Frameless Nightstands — a Matching Pair from One Sheet of Plywood

Build the basic box for each nightstand out of the ripped plywood. If staining, edge-band the front edges before assembly. The shelf can be fixed now, or made floating with shelf pins and installed after the drawer.

Add the 1x2 bottom shelf support — it ties the bottom together, keeps the piece square, and gives you something solid to attach the base moulding to.

Attach the plywood backs with glue and finish nails.

Miter the corners of the base moulding and wrap it around the bottom with finish nails and glue.

Build each drawer box with 1-1/4" brad nails and glue, and attach the 1/4" plywood bottom with 3/4" brad nails and glue — use the bottom panel to help square up the box.

Install each drawer inside its cabinet no more than 7" from the top — this is what lets the drawer face fully hide the drawer box — inset 3/4" from the outside of the nightstand, using the drawer slides.

Attach a knob or handle to each drawer face first, then attach the face to the front of its drawer with a couple of finish nails from the outside. Remove the drawer and add a few 1-1/4" screws from inside for real holding power.

Trim the bottom edge of each drawer opening with the remaining 1x2, attached with pocket holes or 1-1/4" finish nails. Add the cove moulding to the top edges of both nightstands. Sand and finish.