The easiest durable nightstand to build is a 24-inch-tall by 18-inch-wide by 16-inch-deep cabinet made from 3/4-inch plywood. This design has one drawer, an open shelf, and a plywood back that keeps the cabinet stable. You can build it with a circular saw and guide, drill, pocket-hole jig, sander, and basic hand tools.
Nightstand Plan at a Glance
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Finished height | 24 inches |
| Finished width | 18 inches |
| Finished depth | 16 inches |
| Storage | One drawer and one open shelf |
| Main material | 3/4-inch plywood |
| Drawer slides | 14-inch side-mount slides |
| Joinery | Glue, pocket screws, and brads |
| Skill level | Beginner to intermediate |
The two 3/4-inch side panels leave an internal cabinet width of 16.5 inches. With 1/2-inch clearance on each side for the drawer slides, the drawer box should be 15.5 inches wide.
Materials and Hardware
Sheet Goods
- 3/4-inch birch plywood for the cabinet
- 1/2-inch plywood for the drawer box
- 1/4-inch plywood for the drawer bottom and back panel
- Iron-on or peel-and-stick edge banding, optional
Hardware and Supplies
- Pair of 14-inch full-extension side-mount drawer slides
- 1 1/4-inch pocket-hole screws
- 1-inch brads or narrow crown staples
- Wood glue
- 120- and 180-grit sandpaper
- Drawer pull or knob
- Primer and paint, or wood finish
Check the actual thickness of your plywood before cutting the interior parts. Material sold as 3/4 inch may measure slightly less than 3/4 inch.
Nightstand Cut List
All measurements are in inches.
3/4-Inch Plywood
| Part | Quantity | Size |
|---|---|---|
| Side panels | 2 | 23 1/4 x 16 |
| Top | 1 | 18 x 16 |
| Lower shelf | 1 | 16 1/2 x 15 1/4 |
| Drawer front | 1 | 17 1/2 x 6 |
The side panels are 23 1/4 inches tall. Once the 3/4-inch top is attached, the finished cabinet height is 24 inches.
1/2-Inch Plywood
| Part | Quantity | Size |
|---|---|---|
| Drawer sides | 2 | 14 x 5 |
| Drawer front and back | 2 | 14 1/2 x 5 |
1/4-Inch Plywood
| Part | Quantity | Size |
|---|---|---|
| Drawer bottom | 1 | 15 1/2 x 14 |
| Cabinet back | 1 | 18 x 23 1/4 |
The 14-inch drawer-box depth is intended for 14-inch drawer slides. Check the installation instructions for the slides you buy before cutting the drawer parts.
Tools You Need
- Circular saw with a straightedge guide, or table saw
- Drill and drill bits
- Pocket-hole jig
- Tape measure and combination square
- Clamps
- Orbital sander
- Hammer or brad nailer
- Level assembly surface
- Iron for iron-on edge banding
How to Build the Nightstand
1. Cut the Plywood Panels
Cut the side panels, top, shelf, drawer parts, and back panel according to the cut list.
Label each part as you cut it. Mark the inside face of both side panels so you do not assemble the cabinet backward.
Check the parts before assembly:
- Both side panels should be the same size.
- The top should be square.
- The shelf should fit between the side panels.
- The drawer parts should have parallel edges.
Accurate cuts make the rest of the build easier.
2. Sand and Edge-Band the Visible Edges
Sand the plywood edges with 120-grit paper.
Apply edge banding to the exposed front edges of:
- Both side panels
- The top
- The lower shelf
- The drawer front
Trim the banding flush with a sharp utility knife or edge-band trimmer. Sand the edges lightly with 180-grit paper.
For a painted nightstand, you can fill the plywood edges with wood filler instead of applying edge banding.
3. Mark the Shelf Position
The lower shelf sits 3 inches above the bottom of the side panels. This leaves a recessed area below the shelf for a small toe kick.
Mark a level line 3 inches above the bottom edge on the inside of both side panels. The top of the shelf should meet this line.
Use a square to extend each mark across the panel. This gives you a clear reference while clamping the shelf in place.
4. Drill the Pocket Holes
Drill pocket holes in these locations:
- Along the inside top area of both side panels, for attaching the top
- Along the underside of the lower shelf, for attaching the shelf to the side panels
Keep the pocket holes on interior or hidden surfaces.
Set the pocket-hole jig for 3/4-inch material and use 1 1/4-inch pocket screws.
5. Assemble the Cabinet
Place one side panel on a flat surface with the inside face up.
Position the lower shelf between the side panels, with the top of the shelf 3 inches above the bottom of the sides. Apply glue to the mating edges, clamp the shelf, and drive the pocket screws.
Attach the second side panel in the same way.
Check the cabinet for square by measuring from corner to corner in both directions. The diagonal measurements should be equal, or nearly equal.
Set the top on the side panels with its edges flush with the sides and front. Apply glue, clamp the top, and drive the pocket screws from the inside. Wipe away excess glue before it dries.
6. Attach the Back Panel
Place the 1/4-inch back panel over the rear of the cabinet.
Align it with the top, sides, and bottom. Check the cabinet diagonals again, since the back panel will hold the cabinet in its current position.
Apply a small amount of glue to the rear edges. Secure the back with 1-inch brads or narrow crown staples spaced about 6 to 8 inches apart.
Square the cabinet before attaching the back. Do not use the back panel to force a badly out-of-square cabinet into position.
7. Build the Drawer Box
Assemble the two drawer sides, drawer front, and drawer back into a rectangular box.
The finished drawer box should measure about:
- 15 1/2 inches wide
- 14 inches deep
- 5 inches high
Apply glue to the joints and reinforce them with screws, brads, or pocket holes.
Attach the 1/4-inch drawer bottom underneath the box. Keep the bottom flush with the outside edges, then check the box for square by measuring both diagonals before the glue dries.
8. Install the Drawer Slides
Separate the cabinet and drawer portions of the slides.
Mount the cabinet portions inside the nightstand. Keep the slides level and parallel, and follow the spacing requirements supplied with the hardware.
Attach the drawer portions to the drawer box at the same height on both sides.
Test-fit the drawer. It should open and close without binding. If it feels tight, check the following:
- The slides are parallel.
- The cabinet is square.
- The drawer box is square.
- The side clearance matches the slide manufacturer's requirements.
9. Attach the Drawer Front
Center the 17 1/2 x 6-inch drawer front over the drawer opening.
Use playing cards, thin cardboard, or commercial spacers to create an even reveal. The listed drawer-front size leaves about 1/4 inch at each side of an 18-inch-wide cabinet. If you want a 1/8-inch reveal on each side, confirm the front width before cutting.
Clamp the drawer front in position. Open the drawer and drive screws from inside the drawer box into the front. Use screws short enough that they do not pierce the finished surface.
Install the drawer pull after the front is secure.
10. Sand and Finish the Nightstand
Sand the nightstand with 120-grit paper, then finish with 180-grit paper.
Lightly soften sharp exposed corners. Avoid heavily rounding the edges, since that can make the joints look uneven.
For a painted finish:
- Fill visible holes and seams.
- Sand the filler smooth.
- Apply primer.
- Sand lightly.
- Apply two finish coats.
For a clear finish:
- Remove all dust.
- Apply stain if desired.
- Apply polyurethane, hardwax oil, or another furniture finish.
- Sand lightly between coats if the product instructions call for it.
Allow the finish to cure fully before placing the nightstand beside your bed.
How to Change the Nightstand Dimensions
You can resize the cabinet while using the same construction method.
To Make It Wider
Increase the width of the top and shelf. The internal cabinet width is:
Overall width minus twice the side-panel thickness
For example, an 18-inch-wide cabinet with 3/4-inch sides has a 16.5-inch internal width. With 1/2-inch side-mount slides, the drawer box should be about 1 inch narrower than the internal opening.
To Make It Taller
Increase the height of the side panels. Remember to include the 3/4-inch top thickness in the finished height.
To Make It Deeper
Increase the depth of the side panels and top. Choose drawer slides that do not exceed the usable cabinet depth.
To Add Legs
Install four legs beneath the cabinet and reduce the side-panel height by the leg height. Attach the legs to a recessed base or stretcher system instead of relying on screws driven only into the plywood edges.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Cutting the shelf before checking the actual plywood thickness
- Installing the drawer slides out of parallel
- Leaving out the back panel, which helps keep the cabinet square
- Attaching the drawer front before the drawer operates smoothly
- Using screws that can pierce the finished surfaces
- Applying finish before sanding away glue squeeze-out
- Failing to secure the nightstand to the wall in a home with children or pets
Final Result
This plan produces a compact nightstand with one drawer, an open lower shelf, and plywood construction. The fit of the drawer depends on accurate cuts, square assembly, and the correct slide clearance. Confirm those details before applying the finish.