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17 Beautiful DIY Nightstand Plans You Can Build Today (with Pictures)

Night Stand Plans

Night Stand Plans

If you have shopped for nightstands, you may know they are expensive. A small piece of furniture should not cost nearly as much as it does. When you think about putting one next to both sides of the bed, your head may start spinning.

If you want to save hundreds of dollars and you can use woodworking tools, you should have no trouble building nightstands to fit your needs. We found 18 free nightstand plans you can start working on today. There are varying skill levels involved; you should be able to find a project that works for you on this list.

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The 17 Beautiful DIY Nightstand Plans

1. Cassidy Mini Nightstand by The Design Confidential

diy cassidy mini night stand
Image Credit: The Design Confidential

Do you have a low-profile bed? Do traditional nightstands always seem to be too high? With the Cassidy Mini Nightstand, you should have no trouble resting your drink or book on this small table without reaching high above your head.

It is a very clean and simple-looking nightstand that you can stain or paint to match your décor. Since it is a smaller option, you will spend a lot less.

Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate

Tools: Sander, Saw, Drill Router

Supplies: Wood, Glue, Nails, Clamps, Finishing Supplies


2. Nightstand With Tapered Leg And Drawer by More Like Home

diy nightstand with tapered legs and drawer
Image Credit: More Like Home

The Nightstand With Tapered Leg and Drawer is an excellent option if you would like your nightstand to have a bit of storage. We love the boards on the top of this nightstand that give it extra detail and style. Although building a drawer is generally a more complicated project, it is laid out very clearly and directly in this plan.

Skill Level: Intermediate

Tools: Saw, Drill, Clamp

Supplies: Wood, Glue, Screws, Nails


3. Modern Night Stand Plan by Designs at Studio C

diy hite bedside table
Image Credit: Designs By Studio C

The Modern Night Stand by Designs at Studio C is an excellent option if you are looking for a clean, sleek, modern feel to add to your décor. It is an inexpensive design that provides excellent storage via the two drawers.

You can paint this nightstand whatever color you need to blend in with your home furnishings. This project is best for an intermediate-level builder since getting the drawers to work correctly can be tricky.

Skill Level: Intermediate

Tools: Saw, Clamp, Drill, Hammer

Supplies: Wood, Draw Slides, Glue, Nails, Screws


4. Rogue Engineers Free Mid Century Modern Night Stand

diy mid century modern side table
Image Credit: Rogue Engineer

The Rogue Engineer comes up with some great designs that look like they could be sold for high prices at retail stores. If you are going for the “wow” effect with your new nightstand, this is the plan you will want to check out.

The Mid Century Modern Night Stand combines clean lines and a few paints and stains to create a complete and professional look. We love the open-shelf concept on this plan to give it just a bit more detail.

Skill Level: Intermediate

Tools: Saw, Drill, Tape Measure, Brad Nailer

Supplies: Nails, Drawer Pulls, Wood, Legs, Drawer Pull


5. Simple and Modern Nightstand from More Like Home

diy simple and modern night stand
Image Credit: More Like Home

Sticking with the more modern and sleek designed nightstands, we have the Simple and Modern Nighstand from More Like Home. If you are a new builder, you will like the steps in putting this nightstand together. You can modify the plan to the height and size you need, and you can change the legs to match your current décor.

Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate

Tools: Hammer, Drill, Saw, Sander

Supplies: Wood, Nails, Wood, Sandpaper, Glue


6. Owens Nightstand by Ana White

diy owens night stand
Image Credit: Ana White

Next on our list is the recreation of the Pottery Barn’s Owens Nightstand put together by Ana White. Even if you are new to the furniture-building game, it is no secret that Pottery Barn furniture can get expensive.

Creating this piece of furniture alone could save you hundreds of dollars. It is a bit more of an involved project than others, but the directions and pictures are clear and easy to follow.

Skill Level: Expert

Tools: Saw, Drill, Tape Measure, Kreg Jig

Supplies: Wood, Drawer Slides, Nails


7. DIY Nightstand from Shanty 2 Chic

diy sliding barn door night stand
Image Credit: Shanty 2 Chic

If you love the barn door look that is so popular in decorating today, you will love this Sliding Barn Door Nightstand by Shanty 2 Chic. This nightstand costs a bit more than other options because of the hardware required for the sliding barn door.

In our opinion, it is worth it! The nightstand pictured has baskets for additional shelving. We love the choice of stain on this, but you can easily do this painted as well, and it will look beautiful.

Skill Level: Intermediate to Expert

Tools: Saw, Drill, Screwdriver, Clamp

Supplies: Wood, Hardware for Barn Door, Baskets, Stain


8. Nightstand by Jen Woodhouse

diy night stand
Image Credit: Jen Woodhouse

This Nightstand from Jen Woodhouse is a beautiful traditional-looking piece that can be customized to fit your décor. The basic design of this nightstand is not complicated if you have some experience in woodworking.

Skill Level: Intermediate to Expert

Tools: Saw, Drill, Hammer, Sander

Materials: Wood, Drawer Pulls, Drawer Slide, Sandpaper, Finishing Supplies


9. Tapered Leg Bachelor’s Chest from Pneumatic Addict

diy tapered leg bachelors chest
Image Credit: Pneumatic Addict

The Tapered Leg Bachelors Chest from Pneumatic Addict has a very cool-looking, masculine design. We love the combination of dark-stained wood with the white front drawers.

It is not an extremely difficult design, and the plan to assemble it is well done. If you want some matching pieces for your bedroom, take a look at the other free plans offered on this website.

Skill Level: Intermediate

Tools: Drill, Saw, Sander, Tape Measure, Square

Supplies: Drawer Pulls, Drawer Slides, Wood, Nails, Screws


10. Simpson Strong Tie Nightstand By The Rogue Engineer

diy simpson strong tie night stand
Image Credit: Rogue Engineer

If you look closely at this Simpson Strong Tie Nightstand by the Rogue Engineer, you will see how much detail was put into this design. As long as you are good at following directions and pictures, you will have no problem putting this nightstand together.

The cost will be a bit higher than other models because of the brackets and detail pieces, but building it on your own is still much more cost-effective than buying it.

Skill Level: Intermediate to Expert

Tools: Sander, Saw, Drill, Tape Measure

Supplies: Wood, Screws, Brackets, Nails, Glue, Drawer Slides, Draw Pull


11. Night Stand With Locking Secret Hidden Drawer from Instructables Living

diy night stand with locking secret hidden
Image Credit: Instructables

The Night Stand With Locking Secret Hidden Drawer is a traditional-looking piece from Instructables Living. The hidden drawer makes this project more complicated than others, but it is a cool feature to add to a nightstand.

The plan also includes a video to help get you through the process. Although there are no open spaces to display anything on this nightstand, you get excellent storage space with the large drawers.

Skill Level: Expert

Tools: Saw, Drill, Sander, Router

Supplies: Wood, Drills, Screws, Drawer Pulls, Drawer Slides, Sandpaper, Stain


12. Planked Wood Bedside Table with Shelves by Ana White

diy planked wood bedside table with shelves
Image Credit: Ana White

While our last selection was quite a challenging design, these farmhouse-style Bedside Tables by Ana White are much more simplistic. We love the combination of light and dark to make these pieces stand out.

The height on these particular bedside tables is slightly higher; if you have a raised bed, you may enjoy this feature. Although no drawers are on this nightstand, you still have ample storage with the two shelves and an oversized top.

Skill Level: Intermediate

Tools: Hammer, Drill, Saw, Sander

Supplies: Wood, Sandpaper, Nails, Screws, Paint, Stain


13. Farmhouse Nightstand by Handmade Haven

diy farmhouse night stand
Image Credit: Handmade Haven

Showing off that farmhouse style décor is this Farmhouse Nighstand by Handmade Haven. It is a very open and airy piece of furniture that will bring a light look and feel to any bedroom. We are sure you can find a favorite basket to place on the bottom shelf to complete this look. If you love this nightstand, there are plans for a matching desk on the website.

Skill Level: Intermediate

Tools: Saw, Drill, Sander, Square, Tape Measure

Supplies: Screws, Nails, Glue, Paint, Stain, Sandpaper


14. Floating Nightstands by More Like Home

diy floating night stand
Image Credit: More Like Home

If you’re worried about the complexity of some of these nightstand builds, these Floating Nightstand Boxes are a great option to consider. Since these units will attach directly to your wall, we don’t recommend storing your brick collection inside. However, this floating box is a great choice for traditional bedside objects, a few books, glasses, etc..

Skill Level: Beginner

Tools: Saw, Drill, Square, Tape Measure

Supplies: Sand Paper, Wood, Screws, Glue, Paint or Stain


15. Emerson Nightstand by Ana White

diy emersen night stand
Image Credit: Ana White

The Emerson Night Stand by Ana White is a unique piece that can bring a bit of character to any bedroom. We love the combination of drawers and shelves on this model. The shelf is at the perfect height for keeping your favorite book. Many nightstands have the shelf and drawers in the opposite order of this nightstand, and we like that it is a more functional design.

Skill Level: Intermediate

Tools: Saw, Drill, Hammer, Sander

Supplies: Wood, Screws, Nails, Glue


16. Night Stand With Built In Charging by More Like Home

diy night stand with built in charging
Image Credit: More Like Home

Don’t want to see cords sitting on the top of your nightstand? This Built-In Charging is an excellent option for you.  Simply run your charger cord through the small notch in this drawer and enjoy the clean, wireless look it provides. It is a straightforward plan to put together and can be customized to the specifications that you need for your bedroom set.

Skill Level: Beginner

Tools: Saw, Sander, Drill, Tape Measure, Level

Supplies: Wood, Glue, Screws, Nails


17. Cooper Nightstand by Rogue Engineer

diy cooper night stand
Image Credit: Rogue Engineer

The Cooper Design Night Stand by the Rogue Engineer is a classic, functional nightstand design. This particular model offers plenty of storage underneath and makes an excellent option for a kid’s room as well. The Cooper Design Night Stand is an intermediate-level project if you have a few power tools laying around. This solid piece will be with you for years to come.

Skill Level: Intermediate

Tools: Saw, Drill, Sander, Tape Measure

Supplies: Wood, Paint or Stain, Drawer Handle, Drawer Slides, Sandpaper, Glue


Conclusion

We hope this list of nightstands inspired you to build your own. The process shouldn’t take you more than a day and may be even quicker if you have excellent woodworking skills. As any DIYer will tell you, there is something amazingly satisfying about creating custom-designed furniture for your home.


Featured image credit: ErikaWittlieb, Pixabay

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