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Furniture

Easy-To-Build Nightstand

Step-by-step build — 10 steps. Also available as a print sheet.

  1. 1Create the Legs

    Cut four Legs to length from a 1x4 board, as shown in the cutting diagram.

  2. 2Cut the Rails

    • Now you can cut four Rails from a 1x4 board, as shown in the cutting diagram. To do that, you’ll need to set your miter saw to a 45° bevel angle. If your saw doesn’t have bevel-cutting capability, you can instead stand the board on ages and rotate the blade for 45° miter cuts instead.
    • Then, with your pocket-hole jig set up for 3/4" material, drill pocket holes in the back face of the Top Rail, as shown.
    Easy-To-Build Nightstand — step photo 5

  3. 3Drill Pocket Holes in the Rails

    • With the Rails cut, it’s time to drill pocket holes. Because of the mitered ends, this takes a couple of setups.
    • Start with your pocket-hole jig and the drill bit set up for 3/4" material, and drill the pocket holes along the edge of each rail, as shown. For the ends, keep your jig at the 3/4" setting, but change the drill bit to the 1/2" setting.
    • Then drill pocket holes as shown.
    Easy-To-Build Nightstand — step photo 6

  4. 4Attach the Rails to the Legs

    After sanding the Rails and Legs, you can connect them. To do that, join two Rails to one Leg, as shown, using 1 1/4" fine-thread pocket-hole screws. Then make another assembly just like it.

    Easy-To-Build Nightstand — step photo 7

  5. 5Add the Other Legs

    Now you can connect the other two Legs using 1 1/4" fine-thread pocket-hole screws.

    Easy-To-Build Nightstand — step photo 8

  6. 6Create a Shelf

    • Cut a Shelf to size from 3/4" plywood, as shown in the cutting diagram.
    • Then clip off the corners, as shown.
    • Once you’ve done that, drill a pair of pocket holes at each corner with your pocket-hole jig set up for 3/4" material. Cover edges of the plywood that will be exposed with iron-on edge banding. (Or, if you intend to paint, fill the edges with spackling compound, and then sand it smooth.)
    Easy-To-Build Nightstand — step photo 9

  7. 7Install the Shelf

    With the Shelf done, you can attach it to the Legs using 1 1/4" fine-thread pocket-hole screws.

    Easy-To-Build Nightstand — step photo 10

  8. 8Make the Top Slats

    Cut four Top Slats to length from a 1x6 board, as shown in the cutting diagram. Then, with your pocket-hole jig set up for 3/4" material, drill pocket holes in the Top Slats as shown.

    Easy-To-Build Nightstand — step photo 11

  9. 9Assemble the Top

    After sanding the top slats, connect them using 1 1/4" fine-thread pocket-hole screws.

    Easy-To-Build Nightstand — step photo 12

  10. 10Mount the Top and Finish

    • To complete your nightstand, mount the Top to the base.
    • Lay the Top face down and position the base on the Slats so that there are equal overhangs on all sides.
    • Then attach the Top to the Rails using 1 1/4" fine-thread pocket-hole screws.
    • Then coat the nightstand with the finish, stain, or paint of your choice.
    Easy-To-Build Nightstand — step photo 13