Building a LEGO-Inspired Dresser: A DIY Project for Brick Builders

If you’re like me, you probably grew up surrounded by mountains of Lego bricks, spending hours snapping those iconic pieces together into everything from castles and race cars to spaceships and mini-towns. Now that we’re grown-ups (kinda), I thought, why not bring that same playful, creative spirit into furniture?

This project aimed to capture that childlike appeal by making a Lego-inspired statement piece. My son is a huge fan of Lego, so I decided to surprise him with this build for his bedroom but it would be perfect for a game room, office, or simply for anyone who appreciates a playful twist on traditional furniture design. 

So, let’s talk about the steps I took to build this Lego-inspired dresser. First I started by using maple plywood for the casework and drawer front panels and went with maple hardwood for the raised studs. The finished product balances the warmth and sophistication of wood with the nostalgic charm of everyone’s favorite building bricks.

Planning and Designing a Lego Dresser

Inspiration and Concept:
For me, the idea struck while watching my son build one of his many Lego sets. I wanted something that would evoke that fun, creative energy without resorting to plastic replicas and wanted to scale up the fun to a 1:24 model. The challenge was to find a way to capture the spirit of Lego bricks in a durable, high-quality piece of furniture. The combination of maple plywood and hardwood offered the perfect blend of sturdiness and a fine, uniform grain.

Sketching and Dimensions:
I started exactly where one should start when trying to design a Lego dresser, with actual Logo bricks of course. For this dresser design, I opted for four standard 2x4 Lego bricks and two standard 1x4 Lego bricks. The feet are attached using some 1x1 studs or snot (studs not on top) pieces. Yeah, that's a new one for me too. After I had my model in hand, I used SketchUp to help with the intricacies of the plan. 

What's the Best Wood to Use for a Dresser?

Maple Plywood for the Case and Drawer Fronts:
Plywood, just like Lego, is sturdy, stable, and resists warping better than many other materials. Maple’s fine grain makes it ideal for painting or staining, though you can get some splotching now and then. Plywood also comes in large sheets, making it easy to cut the dresser sides, top, bottom, and internal supports with minimal seams and without having to construct the panels from hardwood, which is a huge time savings.

Maple Hardwood for the Studs:
To achieve that iconic Lego look, I needed raised round “studs.” Using a CNC machine allowed me to precisely cut numerous identical cylinders from maple hardwood. Unlike plywood, hardwood can be cut into clean, crisp shapes with well-defined edges without worrying about the exposed laminated layers. These studs will later be attached to the drawer fronts to mimic the look of real Lego bricks.

Building the Lego Dresser Drawer Fronts

Designing the Stud Layout:
A Lego brick layout is all about uniform spacing. I chose a pattern where each drawer front would resemble a large, flat Lego plate, complete with evenly spaced studs. I used a combination of pencils and rules to mark where the center of each stud would go, ensuring a consistent grid across all drawers.

CNC Cutting the Studs:
After drafting a simple CAD file for the studs—just circles of a given diameter—, I fired up the CNC to cut halfway through the thickness of the studs. I could only cut about half way because the bit I had was not long enough to go all the way through the thick stock. I then had to rough cut them out at the bandsaw and then clean them up at the router table. The result: dozens of identical hardwood pucks with smooth edges, perfect for gluing onto the drawer fronts. A bit (or more) of sanding smoothed out any minor burns and saw marks.

Attaching the Studs:
With the studs in hand, I next routed small reliefs onto each drawer fronts. These mortises will snuggly hold the studs in place. From there, I squeezed a small dab of wood glue on each circle’s backside, pressed them into the mortises on the drawer fronts, and then secured them through the back with a few pin nails.

Finishing Touches

Choosing a Finish:
You have a couple of options here: you could embrace the iconic Lego color palette with a bright coat of paint or let the natural beauty of the maple shine through with a clear finish. I opted for a compromise of the two and used a pigmented finish from Rubio Monocoat. I used both the emerald color and midnight indigo. With this, you end up with the best of both worlds, still being able to see the grain through the finish and a pop of color. I did leave a few of the drawer fronts in a natural, clear-finished state as well.

Hardware and Accessories:
For the Lego look, minimalist drawer pulls or even going pull-less keeps the illusion intact. Instead of adding pulls, one of the studs has a recess in the back. In doing it this way, I did not have to take away from the authentic Lego design. 

Showcasing Your Lego Inspired Dresser

This dresser is bound to attract attention. So, put it in a fun space where its aesthetic inspires creativity. A piece like this can be as playful or as sophisticated as you want. Pair it with colorful storage bins, playful rugs, or even an iconic Lego set displayed nearby to fully embrace the theme. My son has already displayed some of his favorite Lego builds on top! For a more grown-up twist, use it in a home office or studio as a nod to your inner child or even display some of those awesome retro Lego builds.

Creating a Lego-inspired dresser allows you to merge the timeless joy of building bricks with the craftsmanship of fine woodworking. Throughout this process, I rediscovered my love for Lego and the satisfaction of seeing a playful concept come to life. Whether you choose bright Lego colors or a subtle natural tone, remember that the point is to have fun and embrace your creativity.

I hope this project inspires you to think outside the box and try something daring with your own furniture designs. If you give this a try, share your results! I’d love to see how you bring your own spin to a Lego-inspired piece. Happy building!