3 Drawer Nightstand

Add a lot of storage space to your room with these plans to build a DIY nightstand with 3 drawers.

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If you’re wondering where all the drawers from the last few posts came from, here’s the culprit! This may be one of my favorite woodworking projects to date. I say that every time I finish something, but I really mean it this time! There’s so much storage space in this little guy, and I just can’t get over the clean lines.

If you’re looking to build this, I have a few posts with more details about the drawers that you may be interested in:

• How to Build a Basic Drawer
• How to Build a Drawer with a Router
• How to Build a Drawer with a Finish Nailer
• The Easiest Way to Install Drawer Fronts
• How to Install Drawer Slides

For the purposes of the lumber and cut lists, I used dimensions for the drawers based on building the drawers with a finish nailer. If you choose to build the drawers with a different method, adjust your cuts as necessary.

Enjoy the Plans!

Tools & Supplies

• 3 Pairs of 14″ Drawer Slides (I used bottom mount slides but these side ball-bearing ones are also great)
• 3 Handles
• Kreg Pocket Hole Jig
• Miter Saw
• Circular Saw
• Drill
• Orbital Sander
• Tape Measure
• Clamps
• Wood Glue
• Level
• Speed Square
• Pencil
• Safety Glasses
• Ear Protection
• 1 ¼” Pocket Hole Screws

Lumber:

• 5 | 1 x 4 @ 8′
• 1 | 2 x 2 @ 8′
• 1 | 1 x 2 @ 8′
• 1 | 1 x 6 @ 8′
• 1 | 1/4″ x 1 1/5″ Lattice Trim @ 8′ (available in the trim aisle)
• 1 | Half Sheet of 1/4″ Plywood

Cuts:

• 4 | 2 x 2 @ 23″ (legs)
• 6 | 1 x 2 @ 13 1/2″ (frame)
• 8 | 1 x 4 @ 20″ (sides)
• 5 | 1 x 4 @ 17 1/2″ (tabletop)
• 6 | 1 x 4 @ 15″ (drawer sides)
• 6 | 1 x 4 @ 10 1/2″ (drawer front & back)
• 3 | 1 x 6 @ 13 1/4″ (drawer fronts)
• 4 | 1/4″ Lattice @ 14″ (trim)
• 1 | 1/4″ Plywood @ 13 1/2″ x 20″ (nightstand back)
• 3 | 1/4″ Plywood @15″ x 12″ (drawer bottoms)

Step 1.

Build the sides of the nightstand out of 1x4s. You could use plywood, but I went with 1x4s this time – up to you!

Use wood glue and 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws to attach the boards to each other as you would a tabletop. Stagger the pocket holes to ensure a solid joint.

You’ll also need pocket holes along the outside edges of the panel to attach the side to the legs in step 2.

Build two sides.

Step 2.

Attach the side panel to the 2×2 legs with wood glue and 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Repeat for the other side.

Step 3.

Join the side panels together with the top & bottom 1×2 supports in the front and back.

Use wood glue and 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws to attach the 1x2s to the legs.

Step 4.

Insert the back panel into place and attach it to the 1x2s with wood glue and finish nails.

Step 5.

Once the back panel is in place, add a support in the middle along the top and bottom to make sure the side panels don’t bend inward at all.

Position the center 1x2s just behind the middle joint in the side panels to avoid putting a screws through the seam (if you built it out of 1x4s rather than plywood).

Step 6.

Add the trim pieces on the top and bottom of each side panel.

Step 7.

Build the top of the nightstand the same way that you did the side panels. Join the 1x4s to each other with wood glue and 1 1/4″ finish nails. Stagger the pocket holes on each side to ensure a strong joint (as shown in the photo above).

Wait to attach the top until you’ve installed all the drawers.

Step 8.

Build three drawers with dimensions as shown. See the posts listed at the top of this tutorial for details to build the drawers.

Install the drawers in the nightstand as shown in my tutorial – How to Install Drawer Slides. I used bottom-mount slides since I attached the bottom of the drawer with finish nails and glue. The bottom-mount slides reinforce the bottom a little.

Once you’ve installed the slides, attach the drawer fronts. See my post on how to install drawer fronts if you need more information.

Step 9.

Last but not least, attach the tabletop! I positioned the tabletop so it’s flush with the back of the nightstand and overhangs the front 1/2″. Adjust to fit your style.

I like to attach tabletops with small corner braces. The braces let the top move when the wood expands and contracts without pulling on the frame.

I used four on this tabletop – one in each corner of the frame (on the inside side of the nightstand).

And that’s that – sand and finish as desired!

I stained it with Varathane weathered wood accelerator in “brown” and sealed it with glossy water-based polyurethane.

I used some old handles I had lying around for the drawers, but here are some similar ones.

Please let me know if you have any questions and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Thanks for stopping by!

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