How to Build a Modern Dresser with Open Shelf

I built another modern dresser to match my complete bedroom set! In the last video, I shared one dresser design that would match the bed and nightstand set I built two years ago. I've been wanting to "complete the set" with a dresser, but couldn't decide what style to build it.
So I just built TWO of them. This is the second version and I think it's my personal favorite, but they both turned out nice, so it's a tough call.
The last DIY dresser build was taller and skinnier and looked more like a chest of drawers vs a DRESSER. This one I built shorter and wider and with an open shelf to make it feel more dresser-ey.
I'm sharing the details, materials list, and step by step tutorial here:
www.woodshopdiaries.com/diy-m...
And the printable plans can be found here:
woodshop-diaries.myshopify.co...
For the complete set, check out this page:
www.woodshopdiaries.com/categ...
And for the guide on how to build drawers, see:
www.woodshopdiaries.com/there...

[@user-ci6xd8xk2p]

Красиво и современно. Приятно смотреть на работу и на мастера.

[@jenahammond111]

Wow! Beautiful build. I love the combination of farmhouse modern. Definitely going to check out your other videos! Thanks!

[@CMch22]

Loving this design. To me it's a great hybrid between a sideboard and dresser

[@whykenneth]

Simple nice and beautiful! Good job!

[@jasonlopez4214]

Nice build love the handles I'm going to build a smaller version for my place thanks for the idea 😊

[@jamartin1]

Nice!🙌 thank you for sharing!!

[@bennierheeder7015]

That poplar is really beautiful!

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks so much!

[@chrispagnotta9487]

That is so pretty. Well done. I'm learning so much from you. 🙏

[@marcocastilla8148]

Thanks Shara, I will definitely purchase the plans, your designs are pretty beautiful and functionals!

[@mehmethanaydn3113]

believe it looks beautiful from here

[@completestranger922]

I didn't know that about poplar. Thank you for the tip!

[@mwhite202020]

Thank you for your videos!! You have truly inspired me to take the plunge into woodworking.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

That’s so great to hear! I appreciate that. Good luck and happy building!!

[@airsoftdudechannel6180]

What a nice build 👏👏👏

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you!

[@GabeSchultz1]

Great build. Love the little details of this!

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you!!

[@r3viladdict54]

I'm so inspired by this. Never done like this before. I was just looking for a new dresser w/ shelves on top and almost can't find the perfect one but this one looks exactly like what I need for my room. Amazing video and keep up the good work.

[@davekimball3610]

Awesome, been waiting for this one. Never saw poplar look so nice till this set of builds.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks so much!! I love poplar..,I know that’s an unpopular opinion (or do I mean unpoplar?? Haha)

[@foos.998]

Another gorgeous piece!

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you!! This is my favorite!

[@DesignCraftWorkshop]

really awesome build!

[@houseoftimbers]

Love the design! I lean more towards modern builds than farmhouse. And this would look great in my home! Thanks for the inspo!

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Same! I love modern vs rustic and farmhouse stuff 😍😍

[@nhelzkiealfaro1790]

I love woodworking ♥️♥️♥️

[@mel-ink]

I really like this design, hmmm

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you 👍

[@garfstiglz3981]

Absolutely brilliant job... love it..

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you!

[@AngieWilliamsDesigns]

Turned out great!

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you!

[@holdemNE1]

Very attractive dresser. Enjoyed the video. Thanks for taking us along for the journey.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks so much for watching!!

[@bobbysharp]

Great build as expected!

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you!

[@Jones572]

Love it🤙🏾💯...Looks really great!

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you 👍

[@adamepb]

What a great tip on coloration of poplar. I had this issue with my poplar as well. Thanks for sharing!

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks so much! I really love poplar when it gets its “tan” haha

[@pteddie6965]

Another great video. The bedroom set design is outstanding. Thanks for sharing. Stay safe.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you so much!!

[@PauloSilva-ll4vs]

I love it, I'll do one for my daughter, I liked a lot the front of the drawer, you cared about the wood patern, it is so wonderful. Great job!

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks so much! Good luck with your build!

[@chrissleblanc]

Yet another beautiful build ,I do the floating look as well but on the counter top base 😆😆

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you!!

[@diyhuntress]

That continuous grain on the drawers... 🤤 You’re making me want to build a dresser (maybe in my rain boots too 😘) SO badly!

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks so much Sam!! You can totally build one!! Also I highly recommend the rain boots 😂😂😎

[@gustavomocampo]

Que lindo mueble. Y muy prolija tu forma de hacerlo 👍

[@muhsinyetisgin9024]

Shara, you re great. Good job.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks so much!

[@hillbilly59apache59]

Thanks for the tip on turning poplar brown 👍👍

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Hope it's helfpul! 👍

[@johnkelley9877]

It looks really good! I did not know about leaving poplar out in the sun to brown up but that is a useful tip. Thanks for sharing this.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

I found it out by accident a while back. Good to know 😉 thanks so much for watching!

[@sandilemabaso9001]

Love it!

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you 👍

[@jacoboalamea717]

Good job Shara Beautiful proyect

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks so much!

[@kennymysak2079]

Turned out really great I made a hope chest for my niece for graduation present did a barndoor style sides and the top has her name and everything she was in during her school years she loved it. Going to be making some cornhole boards here shortly. Keep up the great videos

[@WoodshopDiaries]

That’s awesome! I’m sure your niece loves it!

[@allent555]

Great video!

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you!

[@karimalhaddad9949]

Very nice. Many thanks 😊🙏

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you 👍

[@FredMcIntyre]

Turned out great Shara! 😃👍🏻👊🏻

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks so much!! 👍🔨🔨

[@mireillekipe1270]

Comme d'habitude, simple et élégant a la fois, ceci vient compléter l'ameublement de la chambre a coucher

[@timdyer7692]

Another very nice project! I like the way you used a single board for the drawer fronts, I noticed that in the picture. Also, thanks for all the detail in your video.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks so much! I was so happy the drawer fronts worked out for this!

[@clickster1883]

For what it’s worth, when checking out the finished dresser in the vid’s intro and thumbnail image I didn’t even notice the top of the two drawer fronts not being flush with the shelf. And after you pointed it out during the build I looked for that specifically in the shots of the completed project, and it looked fine! You did a great job on this build. Well done!

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks so much!!

[@rodrigo_ml3]

Excelente trabajo Shara! Gracias por compartirnos tus ideas, contenido y forma de hacer las cosas Eres muy práctica, todo es muy sencillo y claro. Un saludo!

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you so much!!

[@edrees3528]

Well done. Looks great and all the proportions work to make it a piece you might keep for yrs...I’ve noticed if it ain’t right to the eye I always build another!

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks so much! I’m planning to keep it a while. I’m actually using it now as a TV console haha

[@georgejones6309]

Girl u got mad skills!

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you!

[@joaquinvazquez685]

Hermoso mueble 👍🏼

[@roniecabigonsanchez4398]

Nice one

[@sheilaeish]

When I seen the thumbnail I immediately clicked. Can't wait for your next project. You nailed it !!!

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks so much!! I appreciate you following along!

[@vicentevercher1973]

Me encanta!!! Me motiva verte trabajar Gracias

[@-pero-]

I like your works. Good luck.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you!

[@wilsonparana2427]

you are very good!

[@carlosmariocorralesrivera9537]

Que buen trabajo, un saludo desde Medellín colombia

[@JayBergCustoms]

I noticed the continuous grain immediately. Would never have seen the slight shelf reveal above the top drawer if you hadn't mentioned it. Love this!!

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks so much! I was so glad it worked out to use the one board for the fronts!

[@AldoBarzotti]

Hi Shara, I follow you from Brazil and I would like to congratulate you... your design and forniture are so amazing! I hope to get my shop soon to build that because I like this kind of furniture... Parabéns!

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you!! I appreciate that and I appreciate you following along!

[@felixfromnebraska8648]

Very nice build Shara! You have some skills, my friend. Thanks for sharing! Felix. ps: love the rain boots.....

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Haha thanks so much!

[@jeanloreaud9282]

Joli travail comme d'habitude bravo à bientôt salut Jeannot 🛠😉

[@howardaappel194]

Very nice

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you!

[@DMAG-3200]

Hi Shara, nice design I like that. Love the finish. Look consistent in color to the other pieces. Awesome video. The boots look comfy. I go with my slippers sometimes, easy to put on and also comfy.😌 lol 🙂

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks so much! I like fuzzy house shoes and I get them covered in sawdust from walking out here in them all the time so I decided to switch to rain boots...easier to clean than fuzzy slippers haha.

[@DMAG-3200]

Just gotta run the shop vac over them

[@janaa.s3170]

Amo seus vídeos, mesmo não entendendo o que você diz, só de olhar o passo a passo consigo entender tudo corretamente. Muito obrigado por dividir seu conhecimento, grande beijo do Brasil 🥰🇧🇷

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks so much!!

[@TheBeerbelly007]

Yeap, I was looking forward to seeing the boots--

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Every. Single. Time. 😂😂

[@whykenneth]

I thought "boobs"

[@matthewreitz9054]

I've avoided building with poplar because I didn't like the green - countless hours of research on the internet on how to remove the green turned up nothing. Thank you so much for the tip!

[@WoodshopDiaries]

I figured it out by accident after leaving a piece in front of my shop window for a few days. I then started googling about it. So weird...who would have thought? Glad I could help 👍

[@Dragons7]

Beautiful job....blessings from Algeria. By the way try to build up dust system

[@jfred1924]

Two thumbs up

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks so much!

[@derekpeterson8005]

Shara you are amazing and fun to watch!

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you so much! I appreciate that!

[@Curioso5697]

Hermoso

[@javieribanez5927]

Hermoso🤗

[@ivanandreeh1353]

Nice

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks so much!

[@RPfields8946]

Parabéns

[@robertocarloscamposclaud-ie9ic]

Muy bonito tu trabajo muñeca

[@a.r.5929]

You really like long pulls

[@curryking4484]

master of pocket hole.

[@loriarntfield9787]

very nice job. i think i will give it a try. love the drawer handles, where did you get them? keep up the good work

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks so much! It’s all listed and linked over the blog post 👍

[@cwhite20111]

You're videos give me a ton of inspiration! How did you learn? Because I'm just getting started

[@WoodshopDiaries]

I really appreciate that! I'm self taught--just lots of trial and error and practice :)

[@ma1899]

Nice! :)

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you 👍

[@lungbuster341]

Being a fellow Kentuckian, It makes me happy that you pronounce oil correctly😀. I enjoy your design elements. Have you ever thought about doing other styles of joinery such as mortise and tenon just to challenge yourself?

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you! My goal in my content is to create projects that are simple and easy for beginner to intermediate woodworkers. Those are my people. So my focus is on simple and inexpensive (as in, few tools required) joinery. The vast majority of my followers just want a project they can make in a weekend and not over the course of a month 👍

[@lungbuster341]

I know you have a table saw and router and it could be easy enough to make M&T joints, but you make and excellent point on your viewers that I hadn’t considered. I digress, I do watch your videos for design elements and use of different materials. Keep up the good work

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you!!

[@polemack]

Great vídeo Shara ! As usual should I say ! By the way, just for the records, how long did it take to build it ? Regards

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks so much! It’s always hard to say because I never work on anything straight through...I’ve always got a few things going at once. Plus it took a while just waiting for glue to dry. I built it over the course of a week working a couple hours a day, then letting glue dry and coming back the next day or later in the afternoon after glue was set up.

[@DustyWorkbench]

Wow! What a beautiful piece! What was the hardest part of the build?

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you!! The hardest part is always the filming and the editing. This was a fairly simple project 👍

[@wolfbaker8415]

Nice build looks nice do you use sketch up or some program to design your furniture

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you! I rough sketch everything on paper, build it, then come back and draw it in sketchup to make plans.

[@jorgecely1777]

Están usando tus vídeos como propios otras personas.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Can you tell me where to find them?

[@JayBergCustoms]

I wear Cole Hahn hiking boots when I build, and I STILL get sawdust and splinters that work their way into my boots and eventually stick through my socks into my feet. How do you not end up with a ton of stuff in those rain boots???

[@WoodshopDiaries]

I just mostly get sawdust...nothing big...stuck in there. I guess I get used to it 😂😂🙈

[@m.r1164]

I love your work, one question though....are your 2x2s same as 4x4cm....I see that u love to use 2x2

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you! 2x2s are the nominal dimension...they are actually 1 1/2” x 1 1/2” square 👍

[@m.r1164]

@@WoodshopDiaries thank u for the kind gesture of getting back to me, I appreciate it. Point noted about the 2x2s 😊. Am a beginner DIYER hence would need a lot of guidance if u don't mind sharing your knowledge.

[@iQVidz]

Nice build!! Have you had any issues with wood movement since this is made from solid wood instead of sheet goods?

[@WoodshopDiaries]

I haven’t. I check it regularly for cracks and stuff just out of curiosity and haven’t seen any yet. I also have some very similar nightstands I made several years ago that match this and they’ve spent a summer in a storage unit and been through three moves and they don’t have any issues either.

[@iQVidz]

@@WoodshopDiaries awesome. I built a few pieces with solid wood and pocket holes and it started to crack over about 8 months so I'm planning on trying this out but with floating panels. This looks amazing!!!

[@WoodshopDiaries]

I’ve 100% honestly never had an issue with any of my pocket hole furniture except on one occasion when I attached a table top to a table base with pocket hole screws and the top split. I later learned to use a different method, but it only happened to one out of probably ten or more tables I’ve built the exact same way.

[@iQVidz]

@@WoodshopDiaries awesome!!! I'll give it a go

[@bignamek]

Really interested in buying these plans to use for a TV stand. Would I be able to make it longer with this design and not need additional support? Or would another one in the middle be best?

[@WoodshopDiaries]

I’d suggest adding a support in the middle if you made it longer. I think the shelf would tend to sag if it spanned much longer

[@bignamek]

@@WoodshopDiaries thanks for the tip. Can screws be used rather than dowels?

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Depending on how you use the screws, the length, type, etc, yes screws instead of dowels work, too 👍

[@alexmotivates4975]

What is the quote unquote best way to secure the dresser top? I’m asking for a friend. Hehehe

[@WoodshopDiaries]

It depends on several factors and who you ask. There are lots of brackets (like figure 8 tabs) you can use that allow for wood movement but sometimes I also do it in ways that don’t allow for movement and they’ve been fine. But if it’s a plywood top, it doesn’t make much difference either way.

[@TheDrblu]

Where do you get all your drawer slides from and do you buy in bulk or am I just a complete cheap a$$ when it comes to buying drawer slides for something I plan on building for myself

[@WoodshopDiaries]

I buy them in ten packs on amazon 👍 they’re about $6 a piece for 16” slides (not soft close...that’s a little more expensive(

[@RCW-Designs]

Love this dresser. How long did it take you to make it?

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks! It’s always hard to say because I’m usually working on multiple things at once and waiting for glue to dry. I built this over the course of a week working a few hours a day-ish.

[@RCW-Designs]

@@WoodshopDiaries I understand that. My son is turning 13 soon and loves this line. He's watched most of the videos with me. We might have to sit down and figure out how to turn it into a loft bed with a built in desk now lol.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

That would be awesome!

[@stevenorman8598]

I am from mayfield and watch. Where do you get your rough sawed poplar. If you don’t mind sharing

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Small world! I get it at Goodman’s 👍

[@ceelojayy]

what are the final dimensions for this dresser? i want to build this myself!

[@WoodshopDiaries]

You can find them here: woodshop-diaries.myshopify.com/collections/printable-pdf-building-plans/products/modern-4-drawer-dresser-plans

[@michaeldendor5923]

What sealer did you use on these?

[@WoodshopDiaries]

It’s it in the video and linked in the blog post below

[@marylittles3747]

How do I learn to be good at what you do? That is my dream to be able to work with wood?

[@WoodshopDiaries]

I’ve just learned through trial and error over the last few years. Just takes time, patience and practice 👍

[@annezuba9509]

About how much did the materials for this dresser cost?

[@WoodshopDiaries]

There’s a materials list in the blog post. Lumber prices vary greatly so it’s best to take the materials list and figure what it would cost in your area for materials

[@shootinblanks007]

Rain boots and woodworking? Sawdust absorbs foot sweat...lmao

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Dusty feet isn’t the price I pay for the convenience of slip on shoes 🤷‍♀️

[@heimwerkerzeit]

If I could, I would give you 100 likes. 😀👍

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you so much!! That makes my day!

[@heimwerkerzeit]

@@WoodshopDiaries 😀

[@kays.1129]

You should be an affiliate. I'm purchasing several items based on your videos. I keep checking to see if you have affiliate links for your service and referral. If this were Twitter I would @ the companies. I'm sure you're working on it so good luck!! Hope it comes soon!

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Hi! Thanks so much! I actually have affiliate links to the tools and materials I used in the project here in the plans. You can find everything linked here: www.woodshopdiaries.com/diy-modern-dresser-with-open-shelf/

[@kays.1129]

@@WoodshopDiaries Great! I'll use those!

[@irvinwittmeier5208]

!;-)

[@christianhowell9434]

I might try to build this. But am I the only one that wears jeans boots and long sleeves to build out of wood

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Cool! When it’s 100 degrees in the shop, I dress for the heat. In the winter, I wear jeans, boots and coats.

[@gussieswarms9997]

I think I'm going to try this for a TV stand for my man cave.

[@JetSkiBuyFixPlaySellChannel]

Fox alert.