Our simplified take on this midcentury-style nightstand it little more than a four-piece frame completed with a plywood back and some tapered legs. The fasteners are cleverly hidden on the inside and underside of the box to allow the uninterrupted surfaces to complement the design’s clean lines. If you plan to add a drawer like we did, check out our Basic DIY Drawer tutorial to learn how to make a beautiful, sturdy drawer without touching a router or table saw.

 

Cost: $42

Time: 3 Hours

Difficulty: Easy. Pocket hole joinery and simple screw-in legs make this shell quick and easy to assemble.

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Tape Measure

Speed Square

Framing Square

Circular Saw

Drill/Driver

Kreg Jig R3

Clamps

Hammer

Pliers

(1) 1″ x 18″ x 6′ Board

(4) 5 ½ inch Tapered Legs

(4) Table Leg Straight Top Plate

¼ inch plywood – Get a 2-by-4-foot “project panel” at the Homecenter.

1 ¼ inch Wood Screws

1 ¼ inch Pocket Screws

¾ inch Finishing Nails

Round Felt Pad – optional

Wood Glue

1×18 Top – 1 @ 22 inches

1×18 Bottom – 1 @ 22 inches

1 x 18 Sides – 2 @ 12 inches

¼-inch Plywood Backing – Custom cut to size

 

Steps

 

1. Cut the Pieces

 

Using a framing square, measure and mark the first cut listed above on a 1×18-inch board. Using a circular saw, cut the line. Repeat until all four panels are cut to size. Lightly sand each piece in preparation for assembly.

TIP: Get straight cuts with a circular saw using our DIY Cutting Fence.

Build-a-Midcentury-Modern-Nightstand-by-Build-Basic---Step-1-copy

www.Build-Basic.com2. Prep the Sides

 

Mark one long edge of each Side panel as the “top” edge. Using a drill/driver and a pocket hole jig, create five evenly spaced pocket holes along each top edge.
Build-a-Midcentury-Modern-Nightstand-by-Build-Basic---Step-2-copy

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3. Prep the Base

 

Using a straightedge or framing square, draw a line ¾ inch from each end of the bottom panel. Inside this line, drill five evenly spaced pilot holes on each end. If you don’t have a countersink pilot bit, just use a drill bit sized slightly thinner than the thickness of the wood screws.
Build-a-Midcentury-Modern-Nightstand-by-Build-Basic---Step-3-copy

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4. Position the Pieces

 

Flip the Top Panel facedown. Apply wood glue to the top edge of a Side Panel, and then stand it upright on the Top Panel, flush with its end with the pocket holes facing inward. Using a speed square, create a square joint and then clamp a block to both pieces to hold them in place.
Build-a-Midcentury-Modern-Nightstand-by-Build-Basic---Step-4-copy

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5. Attach Sides to the Top

 

Using a drill/driver, drive 1 ¼ inch pocket hole screws through the pocket holes in the Side Panel and into the Top Panel. Repeat steps 4 and 5 to attach the second Side Panel.
Build-a-Midcentury-Modern-Nightstand-by-Build-Basic---Step-5-copy

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6. Attach the Base

 

Apply wood glue to the exposed bottom edge of each Side Panel. Place the Base Panel onto the Side Panels. Using blocks to square the joints, clamp the pieces in place. Now drive 1 ¼ inch wood screws through the pilot holes in the Bottom Panel and into each Side Panel.
Build-a-Midcentury-Modern-Nightstand-by-Build-Basic---Step-6-copy

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7. Add the Leg Mounting Plates

 

At each corner of the Bottom Panel, measure a mark a line 1 ½ inches from each edge. Position the Top Plates inside the lines. Drill shallow pilot holes in each of the mounting holes, and then secure the Top Plates using the screws provided.
Build-a-Midcentury-Modern-Nightstand-by-Build-Basic---Step-7-copy

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8. Modify the Legs

 

While it’s not required, we removed the foot at the base of the legs. To do so, pry the adjustable piece free using pliers. If a jagged edge remains, it can be capped with a small round felt pad.
Build-a-Midcentury-Modern-Nightstand-by-Build-Basic---Step-8-copy

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9. Add the Legs

 

Screw the threaded rod on each leg into a top plate to secure them in place.
Build-a-Midcentury-Modern-Nightstand-by-Build-Basic---Step-9-copy

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10. Secure the Back

 

Place the ¼ inch plywood backing face up on the work surface. Lay the back edge of the assembly onto the plywood, flush with two edges. Mark the remaining two edges. Using a circular saw, cut the plywood to size. Now flip the assembly on its face, and place the plywood facedown onto the assembly, flush with its outside edges. Using a hammer, drive ¾ inch finish nails through the plywood and into the back edge of the assembly to hold the Back Panel in place.

 

Tip: Check out our Build a Basic DIY Drawer tutorial.

Build-a-Midcentury-Modern-Nightstand-by-Build-Basic---Step-10-copy

www.Build-Basic.com

11. Add the Drawer (optional)

 

Click over to our Basic DIY Drawer tutorial to learn how to build a simple drawer (without using a table saw or router).
Basic-DIY-Drawer-by-Build-Basic---Step-8-copy

www.Build-Basic.com

 

MORE BUILDING PLANS

 

 

19 thoughts on “Build a Midcentury Nightstand

  1. Pingback: 33 Simply Brilliant Cheap DIY Nightstand Ideas - Homesthetics - Inspiring ideas for your home.

  2. Bam

    Hey Jen,

    My room is a little small so space is limited. Any suggestions or recs related to scaling? Or is it as simple shortening the table and drawer widths by the same amounts?

    Reply

  3. Melissa

    Hi Jenn,

    Wonderful project, I’m hoping to do this myself shortly!
    Quick question, am i able to make it with 2 drawers? Just double the drawer tutorial?
    Thank You!

    Reply

  4. Cara

    Hi Jenn! I’m starting this project soon after eyeing it and planning it out for months. I have one question though – if I made it without the back piece of plywood and left it open, would that affect the stability at all?

    Reply

    1. Jenn Post author

      Hi Cara,

      That’s so exciting! You’ll have to share pictures! As for the stability, if you’re going to skip the full backing, I would still install a board (1×3 or whatever you have laying around) inside the back of the cabinet to keep it square. You can install it near the top with pocket holes so it’s hidden once the drawer is installed, but just make sure to make your drawer ¾-inch shorter. If you email me (jenn@build-basic.com) I can send you a quick sketch. Hope this helps!!–Jenn

      Reply

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