How to Make a Wall-Mounted Night Stand

Select two pieces of lumber that are the length you want your nightstand to be, then select two equally sized side pieces that will create the desired width. For example, use 1-by-6-inch lumber to build a nightstand box that is 6 inches deep. Buy them precut, cut them to size yourself, or have a home improvement store cut them for you. The box can be rectangular or square, and the functional size is from 1 to 2 feet wide.

Lay the four pieces of wood on their sides and assemble the box. Put the two side pieces between the two long top and bottom pieces. Use an electric drill to screw two wood screws through the two long pieces and into the side pieces. You will have two screws at each end of the top piece, and at each end of the bottom piece.

Measure the total length of the nightstand, and the total width. Cut a piece of plywood to match those measurements.

Place a bead of wood glue along the box edges, on all four sides. This will be the back of the box. Press the cut plywood into the wood glue on the back of the nightstand, making a five-sided box with an opening that will face the room. Lay the box on the floor and let the glue dry for 24 hours.

Drill two pilot holes in the plywood backing. Make both holes 1 inch from the top of the nightstand, and 1 inch in from each side, or as needed to make sure that you will be drilling into wall studs, which are usually 16 inches apart.

Hold the nightstand against the wall where you want to install it. Place a level on the top and adjust the nightstand until it is level. Use a pencil to mark where the pilot holes are located.

Set the nightstand down and drill through the marks on the wall. Insert a wall anchor into each hole if you are drilling into drywall. Anchors are not needed if you are drilling into wall studs. Have a helper hold the nightstand in place so the pilot holes are over the anchors. Screw one screw into each anchor.