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!
