Homeowners might need to remove dresser drawers for some reason. For instance, you might have to clean your old antique oak dresser and reach those tricky corners. Another possible reason is your dresser might show telltale wear-and-tear signs, which means a quick drawer fix or replacement.

Or maybe you’re moving to a new house, which will require dismantling furniture parts for easier transport. Imagine lugging around a large 10 drawer dresser or an oversized dresser to your new bedroom. Whatever your reason for removing drawers from dressers is, don’t panic. It’s an easy DIY job, provided you follow these instructions on how to remove drawers from dresser furnishings.

This guide will tell you how to remove drawers from dressers using the most common dresser drawer types.

How to Remove Dresser Drawers with Bottom Slides

Removing Drawer with Bottom Slide - Local Furniture OutletRemoving Drawer with Bottom Slide - Local Furniture Outlet
Removing Drawer with Bottom Slide

The secret to removing dresser drawers, whether you have a white 8 drawer dresser or a black 9 drawer dresser, is knowing what slide type is installed.

One of the most common drawer slide types, including in small dressers, is the bottom slide or under-mount drawer slide.

These slides are installed with an L-shaped bracket along with a sliding track and are constructed in wider drawers, like this truffle dresser from Aspen Home Furniture.

Your light wood drawer will also have an underside clip attached to the slide track. The upper hand of having a dresser with this slide mechanism is a concealed slide track.

Its sleeker look is ideal for small bedrooms or those who enjoy a minimalist aesthetic, like with affordable white and wood dressers. On the flip side, dressers with this drawer slide type are relatively more expensive than others.

Here’s how to remove dresser drawers with bottom slides:

  • Pull the dresser drawer as far as you can. Make sure it doesn’t come out entirely.
  • Check if there are locking mechanisms installed before removing the dresser drawers. These mechanisms could be buttons or levers. Press the button or lever before removing the drawer if you see one. You should hear a click once the drawer snaps from the slides.
  • Firmly grab the drawer box. Wiggle it and lift it until you hear a click indicating the drawer is disengaged from the bottom slides.

How to Remove Dresser Drawer with Center Slide

Center-mounted dresser drawer slides are the second-most common drawer slide type, often found in various styles like the silver dresser and rustic dresser, like this Avalon Furniture dresser from its Sophia Collection. 

These slides are valued for their aesthetic discretion, being concealed from view, which complements the sleek look of a white gloss dresser or the elegant finish of a marble top dresser. 

Dresser drawers with center slides aren’t appropriate for carrying heavier items. This is because the central slide mechanism is designed primarily for balance rather than brute strength. 

Typically, these slides are installed in the middle of the dresser drawer, employing two rollers on each side to ensure smooth operation. This design is instrumental in keeping the drawer box perfectly aligned.

Removing Drawer with Center Slide - Local Furniture OutletRemoving Drawer with Center Slide - Local Furniture Outlet
Removing Drawer with Center Slide

How to remove dresser drawer with center slide

  • Check if the drawer has a locking mechanism, such as a button or lever. If it does, press the button or lever until you hear a click, which means the drawer is disengaged. Locking mechanisms might be more uncommon for center slides than bottom slides.
  • Next is to check if the drawer has a pull-out guard. This is a piece of a plastic flap that looks like a semi-circle attached and connected at the back of the drawer. The purpose of pull-out guards is to prevent dresser drawers from sliding all the way out.
  • Exert effort lifting the drawer to disengage it from the slide’s track. Wiggle the drawer a bit to get it unstuck. 

Pro Tip: Some bottom or center drawer slides might not disengage from the track, no matter how hard you wiggle and lift. This might mean there is debris blocking the tracks. If this happens, get a putty knife and run it along the tracks.

Learning to Get Drawers from Your Dresser

Knowing how to remove drawers from dressers is crucial, especially if you regularly clean or move homes. The first thing to know is the type of dresser you have. Most importantly, buying a reliable dresser with sturdy drawer construction is recommended to prevent buying replacements every few years.

Looking for the best piece for your bedroom? Local Furniture Outlet offers all kinds of wood dressers for sale. Whether you want a wood dresser or something modern and simple, we have every design in our dresser collection. Shop now and get free shipping for all orders.