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Furniture

Industrial Nightstand

Step-by-step build — 23 steps. Also available as a print sheet.

  1. 1Step 1

    • Start by building the back frame!
    • Join your Top Back Rail to two Legs using pocket holes drilled at 1 1/2" and using 2 1/2" screws and wood glue to attach!!
    • Also attach the Bottom Back Rail with the same pocket holes, screws and glue! *Black ovals indicate pocket hole placement!
    Industrial Nightstand — step photo 3
  2. 2Step 2

    With the back frame laying on the floor, attach the top side rails to the back frame! Again using pocket holes drilled at 1 1/2" and using 2 1/2" screws and wood glue!

    Industrial Nightstand — step photo 4
  3. 3Step 3

    Attach the bottom side rails! Keeping with the same pocket hole depth and screw size!! Make sure to use glue!!

    Industrial Nightstand — step photo 5
  4. 4Step 4

    Attach the top, front rail! Keeping with the same pocket hole depth and screw size...still making sure to glue! ;)

    Industrial Nightstand — step photo 6
  5. 5Step 5

    Attach front legs to the top front rail...pocket hole placement is not shown in the picture but they are on the back of the legs just as the back ones were done! Still using the same 1 1/2" pocket holes and 2 1/2" screws to attach!!

    Industrial Nightstand — step photo 7
  6. 6Step 6

    Attach front, bottom rail! Pocket holes are to the back of this board! Same pocket hole depth and screws...making sure to glue!

    Industrial Nightstand — step photo 8
  7. 7Step 7

    Moving on to filling in the side frame with the side boards! The pocket hole depth is changing to 3/4" pocket holes and 1 1/4" screws! You will still want to glue all joints as best as you can! I alternated my 1x6s and 1x4s, you can arrange them however you would like as long as there are 2 of each on each side!

    Industrial Nightstand — step photo 9
  8. 8Step 7 (cont)

    Here is an inside look!

    Industrial Nightstand — step photo 10
  9. 9Step 8

    Attach the side boards on the other side! :)

    Industrial Nightstand — step photo 11
  10. 10Step 9

    Flip the nightstand upside down to attach top boards...Using pocket holes drilled at 3/4" and 1 1/4" screws and glue!

    Industrial Nightstand — step photo 12
  11. 11Step 10

    Attach front and back shelf rails! Switching back to a pocket hole depth of 1 1/2" and 2 1/2" screws and glue to attach!

    Industrial Nightstand — step photo 13
  12. 12Step 10 (cont)

    Here's the back view!

    Industrial Nightstand — step photo 14
  13. 13Step 11

    Attach shelf boards! And switching back to a pocket hole depth of 3/4" and using 1 1/4" screws! Of course, don't forget the glue!! Haha!!

    Industrial Nightstand — step photo 15
  14. 14Step 12

    Attach drawer slide braces (I cannot for the life of me remember what this is actually called...brain fart!!)Just and glue and screw them straight into the side with 1 1/4" flat head screws...make sure they are completely flush with the board or slightly sunk into the board!

    Industrial Nightstand — step photo 16
  15. 15Step 13

    Attach your drawer slides!! I have to say, I have hated drawers...until NOW!! This new drawer slide jig is UH-MAZING!! Just clamp it on and screw the screws into the side brace attaching the slides...then flip the jig out the opposite direction and set your drawer box on it and screw the slides into your drawer box!! It's really that simple!! Pretty much EVERYTHING went wrong while I was building this nightstand except the drawer!! Normally its the other way around!! Lol!!

    Industrial Nightstand — step photo 17
  16. 16Step 14

    • MEASURE between your drawer slides!!! DO not go off of the measurements listed here...these measurements are based off of living in a perfect world where we don't make mistakes...you want to make your drawer box the correct size to fit your nightstand, so make sure and measure or you risk wasting a ton of time, energy, and supplies!! I know all too well!! Ha!!
    • Once you have measured, build your drawer box!
    Industrial Nightstand — step photo 18
  17. 17Step 15

    Attach the 1/4" plywood to the bottom of your drawer!! I usually just glue and staple it to the bottom of my drawer...I know it's the not so fancy pants woodworker way...and I am totally down with that!!

    Industrial Nightstand — step photo 19
  18. 18Step 16

    Attach the drawer to the drawer slides!! I didn't take a picture while I was doing this and I really wish I would have to show you how well the drawer slide jig works!! I was just too excited about how simple it was to use and forgot all about taking pictures!!

  19. 19Step 17

    Attach your Drawer face! I just put plenty of glue, line it up just how I want it, and brad nail it into place from the inside of the drawer!! The picture is just for reference, your drawer should already be in your nightstand!

    Industrial Nightstand — step photo 20
  20. 20Step 18

    The mitered accents are cut at 45 degrees off square...they are six inches long at their longest point! I just used glue and brad nailed them into place since it was just for looks not structure!

    Industrial Nightstand — step photo 21
  21. 21Step 17 (cont)

    View with the drawer installed!

    Industrial Nightstand — step photo 22
  22. 22Step 19

    Choose the finish you would like to use and apply it to this beauty!! I used the same flat black paint from Rust-oleum on the bottom...then I went over it with an acrylic craft paint in sterling silver because the stain was too light up against the harsh black! The stain I used here I wasn't crazy about...in the garage when I stained it, it looked great...then I brought it into the house and did not care for it at all!! It was a mixture of several stain colors! I cut the faux metal accents from the left over 1/4" plywood I had and painted them the same way I painted the bottom with the black and silver and used the furniture tacks to attach them!! And that's it...it's done!! Woohoo!!

  23. 23Step 20

    Make sure and check out my website Build It Craft It Love It for more awesome, free plans!!