A chest of drawers has a straightforward job: store things neatly and make them easy to reach. This custom Oak chest takes that familiar format and gives it a cleaner, more considered finish through its grain-matched drawer fronts, recessed pulls and carefully proportioned cabinet.
The project is shown through the workshop stages, from the carcass and drawer components through to the completed six-drawer piece. It is a good example of how small details can change the feel of everyday storage furniture.
Starting with the Oak grain
The first views show Oak boards being prepared for the chest. The timber has a clear, linear grain that works well across a wide front. When the drawer fronts are laid out in sequence, the grain creates a visual connection between the separate drawers.
That matters on a chest of drawers. Without some relationship between the fronts, six drawers can read as six unrelated panels. Here, the grain and pale Oak tone give the front a continuous, calm appearance while the drawer gaps keep each section legible.
The front design uses narrow horizontal reveals rather than projecting handles. This gives the piece a flatter profile and keeps the focus on the timber.
Building the carcass and drawers
The workshop images show the cabinet being assembled with the internal frame exposed. The chest is arranged as two columns of three drawers, creating useful storage without making the front too wide or visually heavy.
At this stage, the drawer boxes and cabinet sides are still open to view. The construction sequence makes the structure easy to read: a solid outer cabinet, internal supports and individual drawers that need to align cleanly within the face frame.
The drawer fronts are then fitted to the cabinet. The recessed pulls sit along the upper edge of each drawer, giving the user a natural place to open it without adding separate hardware to the face.
Recessed pulls and a cleaner front
The horizontal pulls are one of the most noticeable practical details. They create a consistent rhythm across all six drawers and avoid interrupting the Oak grain with prominent metal handles.
This type of detail is useful when the goal is custom furniture that feels quiet and built-in. The chest still has a clear front-to-back function, but the face remains simple enough for the timber to do most of the visual work.
The side panels also show the cabinet's depth and the way the grain continues around the body. From an angle, it is clear that the piece is not only a collection of drawer fronts; the outer case has been treated as part of the finished furniture.
Six drawers for everyday storage
The finished piece provides six drawers in a balanced two-by-three arrangement. That layout suits clothing, linen, office items or other household storage, depending on where the chest is used.
Because the design is custom-made, the overall size, drawer arrangement, timber choice and pull detail can be considered together. That is the advantage of commissioning a chest rather than choosing a standard unit and adapting the room around it.
The final front has a restrained appearance: pale Oak, continuous grain movement, slim reveals and recessed horizontal pulls. It is practical storage, but the construction and material details give it the presence of a proper piece of bespoke timber furniture.
You can view the complete image sequence in the Oak Chest of Drawers project gallery.
Planning a custom chest of drawers in Auckland?
When planning custom storage furniture, useful starting information includes the wall or floor area available, the items to be stored, preferred drawer arrangement and the timber or finish you want to see every day. Photos of the room and approximate measurements help establish the right proportions.
To discuss a custom Oak chest of drawers or another made-to-measure storage piece, send an enquiry to INWOOD Furniture. Include the approximate dimensions, intended use and any reference images that show the style you prefer.