. The bottom of the 2-by-2 should line up at the 14 inch points. Secure the pieces together with 2.5-inch pocket hole screws. Repeat on the opposite side, using another 40-inch-long 2-by-2.

Add the trim that goes between the dresser drawers using 40-inch-long 1-by-2s. With the flat side facing up, place one of the lengths of trim between the sides of the dresser, between two of the dresser legs. The trim should be flush with the tops and outward-facing sides of the dresser legs. Secure the trim to the dresser legs with 1.25-inch finishing nails.

Measure down 7.5 inches and install the next length of trim. There should be a 7.5-inch gap between each length of trim so you end up with three pieces of trim on either side of the dresser.

Center a divider between the top two pieces of trim. The divider is a 1-by-2 piece of lumber cut to 7.5 inches. One of the thin sides of the divider should face outward and be flush with the front of the trim. Secure the divider to the trim with finishing nails. Repeat on the opposite side of the dresser.

Install a 15.75 inch-by-9-inch plywood wall between the dividers. Use 1.25-inch pocket hole screws to attach the plywood board to the dividers.

Make the top of the dresser. Place a 15.75-inch-long 1-by-2 on either side of a 15.75-by-41.5-inch plywood board. The 1-by-2s should be flat and lay flush against the 15.75-inch sides of the board. Connect the pieces with 1.25-inch pocket hole screws.

Attach a 44.5-inch-long 1-by-2 along one of the longer sides of the plywood board so the side edges are flat. Secure with 1.25-inch pocket hole screws. Attach a 44.5-inch-long 1-by-3 to the opposite long end of the plywood board.

Secure the top of the dresser to the dresser frame with 1.25-inch pocket hole screws. The 1-by-3 should overhang the dresser by 1 inch on the top and sides.

Build the small drawers. Attach two pieces of 7 1/8-by-17 1/8-inch plywood, which form two of the drawer walls, on either side of a piece of 17 1/8-by-16-inch plywood. Use finishing nails to secure the pieces of wood together. Attach the remaining two drawer walls using 7 1/8-by-16-inch plywood. Repeat to create the second small drawer.

Build the long drawers. Attach two 7 1/8-by-37.5-inch plywood pieces, which are two of drawer walls, onto either side of a sheet of 37.5-by-16-inch plywood. Secure the pieces with finishing nails. Then use finishing nails to attach the two shorter walls made from 7 1/8-by-16-inch plywood. Repeat two more times to create the remaining drawers.

Install 14-inch drawer slides onto the inside of the dresser with the help of a magnetic drawer slide mounting tool. Place a drawer slide onto the tool and clamp the tool onto the side of the dresser. The slide should butt up against the inside of the dresser. Use the screws that come with the drawer slide kit to attach the slide to the dresser. Mount the opposite ends of the drawer slides inside the dresser so they line up well. Then attach the part of the drawer slide that goes on the dresser drawer, making sure all the slide mechanisms are in line.

Center and attach handles onto the front of the drawers.