Chests for Blankets and Storage

This article is a survey of chest construction and decoration techniques in the hope of inspiring woodworkers to build more medieval chests.

A very detailed drawing of a traditional blanket chest. DXF Format.

A blanket chest with dovetailed sides. DXF Format.

I used to struggle with mortise and tenon joinery. I tried every new system that came along, but they all seemed way too complicated. One day a friend of a friend walked into my shop, said Throw away those fancy jigs! and showed me an elegant way to make these classic joints. This blanket chest is the ideal project to showcase this technique.

Hope Chests have been one of the premiere woodworking gifts for hundreds of years. They were given to young women to use to store all then things they collected in preparation for marriage.

The casual bead board chest in the drawing has the same basic structure as its more formal cousin. But a few simple changes give it a very different appearance. The cutting diagrams and materials list are available to download in this Online Extra.

What immediately draws your attention to this paneled blanket chest is all of the detail the sculptural bracket feet, the layered molding at the base, the chamfered corners, the balance of the molded panels and the drawers, and the bullnose lid with its narrow shadow line. All these elements combine to give this piece a really impressive, graceful look. The cutting diagrams and materials list are available to download in this Online Extra.

By using dovetails for the sides you can make this a very strong piece that will last many life times. Start a tradition which once ran in all our families.

Each piece is a seperate component that can be manipulated and measure individually. This Hope Chest was based on the plans provided by American Woodworker.

A solid cherry chest for linens and blankets will challenge anyones hand joinery techniques. Chests have become popular also as coffee tables, clothes hampers and seating benches.

This is a link to a Google 3D SketchUp drawing for a storage chest. You will need the SketchUp software to download this drawing and its freely available online. We do not provide support for this software. Not all drawings have the measurements displayed but you can use the measurement tool in SketchUp to easily and accurately determine the dimensions of each lumber part. Most drawings do not have instructions, its assumed you can build it based on the completed drawing provided.

Build this beautiful cedar chest using these free plans which include materials list as well as step-by-step instructions.

Material and hardware list only.

If you prefer the look of bun feet, you will need to add trim around the bottom panel to hide the plywood edges. You can mail-order the feet, or turn them yourself. The patterns are available to download in this Online Extra.

Australian Woodsmith is a practical magazine for all woodworkers. From Issue 43. As you can see in the photo, the elegant shelf added to the top of the chest looks right at home. The secret is that all of the design elements used on the shelf mirror those on the chest below. The result is a shelf that is a perfect complement.

If you decide not to tackle the bracket feet, the ogee base makes a nice alternative. Also, we have put together some helpful tips for cutting the chest hinge mortises. This alternate design option is available to download in this Online Extra.

This beautiful maple and birds-eye maple veneer chest might seem a little intimidating, but as with all projects a step-by-step approach makes the job easy. You will find that the joinery and the assembly are really pretty straightforward. The cutting diagrams and materials list are available to download in this Online Extra.

This is a link to a Google 3D SketchUp drawing for a wooden storage chest. You will need the SketchUp software to download this drawing and its freely available online. We do not provide support for this software. Not all drawings have the measurements displayed but you can use the measurement tool in SketchUp to easily and accurately determine the dimensions of each lumber part. Most drawings do not have instructions, its assumed you can build it based on the completed drawing provided.

At this link you will find American Woodshop with Scott Philips. In the video # 1407, he walks you through the building process of a country storage chest made from reclaimed wood and rustic hinges. Just click on then click on Season 14 and look for Episode 1407.

Build this paneled trunk or chest using these free woodworking plans. Makes a great place for extra storage.

Build this stylish yet functional storage chest for your home. Free step-by-step plans are available at the link.

Build this modern farmhouse style trunk, perfect for extra storage space. Free downloadable plans at the link.

This storage chest is a very simple design and can easily be built in a weekend using these free plans.

Several years ago, Masters Robyyan Torr d Elandris and Terafan Greydragon developed plans for a knock-down panel chest. Why would someone want a box that breaks apart? you might ask.

This wood storage chest is made of solid oak, is easy to make, and is a convenient way to store houseware items where space is limited. Its portability allows it to be moved from room to room with ease when needed. The design and beauty of the chest will compliment other furniture items wherever it is placed.

This is the materials list and cutting diagrams for the hobby chest as it appears in Australian Woodsmith Magazine Issue 55.

This is a free downloadable plan for a Shaker Blanket Chest.

This is a link to a Google 3D SketchUp drawing for a Shaker Blanket Chest with one drawer and turned legs. You will need the SketchUp software to download this drawing and its freely available online. We do not provide support for this software. Not all drawings have the measurements displayed but you can use the measurement tool in SketchUp to easily and accurately determine the dimensions of each lumber part. Most drawings do not have instructions, its assumed you can build it based on the completed drawing provided.

This is a link to a Google 3D SketchUp drawing for a Stickley Bridal Chest. You will need the SketchUp software to download this drawing and its freely available online. We do not provide support for this software. Not all drawings have the measurements displayed but you can use the measurement tool in SketchUp to easily and accurately determine the dimensions of each lumber part. Most drawings do not have instructions, its assumed you can build it based on the completed drawing provided.

At this link you will find American Woodshop with Scott Philips as he walks you through the process of building a beautiful Shaker hope chest. Visit their web site, then click on Season 17 and look for Episode 1702 to watch the video