Easy to Make Bedside Table

A bedside table is an essential to store a lamp and a glass of water and providing space for other nighttime essentials. You can build a bedside table in a style to match your bedroom decor, appropriately scaled for your space. In a small room, consider a bedside shelf mounted to the wall to keep your floors clear. If you have more space, you may want a more substantial bedside table with shelves and additional storage space.

A Bedside Shelf

One of the easiest bedside table options is a floating shelf. This is an inexpensive and quick project. Purchase two brackets with keyhole screw mounts at your local home improvement store. You should also purchase a 12-inch-wide board. This can be cut to the desired length at the hardware or home improvement center--24 inches works very well, but a shorter length will also work. Stain or paint and polyurethane both the shelf and brackets before proceeding.

Use a stud finder to mark the position of the brackets on the wall. Screw into place on the bottom of the shelf. Attach the mounted shelf to the wall.

Refurbishing

If you already own dated, worn or unattractive bedside tables, consider revamping the pieces you already have. You can also find inexpensive bedside tables at thrift stores or garage sales. Sand all surfaces smooth, removing any old paint and finish. Prime and paint as desired.

Add personality and style to your bedside table by decoupaging the drawer fronts with fabric or paper. A hard finish sealer such as Hard Coat Mod Podge can be applied to adhere the paper or fabric and then seal these surfaces.

Building a Bedside Table

If you are building a bedside table from scratch, you can choose from a variety of plans. In most cases, you will construct a four-legged table from 1 3/4-inch-by-1 3/4-inch lumber. Add cross supports from the same lumber and plywood shelves as desired. Make the top of your bedside table out of good quality veneered plywood and finish the edges neatly with trim molding.

Sand the entire piece once complete and stain and finish as desired. Use glue and wood screws to assemble your bedside table.