Learn how to build this DIY Nightstand with Drawer with free plans and a how-to video tutorial. This is an easy beginner build that will add character to your bedroom decor!

Hey guys! I am back with a set of bedside tables to match the DIY Canopy Bed that I just built for my master bedroom makeover. Come check out how easy it is to build! Just click the box below to watch!

How fun was that!? As always, we’ve got the step-by-step tutorial below as well as the free printable plans!

Click here to jump to the free printable plans!

So, let’s get to building!

How to Build a DIY Nightstand with a Drawer

Tools:

Supplies:

Note: This set of plans is for one nightstand. If you build two, make sure to double the supply list.

I chose to use 6″ barnwood from Timeline Skinnies. This is a more expensive option so if you choose to save money, you can substitute 1x6x8 for the barnwood trim or create a pallet wood nightstand using old pallets. Just make sure to measure and cut as you build because the thickness of the boards are not the same.

Step 1:

Kreg Jig 720Pro

Cut the side frame pieces to size. Drill 1 1/2″ pocket holes at both ends of the short cross pieces.

Building the Side Frames

Attach them to the side pieces with 2 1/2″ pocket hole screws and wood glue.

Attaching the second leg to the frame

Build 2 side frames. We like to use our Kreg Face Clamps to keep our joints nice and flush when we are building.

Step 2:

Attaching the top and bottom supports

Cut the top and bottom support pieces to size and drill 1 1/2″ pocket holes at both ends. Attach them to both side frame assemblies with 2 1/2″ pocket hole screws and wood glue.

Step 3:

Add the top and bottom cross supports

Cut the top and bottom cross supports and drill 1 1/2″ pocket holes at both ends. Attach them to the top and bottom supports with 2 1/2″ pocket hole screws and wood glue.

Step 4:

Building the pedestal

Cut the pedestal pieces to size and drill 1 1/2″ pocket holes at both ends of the short side pieces. Attach them to the long, front and back piece with 2 1/2″ pocket hole screws and wood glue.

Step 5:

Installing the pedestal

Attach the pedestal to the bottom of the nightstand, according to the image. Use 2 1/2″ wood screws from the bottom of the inside of the nightstand and into the top of the pedestal.

Step 6:

Adding the cleats

Cut the cleats to size, center them over the bottom cross supports and attach them with 2 1/2″ wood screws from the top of the cleat into the supports. You might check your scrap wood pile for some of these smaller pieces!

Step 7:

Installing the drawer slides

Attach the drawer slides to the cleats.

Step 8:

Drilling pocket holes in shelf

Cut the shelf to size and attach 3/4″ pocket holes on both edges. You can use a miter saw, circular saw or table saw for this.

Attaching shelf to nightstand

Attach it to the side cross supports with 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws and wood glue.

Building and Installing the Drawer

Step 1:

Attaching drawer sides

Cut the plywood drawer sides, front and back pieces to size. Attach them together with 3/4″ staples or brad nails and wood glue.

Attaching drawer bottom

Cut the drawer bottom to size and attach it to the drawer the same way.

Installing the drawer

Pull the drawer slides forward and attach them to the bottom of the drawer.

Adding the Barn Wood Trim

Step 1:

Barnwood Trim

Cut the side panels to size and attach them to the nightstand frame with 1″ pin nails and wood glue. Start with the two outside pieces, then measure and cut for the middle piece. The bottom of the boards will be flush with the bottom of the nightstand frame, with a 45° angle on the top. Do this for both sides.

Step 2:

Top Trim Boards

Cut the top boards to size and attach them to the top of the nightstand the same way.

Step 3:

Pedestal Trim

Cut the side, bottom trim pieces to size. Attach them to the sides of the pedestal with 1″ pin nails and wood glue. Cut the front, pedestal trim piece to size and attach it the same way.

Step 4:

Front trim

Measure and cut for the front miter trim pieces. Attach them one piece at a time and attach them with 1″ pin nails and wood glue

Step 5:

Cut the drawer face pieces to size and attach them to the drawer front with 5/8″ pin nails and wood glue. Leave a 1/8″ gap on the sides to allow the drawer to slide smooth.

The Finish

Adding a drawer pull

Add a finish to the shelf and the inside of the top shelf and add a drawer pull. You can get creative with your hardware selection to give it an even more custom look! I think haripin legs could be a fun modern addition!

The backside of the barnwood is not finished. I opted to match the stained wood shelf and put one coat of the stain on the back of the exposed barn wood.

Add a polyurethane to seal the top of the nightstand.

I love how my DIY Nightstands turned out! With just a little bit of framing lumber, barn wood and elbow grease I was able to build a custom side table that are functional and match my DIY Canopy bed perfectly!

They offer the perfect storage space and i love that the barn wood gives them a rustic night stand look but the straight lines make it more like a modern farmhouse nightstand – very shanty 😉

Get creative and make it your own! Be sure to share it on social media and use #shanty2chic so we can share it too! Happy Building!

Other Shanty2Chic DIY Nightstand Ideas

Just click the links below for the free plans!

DIY Nightstand with Wooden Crates

DIY Rustic Nightstand

DIY Floating Nightstand

5 from 1 vote

DIY Nightstand with Drawer

Learn how to build this DIY Nightstand with free plans and a how-to video! You can download the free set of printable plans, including a detailed shopping list herel

Tools

  • Miter Saw
  • Drill
  • Kreg Jig
  • Table Saw (optional)
  • Brad Nailer
  • Stapler (optional)
  • Pin Nailer (optional)

Supply List

  • 16 1"x6"x48" Barnwood
  • 1 1/2"x48"x48" Hardwood Plywood
  • 5 2x4x8 Framing Lumber
  • 1 1/4" Pocket Hole Screws
  • 2 1/2" Pocket Hole Screws
  • 3/4" Staples (or brad nails)
  • 5/8" Pin Nails (or brad nails)
  • 1" Pin Nails (or brad nails)
  • 2 1/2" Wood Screws
  • 2 Drawer Slides
  • 1 Drawer Pull
  • Wood Glue
  • Wood Filler

Instructions

Cut List – Plans are for one nightstand

  • Cut List 1
  • Cut List 2
  • Cut List 4

Building the Nightstand Frame

  • Cut the side frame pieces to size. Drill 1 1/2" pocket holes at both ends of the short cross pieces and attach them to the side pieces with 2 1/2" pocket hole screws and wood glue. Build 2 side frames.
  • Cut the top and bottom support pieces to size and drill 1 1/2" pocket holes at both ends. Attach them to both side frame assemblies with 2 1/2" pocket hole screws and wood glue.
  • Cut the top and bottom cross supports and drill 1 1/2" pocket holes at both ends. Attach them to the top and bottom supports with 2 1/2" pocket hole screws and wood glue.
  • Cut the pedestal pieces to size and drill 1 1/2" pocket holes at both ends of the short side pieces. Attach them to the long, front and back piece with 2 1/2" pocket hole screws and wood glue.
  • Attach the pedestal to the bottom of the nightstand, according to the image. Use 2 1/2" wood screws from the bottom of the inside of the nightstand and into the top of the pedestal.
  • Cut the cleats to size, center them over the bottom cross supports and attach them with 2 1/2" wood screws from the top of the cleat into the supports.
  • Attach the drawer slides to the cleats.
  • Cut the shelf to size and attach 3/4" pocket holes on both edges. Attach it to the side cross supports with 1 1/4" pocket hole screws and wood glue.

Drawer

  • Cut the drawer sides, front and back pieces to size. Attach them together with 3/4" staples or brad nails and wood glue. Cut the drawer bottom to size and attach it to the drawer the same way.

Barnwood Trim

  • Cut the side trim pieces to size and attach them to the nightstand frame with 1" pin nails and wood glue. Start with the two outside pieces, then measure and cut for the middle piece. The bottom of the boards will be flush with the bottom of the nightstand frame, with a 45° cut on the top. Do this for both sides.
  • Cut the top boards to size and attach them to the top of the nightstand the same way.
  • Cut the side, bottom trim pieces to size. Attach them to the sides of the pedestal with 1" pin nails and wood glue. Cut the front, pedestal trim piece to size and attach it the same way.
  • Measure and cut for the front trim pieces. Attach them one piece at a time and attach them with 1" pin nails and wood glue.
  • Cut the drawer faces to size and attach them to the front of the drawer with 5/8" pin nails and wood glue. Leave a 1/8" gap on the sides to allow the drawer to slide smooth.

The Finish

  • Add a finish to the shelf and the inside of the top shelf and add a drawer pull.
    Get creative and make it your own! Be sure to share it on social media and use #shanty2chic so we can share it too!
    Happy Building!
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One Comment

  1. 5 stars
    Nice article! This cabinet will definitely create harmony in the overall design of my room. These instructions are easy to follow. Thanks.