How to Make a Wood Nightstand

Nightstands are easily customized for the height of your bed and style of your room so they make a great hands-on project for someone who is new to woodworking. A traditional nightstand design might not be the best option for you if you move frequently, redesign often or have a low bed. Instead, combine several small wood cubes to make a modular nightstand. This way you can create a nightstand that is the perfect height and width for your ever-changing evening escapades. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Cut the 1-by-12-inch board into four pieces 11 1/4 inches long. Discard any excess wood.

2

Cut a sheet of plywood 1 foot long and wide. Use a steel carpenters square to help make sharp 90-degree corners.

3

Drill a 1-inch hole into the center of each board.

4

Sand the boards and the cut edges of the plywood with sandpaper or a sanding block. Wipe down the boards and sheet with a tack cloth.

5

Lay the plywood sheet on your work table. Spread a 3/4-inch-wide band of glue around the edge of the face grain.

6

Hold one of the boards vertically so that the 3/4-inch side faces your work surface. Line up the left corner of the board with the upper left corner of the plywood.

7

Place the board down into the glue so that it is aligned with the top edge of the plywood sheet. There will be a 3/4-inch-wide gap at the right end of the plywood sheet.

8

Place a second board on the right side of the plywood sheet lining the board up with the upper right corner of the plywood. The two boards will meet to form an "L" and there will be a gap at the lower right corner of the plywood sheet.

9

Align a third board with the lower right corner and the bottom edge of the plywood. Complete the frame by placing the last board on the left side of the plywood sheet.

10

Slide the nightstand frame to the edge of the table. Secure four clamps, one at each corner to hold the vertical boards into place. Use additional clamps if necessary. Wipe off any excess glue with a damp cloth.

11

Allow the glue to set overnight.

12

Flip the box over. Remove the clamps.

13

Fasten the rectangle together with 2- or 3-inch nails. Drive the nails into the perimeter of the plywood base 3/8 inch from the edge. Place one nail every 2 inches.

14

Fill all nail holes with wood putty. Dry the piece overnight.

15

Sand the nightstand. Wipe the piece down with a tack cloth.

16

Apply one coat of varnish by brushing it on perpendicular to the grain. Allow the varnish to dry overnight. Apply a second coat of varnish once the first coat is completely dry. Varnish both decorates and protects the nightstand.

17

Paint designs on the cube with acrylic paint. Dry the nightstand overnight. Seal the paint with a third coat of varnish.

18

Cure varnish for three days before using the nightstand.

19

Repeat all previous steps to make a second cube.

20

Stack one cube on the other and use a large bolt and nut to fasten the units together. Slide a washer onto the bolt, place the bolt in the hole in the center of the boards so that it bases through both units. Put a nut on the end of the bold and screw it securely; you can fit a second washer onto the bolt before putting on the nut to protect the wood.