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This nightstand gets a reclaimed-wood look from planked 1x4 side panels — four boards edge to edge, trimmed flush top and bottom — but the real technical story is that it holds three separate drawers, more than almost any other nightstand in this catalog. That drawer count raises the stakes on a warning the source states directly: whenever a project holds drawers, it is CRITICAL that the whole case is square, or the drawers won't slide correctly. With three drawer openings instead of one, there are three separate chances for a small square-up error to show up as a sticking drawer.
Build the side panels first, pocket-holed together into a solid unit if you have a jig, then trimmed flush top and bottom — check they're perfectly square before moving on, and if a panel isn't coming out flat, add extra 1x2 bracing lined up with the front tie-ins rather than forcing it. Attach the legs to the panel ends flush to the top, then the front and back tie-ins, checking square by measuring from opposite leg to opposite leg on both the top and bottom of the legs — not just once, at both levels.
Each drawer box is built 1" narrower than its housing opening for slide clearance, and the drawer faces go on LAST, positioned with an even 1/8" gap on all sides before nailing — building and testing the drawer boxes' slide action before ever committing to face placement is what keeps the three drawer fronts reading as a clean, evenly-gapped row instead of an obviously hand-fit patchwork.
| Item | Qty |
|---|---|
| 2x2, 8 ftLegs and tie-ins. | 3 each |
| 1x2, 8 ftSide panel trim and top. | 1 each |
| 1x4, 8 ftSide panels and top. | 3 each |
| 1x6, 8 ftDrawer faces. | 1 each |
| 1x3, 10 ftDrawer boxes and top front. | 2 each |
| 1/4" plywood, for back and drawer bottoms | 1 each |
| Knobs or pulls | 3 each |
| Euro-style drawer slides, 16" | 3 set |
| Pocket hole screws, 1-1/4" | 60 each |
| Finish nails, 1-1/4" | 40 each |
| Wood glue | 4 oz |
Overall cost: $$. Lumber prices vary by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure we would only be pretending to know.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L |
|---|---|---|
| Side trim1x2, 8 ft | 4 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 14" |
| Side panels1x4, 8 ft | 8 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 23 1/4" |
| Legs2x2, 8 ft | 4 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 27 1/4" |
| Front/back tie-ins2x2, 8 ft | 6 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 16" |
| Center tie-in2x2, 8 ft | 1 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 14" |
| Back panel1/4" plywood, for back and drawer bottoms | 1 | 1/4" × 19" × 23 1/4" |
| Top, back edge1x2, 8 ft | 1 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 21" |
| Top, middle boards1x4, 8 ft | 4 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 21" |
| Top, front edge1x3, 10 ft | 1 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 21" |
| Drawer sides1x3, 10 ft | 6 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 14 1/2" |
| Drawer fronts/backs1x3, 10 ft | 6 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 15" |
| Drawer bottoms1/4" plywood, for back and drawer bottoms | 3 | 1/4" × 16" × 15" |
| Drawer faces1x6, 8 ft | 3 | 3/4" × 5 1/2" × 15 3/4" |
Buy 13 boards at 8 ft.
3 boards
1 board
If using a pocket-hole jig, attach the panel boards to each other first with 1-1/4" pocket hole screws (jig set for 3/4" stock) to make a solid panel. Attach the trim flush to the top and bottom with 1-1/4" finish nails and wood glue. Check that the panels are perfectly square — this matters more here than usual, since the case will hold three drawers. If a panel isn't coming out flat, add extra 1x2 bracing lined up with the front tie-ins.
Attach the legs to the ends of the panels, flush to the tops.
Attach the front and back tie-ins with predrilled 2-1/2" screws and wood glue. Check the entire project for square by measuring from opposite leg to opposite leg, both at the top and bottom of the legs — with three drawer openings ahead, this step is not optional.
Add the center tie-in support between the two drawer bay openings.
Starting at the back with the 1x2, attach flush to the back with 1" overhangs on both sides, then add the 1x4 middle boards, and finish with the 1x3 front board.
Build each drawer box 1" narrower than its housing opening for slide clearance. Attach the plywood bottoms. Install the drawer boxes inset 3/4" from the front of the project and confirm each one slides smoothly before moving on.
Attach the plywood back. Position each drawer face over its drawer box with an even 1/8" gap on all sides, then nail on — avoiding hardware locations. Add pulls, sand, and finish.
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3 boards
3 boards
1 board
1 board
1 board
Assumes 8 ft stock, a 1/8" saw kerf, and buying each part at its own width. Change the board size or kerf on the full board plan →