Building a chest that feels calm and solid does not need wizard tricks. It only needs care, clear steps, and clear words. I will walk you through these shaker dresser plans with the calm pace of shop work. Grab a coffee, clear the bench top, and keep this page close.
Why a Shaker Dresser Feels Right
Shaker style favors plain truth. Parts meet clean. Grain flows without noise. A dresser in this form fits a loft or a farmhouse room with equal grace. When you build it yourself you gain more than storage. You gain skill and pride.
- Flat fronts read calm.
- A slight overhang on the top gives lift.
- Tapered legs lighten the stance.
- Small wood knobs keep the look modest.
Keep lines straight and curves fair. Your eye will relax. Your room will breathe.
Layout Options That Serve Real Rooms
Pick a format that fits space and need. Measurements below give outer size. All numbers show inches.
- Six drawer chest
- Width thirty nine
- Depth twenty one
- Height forty nine
- Two small drawers sit above four large drawers
- Five drawer tall chest
- Width thirty four
- Depth twenty
- Height fifty four
- One narrow drawer sits above four deep drawers
- Long low dresser
- Width sixty
- Depth twenty
- Height thirty
- Three drawers share the top row and three share the lower row
Keep drawer depth near nineteen for easy reach. Keep width about twice the height on each drawer face. Your eye likes that ratio.
Wood Choices That Sing
Primary boards carry the tune. Secondary boards carry the load. Pick with thought.
- Cherry shows warm glow and tight grain.
- White oak brings strong rays and firm feel.
- Red oak costs less but stains well.
- Hard maple stays pale and tough.
Secondary choices help on cost.
- Poplar makes smooth drawer sides.
- White pine planes like butter for backs and bottoms.
- Hard maple strips guard runners.
Plan board feet with care.
- A six drawer chest in cherry takes near fifty board feet of cherry.
- Add near twenty board feet of poplar or pine inside.
Lay all show boards on the bench before cuts. Chalk arrows keep grain in line. Good flow across drawer fronts lifts the mood.
Shop Gear You Need
Power tools speed bulk tasks. Hand tools fine tune fit. Keep edges sharp.
- Table saw with clean blade plus crosscut sled.
- Planer and jointer square stock.
- Router in table with straight bit and dovetail bit.
- Drill press for crisp holes.
- Random orbit sander with fresh discs.
Hand tool list.
- Marking gauge and square.
- Dovetail saw and sharp chisels.
- Block plane plus smoothing plane.
- Card scraper for small swirls.
Clamps fill gaps where hands fail. Keep many lengths ready.
Two Build Paths Pick One
You can chase classic joinery or pick an easy track. Both end in solid work.
- Classic path uses half blind dovetails at corners.
- Sliding dovetails lock dividers.
- Maple runners guide drawers.
- Starter path uses dados with screws and plugs.
- Pocket screws hide inside frames.
- Side mounted slides give smooth action.
Mix as you like. Choice lives with you.
Cut List Planner Six Drawer Chest
Measures assume width thirty nine depth twenty one height forty nine. All parts use cherry unless noted.
- Sides two at forty nine tall twenty one deep three quarter thick.
- Top and bottom two at thirty nine wide twenty one deep three quarter.
- Dust frames four sets. Rails and stiles three quarter by two. Panels quarter thick ply.
- Front rail one at thirty nine wide three tall three quarter thick.
- Back rail one at same size.
- Center divider one at forty tall eighteen deep three quarter plus front trim.
- Drawer fronts
- Top two at eighteen wide six tall three quarter.
- Middle two at thirty three wide eight tall three quarter.
- Bottom two at thirty three wide nine tall three quarter.
- Drawer sides twelve at twenty long five and a half tall half inch.
- Drawer backs six at eighteen wide five and a half tall half inch.
- Drawer bottoms six at eighteen wide seventeen and three quarter deep quarter inch ply.
- Runners twelve maple strips nineteen long three quarter square.
- Back boards shiplap pine to fit opening.
- Top panel one at forty two wide twenty two deep three quarter for overhang.
Always dry fit frames and measure net opening before cutting drawer parts. Fit beats guess.
Step One Mill Stock
Joint one face and one edge on each board. Plane in light lifts. Rip to width. Crosscut with inch spare. Glue side panels. Rest them a night. Trim to final after wood settles.
Step Two Build Sides and Base
Classic path uses half blind dovetails. Lay tails on top and bottom boards. Cut and chop with care. Dry fit corners.
Starter path cuts a dado near top and bottom inside each side. Glue and screw top and bottom into dados then plug screw heads.
Both paths share rails. Front lower rail can hold a soft arc. Legs can taper on inside faces for lift.
Step Three Add Dust Frames and Divider
Dust frames block dust and steady drawers.
Classic path uses frame and panel with stub tenons. Glue then clamp square.
Starter path uses ladder frames. Pocket screws hide on frame underside.
Divider sits between first two frames. Rip to fit. Glue a cherry strip on front. Screw divider to frames with small blocks for support.
Runners over each frame guide drawers. Glue maple strips in pairs. Use spacer stick for true gaps. Kickers sit above each drawer to stop tilt.
Tip. Laminate thin hard maple strip to drawer side bottom edge. Wear drops slow.
Step Four Assemble Case
Dry fit all parts. Check square by equal cross measure.
Glue plan.
- Glue bottom frame to front rail.
- Place set into one side.
- Stack next frames and divider.
- Add back rail.
- Close with other side.
- Clamp.
Nail or screw back boards to top and bottom rails. Leave slight gap between shiplap for swell. Plywood works too and saves time.
Attach top. Drill four clearance holes in rails. Elongate rear holes side to side. Drive screws with washers. Wood moves free.
Step Five Build Drawers
Choose joint style. Half blind dovetails praise the eye. Locking rabbet saves time. Pocket screws work under a false front.
Groove for bottom near drawer lower edge. Drop bottom in from back then pin to rear.
Build drawer box one sixteenth inch short in height and width. Plane light shavings for silky slide.
Wax both runners and drawer sides with paste wax. Slide and mark rubs. Plane high spots. When glide feels smooth set reveals with spacer sticks. Hot glue false front if used. Screw from inside last.
Add leather pads at back for soft stop. Center wood knob on each drawer. Brass knobs also fit Shaker mood.
Step Six Pick a Base Style
- Four legs with gentle taper share classic vibe.
- Bracket base with cove adds shadow.
- Straight skirt with small sweep at ends stays calm.
All base parts can be three quarter thick if joinery broad.
Step Seven Sand For Smooth Feel
Start at one twenty grit then shift to one eighty. Raise grain with wet cloth if you pick water clear finish. Card scraper shines cherry. Ease edges with two light passes.
Dust out holes with paint brush then vacuum. Wipe with dry rag.
Step Eight Finish Time
Cherry loves oil.
- Flood Danish oil. Wait twenty minutes. Wipe dry. Repeat day two.
- Wait a week. Buff wax for glow.
For more shield use shellac then three coats wipe on poly. Sand three twenty between coats.
Oak paths.
- Water clear keeps white oak pale.
- Oil first then water poly warms a hair.
- Dark stain on red oak case then natural white oak drawers gives bold contrast.
Inside drawers need low odor. Two coats water clear on sides and back. Leave runner face bare.
Apply finish with rag or brush. Slow pace lets you see flaws while wet.
Common Build Bumps
Case not square. Loosen clamps while glue wet. Pull corner with clamp block. Tighten.
Drawer binds. Check runner level with stick. Plane high runner or shim low one. Wax again.
Gap at dovetail. Pare shoulder clean. Tap thin end grain sliver into gap. Sand flush.
Glue squeeze in corner. Scoop with straw or damp stick scrap.
Cherry blotch. Seal with thin shellac on test piece first.
Cost and Time Plan
A home builder working nights and weekends can finish in six weeks. First week mills lumber. Second and third build case. Fourth fits drawers. Fifth shapes legs and base. Sixth finishes and mounts knobs.
Cherry dresser lands near four hundred bucks for lumber in many regions. Oak can drop cost. Hardware costs little. Slides add if used.
Buy rough boards from a yard. Mill your own. Save cash and pick sweet grain.
Design Tweaks That Stay True
- Arch on front rail.
- Carved cove pull across each front.
- Small bead on drawer face edges.
- Two knobs on wide bottom drawer for balance.
Color pairings.
- Natural cherry darkens over years.
- Dark red oak shell with white oak faces looks smart.
- Clear maple lifts light rooms.
Build Sequence Check
- Mill parts.
- Glue panels.
- Trim sides top bottom.
- Cut corner joints.
- Build dust frames plus divider.
- Fit frames to sides.
- Add rails then glue case.
- Fit back.
- Add runners.
- Build drawers.
- Fit top.
- Sand and finish.
- Install knobs.
Print list. Cross each line as you move.
Safety Notes
Sharp blades slice clean. Use push stick on saw. Keep bench swept. Mark each part back face to keep track.
Talk to wood if you like. Calm mind keeps fingers safe.
Slide Hardware Option
Full extension soft close slides at eighteen inch give modern glide. Build drawer width to spec from maker. Use spacer blocks during install. Test slide before final screws.
Example Plans Two Sizes
Six drawer chest summary.
- Width thirty nine depth twenty one height forty nine.
- Drawer set two small top four deep below.
- Top panel gains one inch overhang front and sides.
Long low dresser summary.
- Width sixty depth twenty height thirty.
- Drawer set three on top three on bottom.
- Center divider front to back plus runners each bay.
Adjust in small steps so look holds.
Shop Tips You Might Love
- Playing cards make quick shims for front reveal.
- Candle wax on screw threads drives easy.
- Drill pilot through frame into divider then slot rear hole for float.
- Keep story stick marked with all frame heights.
Little acts add up to crisp work.
Frequently Asked Spots
- How hard is this build*
An intermediate worker can handle it with patience. The box is simple. Drawer fit needs care. Take time.
- What wood fits first dresser*
Cherry cuts clean and ages well. Poplar inside saves cash. Maple runners last.
- Do I need sliding dovetails*
No. Dados with screws work. Sliding dovetail adds pride and strength.
- How do I get even gaps*
Cut spacer sticks. Tape them in place while you screw front. Remove tape last.
- How does the top move free*
Use figure eight fasteners or slotted holes in frame rails with washer head screws.
- What finish smells least inside*
Water clear dries fast and smells mild. Two light coats work fine.
- When will cherry darken*
Change shows in weeks with sun. Color deepens for years.
Photo Moments
- Grain matched fronts on bench.
- Clamp stack on dust frame.
- Saw sled cutting dovetail tails.
- Runner layout with spacer stick.
- First oil wipe catching light.
Pictures help memory and teach others.
Deeper Fixes
Long drawer twists. Add thin center guide under drawer plus groove in drawer bottom.
Case racks side to side. Add back rail near middle or brace in back.
Face frame joints show gap. Work warm hide glue into seam then clamp.
Simple Care After Build
Wax runners each year. Wipe thin oil on top every few years if finished with oil. Tighten knobs when loose. Keep dresser clear of heat vents.
Treat dresser kindly and it will outlast trends.
Internal Links For Study
- Read dovetail basics.
- Learn board selection for grain flow.
- Study wipe on finish choices.
- Try the matching Shaker night stand next.
Final Word
You now hold clear shaker dresser plans plus plain advice. Set your pace slow. Measure once more than you think. Plane thin shavings. Listen for that soft drawer hush. That one sound proves the craft and starts new stories.