Introduction: DIY Small Side Table/nightstand
I recently built a new headboard for my bedroom and needed a new bedside table to go with it. I didn't want to spend a lot of money on this so I gave myself the challenge to build something out of a pile of leftover wood I had been accumulating for a while. You can see the whole build process in the video but here are the steps to make the table
Step 1: The Inspiration
The design for the table was loosely inspired by this $800 table from C2B. I say loosely because I was making my table with limited tools and scrap pieces of wood I had left over from other projects.
Step 2: Cut All the Wood
I don't have a workshop so I set up outside in the alley to cut all the wood (love my Worx workbench and cordless circular saw!).
I used 3/4" plywood for the bottom and top of the table:
the bottom has 2 pieces:
1 x 21"x15"
1x18"x12"
and the top has 3 pieces:
15" x 9"
18"x12"
21"x15"
For the pedestal, I had used 1"x3"s and 1"x4"s - having a miter saw would have been nice to cut the 1"x3" but I made the circular saw work.
1"x3" cut list:
3 x 4.5"
2 x 5.5"
2 x 6.5"
2 x 7.5"
2 x 8.5"
2 x 9.5"
1"x4" cut list:
3 x 5.5"
2 x 5.5"
2 x 6.5"
2 x 7.5"
2 x 8.5"
2 x 9.5"
2 x 10.5"
1 x 11.5
Step 3: Finish Off the Edges
I covered all the ends of the wood pieces with iron-on veneer - that was the longest part of making the table!
Step 4:
I used wood glue and 1 1/4" screws to attach the boards together, staggering the screws so they wouldn't hit the ones from the previous board. I also used 3" screws to attach the plywood boards to the pedestal. I used a level to make sure the table wasn't going up crooked and a line in the middle of each board helped me align them in the other direction.
Once the pedestal was done, I attached the first piece of plywood to the top with 3" screws and then screwed that to the other 2 pieces of plywood from the bottom so that no screws would show on the top.
Step 5: Sand and Protect the Wood
I loved the look of the wood so I chose to not paint it. I love the shape of the table and how sculptural it looks and it looks great with my new headboard!