DIY Nightstand

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Here is my version of a couple of different nightstands I saw for sale on the internet from high priced stores.  I needed a home for my laptop, books (that usually just piled on the edge of my old nightstand) and a drawer for the little things that just kind of clutter up a table.

Originally, I designed the sketch up plans with doors over the bottom opening.  But once I had it together I changed my mind.  I also changed the middle shelf to one that just sits on clets.  I did add a large piece of plywood at the top to stablize the structure since it no longer had the middle support.  If I have time, I'll redesign the original plan so it can be done either way.

I used some of my left over stair tread ends for the table top, screwed together.

Filled the seams with wood filler.

Sanded extra smooth.

Stained with Special Walnut color.

Cut list for the plan below:

2 - 27 1/4" x 16" birch paint grade plywood for the walls (I had the store cut an 8x4 sheet into 3 equal 8'x16" pieces to make other projects and make it easier to transport)

2 - 24" x 16" birch paint grade plywood for the bottom and the middle shelves

2 - 24"  1"x2" for the top bracing pieces

1 - 25 1/2"  1"x2" base board piece

2 - 25 3/4" 1"x2" wall edge framing

2 - 22 1/2" 1"x2" Front edge framing

2 - 27 1/2"  1"x10" (or you can add reclaimed wood or make your own top)

2 - 21 1/2"   1" x 6" (front and back of drawer)

2 - 14"  1"x6" (sides of drawer)

1 - 22 1/2"   1"x8" (drawer face)

25 1/2" x 27 1/4" backing (optional - I left mine off to be able to run my laptop cord, etc.)

4 - 12  3/16"   1"x2"  Door sides

4 - 11  5/16"  1"x2" Door tops and bottoms

Optional - Attach the door frames to beadboard cut to fit frame or add plexiglass to the back of the frame or a chicken wire mesh or fabric

2 - 16"  1"x8" - Secure to the walls to bring them out to secure to the drawer glides

4 - Flush piano hinges for these light frames to make them as flush inside the opening as possible

2 - knobs for doors

1 - Drawer handle

2 - 12" drawer sliders

Finish Nails, screws, wood glue, sand paper, paint, stain, saw, safety equipment

Construct the frame by nailing or screwing the walls to the shelves.  Keep the bottom shelf up 1.5" from the bottom and the middle 11.5" from the bottom.  Secure the top 1"x2" bracing pieces.

Add the base board piece to the unit

Add the two front edge framing pieces

Add the top edge piece

Add the backing

Add the front edging and construct the doors.  Attach with the hinges.

Add the top.

Construct and add the drawer.

When I added the middle shelf to the top of mine, I added these clets for a removable shelf incase I wanted to add a larger basket down the road.

I stained the top and used white chalk paint and clear wax.

Linking up with:
The Gunny Sack
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Home Stories A to Z
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Thrifty Decor Chick