DIY Nightstands

So I went to the library a while ago and picked up some Do It Yourself books and also started scouring the internet for different DIY ideas. I found some great stuff in the books I checked out and a new blog to follow, the writer goes by the title "Thrifty Decor Chick". Anyway, I was inspired to build nightstands for our bedroom. I was so tired of knocking over glasses of water that sat on the floor next to the bed and this in turn soaking my box of kleenexes or dousing my cell phone. I just wanted something simple, but I could not find what I wanted anywhere for less than $50 each nightstand. So after some thinking, planning, and drawing up a sketch with measurements I headed to the hardware store (a secret favorite place of mine) to pick up some MDF (medium density fiberboard), wood screws, primer, and spray paint.....

I forgot to take pictures of the process of cutting pieces. I used the table saw my dad bought for us to cut rectangular shapes from the MDF. To make the legs of the nightstands I used 2x4's that we had at the house, ripped them in half with the table saw and cut them down to the height I needed. This is, obviously, the priming process. Before I primed I had to fill in holes with wood putty and sand everything smooth. After everything was primed I began the spray painting process which WAS a prooooooceeeeessssss. It took forever, and once I got the tables in the bedroom I realized I actually missed a couple spots, but I haven't cared enough to fix them up yet.


This is one of the finished products and it performs its duties well. I just need to find some baskets to put on the bottom shelf so you can't see things like my Tums (for that middle of the night pregnancy heartburn).

This is one of 2 lamps that I found at the Goodwill in Urbandale. They were both brass lamps that had to be taken apart, primed, and spray painted metallic silver. I bought lamp shades from Target to complete the ensembles.

The 2 nightstands from afar (with the bed made!!). As you can see the lamps are not exactly the same style but I've been interested in the "same but different" style of decorating. You know, finding things that are the same color but different styles, or the same type of item (picture frames) and painting them different colors to incorporate all the accent colors in a room.

2 - 2'x4' 1/2" MDF - $20

5 cans black spray paint - $5

Wood screws - $2

Primer - $5

2x4 lumber - free at home

= about $16 per nightstand!!

I believe my hard work and stinginess paid off in this case :)