Friday, March 7, 2014

Upcycled Mid Century Modern Style Night Stands: Mod-Style Furniture DIY Idea


I've always wanted matching nightstands, but have never found them while thrifting. Buying them new is usually a minimum of $40.00 per stand so my mom and I decided to try making some of our own using wood from a homemade bookshelf I no longer wanted. (You can see the bookshelf "before"
in my old apartment.)

We used an electric and hand saw, hammer and nails, wood screws and electric drill, sand paper, and tape measure to make these.

The "box" is made of four pieces of 15" x 7 1/4" and four pieces of 21" x 7.5". The backings are 21.5" x 15 1/2". You'll need 8 angled top plates to give your stand's legs that slightly angeled atomic look, otherwise go for normal straight top plates. I used these 6-inch mod style legs- you'll get a better deal than I did if you order from that links, comes with 8 for two night stands. You can save on this project if you can upcycle the sides and backings like I did, I only paid for the legs and top plates.


Directions: 1) After your wood is cut and sanded, drill pilot holes on the left and ride sides of the longer pieces and at the tops (they will stand vertical) of the shorter pieces. Mark carefully to be sure they line-up. 2) Screw your box together, then  3) nail the backing to that back of the piece. 4) Screw your angled top plates to the bottom of the "box", one on each corner. 5) Twist your legs tightly into the top plates. 


This is an easy project for beginners and very versatile, to boot. You can stain it, paint it, paint the back-drop, add fabric, sky's the limit. I like how it's almost a mod piece deconstructed, furniture at it's simplest form. They're great for storing magazines, records, and and other collections. I use mine to store bedside reading, books and magazines on my priority-list to read.


Next time I need to make a bed (I sleep on a mattress on the floor after my old bed broke) and a headboard! I'm on a making kick, upcycled furniture construction is awesomely addictive!
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44 comments:

  1. Dang, those are really cute...cute not being the best word because they're not cute as in a puppy kind of cute. Ok they're cool! I love how they work with the mattress on the floor. Perfect size so keep the frame you make low too!

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    1. Yeah, these were custom-made to work with my low mattress on the floor situation, won't be making any kind of bed for a long while. If I do, it will also be low to the ground. :D

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  2. Oh wow, they look fantastic and knowing that you and your Mum made them, makes them even better. Well done you two!

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    1. Thanks! We want to keep making stuff from here, possibly piece to sell locally, too.

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  3. Great job! They look super. A new bed is on my wish list too!

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    1. Thanks! A bed at all is on mine, haha. I want to make something super light/easy to take apart and move if necessary.

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    2. My mattress set is 21 years old! At your age that must sound unreal! And the metal frame works but is broken. Maybe one of these days... And you're right, "light" furniture is always the way to go as far as I'm concerned.

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    3. Especially if you move somewhere with, say, 46 stairs and refuse to hire movers!

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  4. Cute! Do you have any ideas for an easy headboard for a king size bed? I need inspiration! Linda@Wetcreek Blog

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    1. I've seen one-three plain wood palates stacked against the wall often as headboards for a rustic look, decals, fabric cut and pasted to the walls, painted ones, lots of fun ideas. When I was still in college a student made a piece she said would double as a her new headboard that was wood with a painted backdrop, she had nails sticking out of it for an edgy look that juxtaposed nicely. I'm thinking of doing something with plain upcycled wood nailed behind the bed, something simple. I'll be posting a headboard DIY as soon as mine is finished :D

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  5. I really wish I was handier...or had a boyfriend who was....because I need this in my life. I am currently on the lookout for something similar to hold my records. Currently, they are housed in a plastic milk crate, which is just not as pretty. The legs are my favorite part of this one. SO perfect.

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    1. The legs really make this one. It's not intimidating for a beginner either, basically a box with legs screwed on. My mom and I are minimally handy and pulled it off pretty easily.

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    2. Just to be a nosey reader-- I have records in a vintage wooden fruit crate. Size is perfect and it looks better than plastic if you can find one.

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    3. I've tried that before, it's awesome.

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  6. They are so cool and you still have a bunch of wood for more coming projects. Are you planning on painting your rom walls? Its the only thing I dont like in the whole picture, I think white walls would show how beautiful is your room decoration ;) just a thought

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    1. I hate off-white walls myself, but this is a rental with obscenely tall walls and very textured walls, painting would be a nightmare. I've thought of doing accent walls for some rooms, though.

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  7. Well done, they look great! I love that they hold so many books! Plus you can paint them/stain them if you ever want the room to look different.

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    1. Yep! I think I'll stain them next :D Possibly add a shelf to the inside someday?

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  8. You guys did a great job. Those are beautiful!

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  9. Thanks! I'll be staining them next and hopefully making more stuff.

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