Planning and Design

• Before you begin any project, you must have a plan. For a chest of drawers, take measurements of the space you plan to place the furniture. You can use these measurements to determine the ideal height and width of the dresser itself, ensuring that the project is a perfect fit. You should also decide how many drawers and what size drawers you would like to have.
  
  You can also determine a look and feel for the overall project. A chest of drawers features basic construction, so you can spruce it up with intricate molding, stencils or custom paint. If you are stumped for ideas, consider the other furniture in the room for ideas. You may wish to use the same colors and wood for the chest of drawers.
  
  

Assembly

• When assembling the chest of drawers, you will use your measurements and cut the chosen wood down to size. For wood, you can choose to use softer woods such as pine or cedar. Soft woods are easy to work with, however they may dent or scratch easily. Hard woods, such as maple, birch or cherry, are more resistant to damage. However, they are a bit more difficult to work with and may not be ideal for those who are do-it-yourself beginners. Both types of wood will last long if properly sealed and maintained.
  
  To cut the wood for the drawers, the overall drawer should be exactly one inch smaller in both height and width in order to fit into the drawer opening. The drawer should also be at least two to three inches shorter than the overall depth of the dresser. When choosing wood for the construction of the drawer, you can use half inch thick plywood. For the face panel of the drawer, use the same wood you have chosen for the overall project.
  
  Once the pieces have been cut to size, you can assemble the drawer using nails and wood glue. Be sure to check along the way that each drawer fits into the designated space and make any adjustments as needed.
  
  You can stain or paint your dresser at any point of the project. If you are painting or staining prior to assembly, allow each piece ample drying time. Otherwise, you will end up with unwanted blemishes. Following stain or paint, be sure to use a sealant to ensure protection and create a lasting final product.