Weekend Projects: 5 DIY Nightstand Project Ideas

You don't know what you've got 'til it's gone. Only when I tried living without a nightstand did I realize how important this modest member of the furniture pantheon really is. Bedside tables perform only one function, but it's a vital one—keeping the accouterments of a good night's sleep within easy arm's reach. But while I would argue that owning one is a must, buying one isn't. There are countless ways to create a DIY nightstand cheaply and easily. Here are five favorites. 1. CONVERT A TOOL CHEST

DIY Nightstand - Tool Chest
DIY Nightstand - Tool Chest



Besides its chic industrial styling and wonderful metallic blue, what I love about this DIY nightstand is its set of integral drawers that allow for storage of personal items aplenty. Mounted on a swivel base, the tool chest pictured reaches the desired height (in relation to the bed) and offers convenient portability. 2. STACK A SOLUTION

DIY Nightstand - Suitcases
DIY Nightstand - Suitcases



Thrift stores (and Grandma's attic) are chockablock with vintage suitcases. Stacked on top of one another, two or three can serve as an offbeat, eye-catching, yet perfectly functional DIY nightstand. If you want, lay a cut-to-size pane of glass—or even a mirror—on top of the uppermost case for a smooth, easily cleaned surface. 3. HANG A SHELF

DIY Nightstand - Shelving
DIY Nightstand - Shelving



Limited floor space in the bedroom? Install a floating shelf adjacent to the bed. No heavy-duty materials are required. You need only a couple of L-brackets, a handful of screws, and your screwdriver. For the shelf, use reclaimed wood for a natural look or paint a plywood board to match the existing decor in the room. 4. USE A STEP STOOL

DIY Nightstand - Step Stool
DIY Nightstand - Step Stool



Here's another DIY nightstand project that requires virtually zero effort. If you have a step stool whose shape and patina appeal to your sense of style—or if you can find the perfect piece at a flea market or yard sale—simply place it next to the bed. Each step offers additional surface area upon which to place your things. 5. MAKE A PET BED

DIY Nightstand - Pet Bed
DIY Nightstand - Pet Bed



A dresser becomes a DIY nightstand-cum-pet bed, when you remove the bottom drawers (and their supports). Dress up the interior with beadboard or painted plywood, then add a comfy cushion. The remaining drawer gives you the storage you need, and the space created beneath gives Fido cozy sleeping quarters!

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