Want to learn how to build a nightstand? Awesome, let’s build one together! It takes less than 2 hours to build this nightstand and it can also be used as a side table.

Build it cheaper than buying it

We have been looking for a nightstand for Gabrielle’s bedroom ever since we started updating her room. We found a few we liked, but we did not like the price tags.

I can’t get over how expensive a nightstand can be. I just can’t bring myself to spend $100-$200 for one. Am I being cheap or do you find that expensive too?

I came across this beautiful x-shaped magazine holder on Pinterest and it made me realize that we could build our own nightstand.

Since this month’s At Home DIY Challenge is Build It Cheaper Than Buying It Furniture, it’s the perfect time to build a nightstand!

I’m participating in a year long DIY challenge with fabulous DIY bloggers. Every month we have a new challenge. Last month’s challenge was Make it Pretty Outdoors, I showed how to make a barn quilt door. At the bottom of this post you’ll find a bunch of Build It Cheaper Than Buying It Furniture projects.

This post also contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

How to build a nightstand

Materials

• 1x Hobbyboard 16″ x 48″ (11/16″ thick)
• 1x 2″x2″ x 8′
• 12x 1.25″ screws 1 1/8″

Tools

• Tape measure
• Combination square
• Miter saw
• Kreg Jig
• Drill
• Bar F Clamps

Cut list

• 2x 16″x16″
• 2x 16″x5.5″
• 4x 2″x2″ 17″ long

Instructions

Step 1: Cut the Hobbyboard based on the cut list above using a miter saw. We made sure the grain of the wood was going in the same direction for all the pieces.

NOTE: If you can not find a hobbyboard. You can also make your own by buying boards and joining them together with glue and biscuit joints. I shared a glimpse on how to do that when we built a screen door.

Step 2: Use a miter saw to cut 2″x2″ in four pieces of 17″ in length.

Step 3: We made a total of 4 pockets with the Kreg Jig (2 at the top and 2 at the bottom) and drilled two inches from the side on each smaller piece of the Hobbyboard.

Step 4: We placed the smaller pieces on each side of one of the big square pieces. We used bar f clamps to keep everything in place. We placed 1 ⅛″ screws inside the bottom pockets and drilled them into the big square piece.

Step 5: We flipped over the newly assembled pieces and placed them over the remaining big square piece. We used the bar f clamps again to secure everything. Using a short screwdriver, we screwed in 1 ⅛″ screws inside the remaining pockets.

Step 6: Using a Kreg Jig we made 2 pocket holes on each leg. We made sure to double check the positioning of each leg on the nightstand before making the pocket holes. All the pocket holes need to be the less visible as possible. We opted for them to be in the back of the leg and on in the inside.

Step 7: Once all four table legs had their pocket holes, it was time to attach them to the base of the nightstand. We made sure to measure first and leave a 1″ gap on each side.

Step 8: Time to flip over the nightstand and lightly sand all the sharp edges so that they are smooth.

And it’s finished!

PLEASE NOTE: You’ll find the detailed step by step and more photos at the bottom of this post.

DIY modern nightstand

Doesn’t it look great? I love that it’s simple and doesn’t take away from the frame headboard we made.

Gabrielle is thrilled to have a nightstand. There’s enough room for her to store things in the cubby. We may add a little slot on the top like the slot found on this floating shelf.

I especially love the cost. It cost us less than $40 to build it! The hobbyboard was $21 and the 2×2 was around $7 (all in Canadian funds).

You may have noticed that we did not varnish or stain the nightstand. The reason being is because we want to continue building on to it. Curious as to what we have in mind? Stay tuned!

P.S. If you loved my DIY nightstand tutorial, please PIN IT and share it! Thank you so much!

Building your own furniture

Have you ever built your own furniture because it was cheaper to build it than to buy it?

Sometimes it not necessary because it’s cheaper to build, but rather because you can’t seem to find what you want. Or sometimes both. When we built our wood wall sconces, it was because we couldn’t find what we wanted and it was really inexpensive to build them custom to our taste.

Have yourself a fabulous day my friends!

Christine