How to Build DIY Drawers: A Step-by-Step Woodworking Guide

Learn how to build custom DIY drawers with ease! Save money, avoid mistakes, and upgrade your space with this beginner-friendly woodworking guide.

Building your own drawers is one of the most practical woodworking projects you can take on. Whether you’re upgrading your kitchen, organizing a bathroom nook, or adding storage to your garage, DIY drawers can save you a lot of money compared to buying custom options.

That said, making drawers—especially dealing with drawer slides and measurements—can be tricky. I’ve had a few failed attempts and a few wins, and I’m sharing what I’ve learned to help you succeed on your first (or next) try.

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Please read the whole post so you don’t miss any important information!

What I’ve Learned About Building Drawers

Before jumping into the tutorial, here are some key lessons from my trial-and-error drawer builds:

Measure carefully before ordering drawer slides – Drawer slides require precise spacing. Double-check the gap requirements listed in the slide’s instructions.
Not all drawer slides are the same – Choose the right type for your project (side-mount, under-mount, soft-close, etc.).
Your drawer height can be minimal – For example, a kitchen Tupperware drawer only needs to be a few inches tall to hold containers. Taller sides just waste wood.
Leave proper clearance on both sides when fitting drawers to a space like above the toilet (like ours)– This allows your drawers to open and close smoothly. You don’t want a perfect fit.

How to Make Drawers

Project Supplies

3/4″ Purebond Plywood, Birch https://homedepot.sjv.io/10eem
1/4″ 4×8 Purebond Plywood https://homedepot.sjv.io/7m20NQ
Table Saw/Router
Ryobi Drill https://homedepot.sjv.io/a1EdkQ
Sander- Ryobi Cordless CAT Sander https://homedepot.sjv.io/x9xJ4d
Kreg Pocket Hole System (big one) https://homedepot.sjv.io/2rPRxg
Kreg Pocket Hole Screws in Big Box https://amzn.to/3VgDsKW
Measuring tape with all of the markings https://amzn.to/3GTWNhc
Wood Glue https://homedepot.sjv.io/5b4JQo
3/4″ solid wood (for drawer front)
Drawer slides
Drawer knobs or handles
Laser engraver (optional, for decorative fronts)
Acrylic markers (optional): https://amzn.to/448euoT

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1: Measure Your Space

Start by measuring your cabinet or shelf opening to determine the size of the drawer box and drawer front. Adjust measurements based on the slide requirements.

Step 2: Cut the Drawer Pieces

Cut the following from your 3/4″ plywood:

2 side panels (full depth of the drawer)
1 front and 1 back panel (width = opening – side panel thickness – slide clearance)

Cut a 1/4″ plywood panel for the drawer bottom.

Step 3: Cut the Bottom Groove

Use a table saw or router to cut a 1/4″ deep groove along the bottom edge of each side, front, and back panel. This is where the drawer bottom will slide in.

Finished custom DIY drawer built from wood, shown installed in a cabinet for home storage or kitchen organization.

Step 4: Assemble the Drawer Box

Attach the two side panels to the back panel using pocket holes and wood glue.

Wooden drawer side panels being attached to a back panel using pocket holes and clamps during DIY drawer assembly.

Add wood glue into the grooves and slide in the 1/4″ plywood bottom.

Attach the front panel to complete the box.

DIY drawer box with wood glue in grooves and 1/4" plywood bottom being slid into place before attaching the front panel.

Step 5: Sand and Prep

Once dry, sand all sides and edges smooth. Wipe away dust.

Adding the Drawer Front

Step 6: Cut the Drawer Front

Cut a piece of 3/4″ solid wood (like pine) slightly larger than the drawer box front. Make sure there’s about 1/4″-1/2″ clearance on either side so it doesn’t rub against adjacent supports or walls.

Optional: Use a laser engraver to add a design, and fill it in with acrylic markers.

Close-up of a wooden drawer front with a laser-engraved design being filled in with colorful acrylic markers.

Step 7: Mount the Drawer Slides

Mount the drawer slides to the side of the drawer box and the cabinet supports or side cleats. Never mount drawer slides directly into drywall—use wood strips anchored to studs or drywall anchors for secure mounting.

As you can see in the bottom photo below, I added drawer dividers to mine to help organize and keep the medicine drawer tidy.

Installing metal drawer slides on the side of a wooden DIY drawer box with wooden cleats inside a cabinet.

Step 8: Attach the Front Panel

With the drawer installed, align and clamp the front panel in place. Glue it on and let it dry completely.

The photo below shows the blank piece of wood for the front panel being held up. If you note on the left, there’s a light switch. MAJOR issue… If I needed that drawer to open further than the light switch, I’d be out of luck. Fortunately it worked out. That’s called PURE LUCK.

I tend to make things exactly the right size though and opening and closing is tricky… I needed to make my front panels slightly less wide so I had plenty of leeway for easy opening and closing.

Wooden drawer front panel being held and aligned before gluing on a DIY drawer installation next to a light switch.

Here’s a photo with two fronts installed and one not…

Two wooden drawer fronts fully installed next to a drawer box without its front panel, showing the progress of a DIY drawer project

Step 9: Add Finishing Touches

Attach your drawer pulls or knobs.
Add drawer dividers.
Optionally, paint or seal the wood for a polished, long-lasting finish.

I use small baskets for the open shelves. I LOVE how these drawers came out. They’re super useful and I just need to do a decent replication in our 1/2 bath downstairs.

Close-up of hands attaching drawer pulls on a wooden drawer front.

Wooden drawer with custom dividers neatly organizing small items.

Final Thoughts on DIY Drawer Projects

Building drawers is a great way to level up your woodworking skills while creating functional, custom storage. While sizing and hardware can be frustrating at first, once you get the hang of it, it’s incredibly satisfying (and addicting!) to make your own.