Transform Your Space with these DIY Nightstands
So this is where we’re at in life. I am excited about nightstands and the project we just finished and you’re reading about it. ha! Let me backup a bit and tell you why we I decided that Carl should build me a set of nightstands. Sometime in October I drug Carl around nightstand shopping, <how many times am I going to type nightstands?>…anyways. The _________ we found were either $800 a piece or junk particle board that you had to fully assemble yourself. I figured, if we are already assembling then why not just make them.
I found this cool chick on YouTube whose channel is dedicated to tutorial videos on plywood furniture, among other things. Go check her out. Right now, she has fun Christmas gift ideas that are quick & easy. Shara Woodshop Diaries - YouTube. I have big plans to make several other furniture items from her channel. And for the record, we slightly modified her build to fit our needs.
BEFORE PICTURE (May 2023…I think this was our first night in the new place)
You can see the window trim isn’t finished and the old nightstands blend in with the wall. I painted them black which is about the 14th color they’ve been in 20 years…and here we are.
LOWE’S PURCHASE LIST:
4’ x 8’ x 3/4” Sanded Birch Plywood - $59
4’ x 8 x 1/2” Sanded Birch Plywood - $41
Birch Plywood Edge Banding - $18
Glue & Screws - $? (Carl had on hand, so FREE right?)
Clear poly-finish - $? (also had on hand, so FREE?)
AMAZON PURCHASE LIST:
Ravinte 3 pack, 10” Black Handles - $14
Handles are expensive…like stupid expensive. I purchased this same brand for all of the cabinets in our house, they are very affordable & durable. I also had a King & Charles cabinet hardware jig leftover from our house project. It came in handy again when installing the drawer handles.
(2 sets) - 15” Bottom Mount Soft Close Drawer Slides - $52 total
(2 sets) - 12” Trapezoid Metal Table Legs - $60 total
TOTAL: $244 for both nightstands combined…vs the $250 minimum/ per for the ones I found and barely liked.
STEP BY STEP: (Mostly time-lapse videos & a few pictures)
Sketch a plan…do the math, present to husband. ha!
Go to Lowes/Home Depot/Menards - have them cut your pieces down to size. I had all of my cuts marked for the 3/4” sheet…and failed to account for the blade with. ROOKIE mistake. Thankful for Carl for saving the day. We had the Lowe’s boy rip 3 strips into 15 3/4”, with barely any waste.
<Insert reason to buy a new miter saw; Carl needed to be able to cross cut 15 3/4”, conveniently the new saw which he actually needed anyways cuts 16”.>
Cut sides, top and bottom for both boxes. I really liked having some variation in the top, but kept the sides plain.
Drill pocket holes until you're sick of it, and then do it some more. Kreg jig is a must for this.
Edge band until you’re sick of it…then do it some more also.
Sand until you’re sick of it…Ok you get the idea.
Assemble boxes, attach shelf, & assemble drawer boxes with glue and screws. Ratchet strap to hold boxes together while the glue is drying. This was really just for extra strength in the boxes.
Install drawer mounts. < I think next time we will go with side drawer mounts, we had to slightly modify our plan because of these bottom mounts >
BEFORE (May ‘23) AFTER (Oct ‘24)
Takeaways:
Do not skip sanding. Sand between each step. Cut, sand…Assemble, sand. Edge band, sand. Apply finish, sand. Apply second coat, sand.
For <$250 I have exactly what I want. They are functional and look lovely…so make this your own and have fun with it.
Also, I highly recommend marrying someone who can make all your dreams come true. He really can do anything.
If you make your own set, please send me pictures…I want to see what you come up with!
