The Cheap Fix That Will Buy Your Busted Dresser Drawer A Little More Time

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As with most furniture items, dressers can become worn over the years. The most noticeable signs of this are when the dresser's drawers keep sliding out or the bottom begins sagging. And at some point, it seems the bottom of a drawer will simply give out completely, as if the weight of your latest pair of pants was the final straw in its tiny wooden existence. But don't pitch that dresser just yet. Consider buying your dresser a bit more time by applying a wood cutting board strip as a support bar across the underside of the drawer, in addition to wooden cleats to act as a brace. Essentially, you're going to create a wood support beam that will span the depth of the drawer's underside to prevent sagging.

The base of many dresser drawers, like the back of them, is often made of MDF or particleboard, both of which are constructed from wood-based products such as shavings and sawdust. Particleboard is known to last around two to three years. MDF is more durable and can generally last around 10 years. So, if your drawer is starting to droop a bit, a slight structural upgrade may help you get more years out of it. This simple, affordable repair is just as easy as your everyday duct tape hack ... well, almost. For this project, you'll need an oscillating multi-tool, like this one from Hammerhead, wood glue, vise grips, wood cleats (optional), a drill, wood screws, and a wood cutting board strip. You can find an oscillating multi-tool and drill for less than $50, and all the other items can be purchased for under $10.

First, measure the sagging drawer's bottom and determine the best spot to add reinforcements, as well as the measurements for your wood strip. Next, place the drawer upside down on a work table and secure it with vise grips. Then, use your multi-tool to cut out small sections of the lower portion of both drawer sides to mount your wood strip. Next, drill two pilot holes, one at each end of the wood strip. Then, secure the strip in place with screws (you can also use a screwdriver). For additional reinforcement, add wooden cleats to the drawer's underside, positioning them against the drawer sides (in the middle), and use wood glue (or screws) to secure them.

Consider using a flat steel bar instead of the wood strip if you prefer a more solid lower support bar. You'll install it in the same fashion, though it may have pre-drilled holes for easy attachment. Adding two wood strips for more stable support may also be helpful. You can install four corner brackets on the underside of the corners of the drawer to fortify these areas if they've become unglued. 

Using plastic wedges is another quick fix for a sagging dresser drawer so you don't have to toss it. To do this, place multiple plastic wedge supports along the drawer's back edge where the bottom panel meets the back side for more stability. Wedges can be used in addition to the support piece and side cleats — something that may be helpful if you have heavy clothing in the drawers. If the sagging board is beyond repair, simply replacing it with another board is also an affordable option.