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Two frameless plywood nightstands cut from a single sheet — no face frame at all, base and cove moulding doing the trim work instead, with a drawer per nightstand.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L | Material | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tops | 2 | 3/4" × 15 3/4" × 30" | 3/4" plywood, full sheet (ripped into 15-3/4" strips) | ☐ |
| Sides | 4 | 3/4" × 15 3/4" × 29 1/4" | 3/4" plywood, full sheet (ripped into 15-3/4" strips) | ☐ |
| Shelves | 4 | 3/4" × 15 3/4" × 28 1/2" | 3/4" plywood, full sheet (ripped into 15-3/4" strips) | ☐ |
| Bottom shelf supports | 4 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 28 1/2" | 1x2, 6 ft | ☐ |
| Backs | 2 | 1/4" × 30" × 30" | 1/4" plywood or hardboard, full sheet | ☐ |
| Drawer box sides | 4 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 14" | 1x4, 8 ft | ☐ |
| Drawer box front/back | 4 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 26" | 1x4, 8 ft | ☐ |
| Drawer bottoms | 2 | 1/4" × 27 1/2" × 14" | 1/4" plywood or hardboard, full sheet | ☐ |
| Drawer faces | 2 | 3/4" × 7 1/4" × 28 3/8" | 1x8, 5 ft | ☐ |
| Item | Qty | ✓ |
|---|---|---|
| 3/4" plywood, full sheet (ripped into 15-3/4" strips) Makes both nightstand carcasses. | 1 each | ☐ |
| 1x2, 6 ft | 2 each | ☐ |
| 1/4" plywood or hardboard, full sheet Both backs and drawer bottoms. | 1 each | ☐ |
| 1x4, 8 ft Both drawer boxes. | 2 each | ☐ |
| 1x8, 5 ft Both drawer faces. | 1 each | ☐ |
| Pocket hole screws, 1-1/4" | 60 each | ☐ |
| Brad nails, 3/4" and 1-1/4" | 60 each | ☐ |
| Drawer slides, 14", euro style | 2 set | ☐ |
| Knobs or handles | 2 each | ☐ |
| Edge banding | 12 ft | ☐ |
| Base moulding, 4-1/4" | 12 ft | ☐ |
| Cove moulding, for top edge | 12 ft | ☐ |
| Wood glue | 3 oz | ☐ |
Overall cost: $$$. Lumber varies by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Pocket Hole Jig, Table Saw. Materials: 3/4" plywood, full sheet (ripped into 15-3/4" strips), Pocket hole screws, 1-1/4", Edge banding
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.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: 1x2, 6 ft
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.
Tools: Brad Nailer. Materials: 1/4" plywood or hardboard, full sheet
Attach the plywood backs with glue and finish nails.
Tools: Brad Nailer, Miter Saw. Materials: Base moulding, 4-1/4"
Miter the corners of the base moulding and wrap it around the bottom with finish nails and glue.
Tools: Brad Nailer. Materials: 1/4" plywood or hardboard, full sheet, 1x4, 8 ft, Brad nails, 3/4" and 1-1/4", Wood 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.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: Drawer slides, 14", euro style
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.
Tools: Brad Nailer, Drill / Driver. Materials: 1x8, 5 ft, Brad nails, 3/4" and 1-1/4", Knobs or handles
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.
Tools: Brad Nailer, Miter Saw, Pocket Hole Jig, Random Orbit Sander. Materials: 1x2, 6 ft, Cove moulding, for top edge
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.