How to Repair a Leaning Nightstand

Nightstands with Legs

• 1

  Determine which of the nightstand leg or legs is longer by pressing down on the top of the nightstand. The side of the nightstand that is higher has the longer legs.

• 2

  Place two 6-by 12-inch long strips of 120-grit sandpaper on the floor aligning the distance between the strips to the distance between the legs that are longer. Tape a section of heavy plastic sheeting to the ground, aligning the sheeting with the legs that do not require a height adjustment.

• 3

  Secure the edges of the sandpaper to the floor with duct tape.

• 4

  Place the longer leg or legs on top of the sandpaper and move the nightstand legs vigorously back and forth over the sandpaper until the longer legs are the same height as the shorter legs. Place a level across the top of the nightstand often to determine when the leg heights match. If the level's bubble is in the center, the leg heights match.

Nightstands without Legs

• 5

  Put pressure on the top of the leaning nightstand to lift the lower side of the nightstand off the floor. Have a helper measure the gap from the floor to the bottom of the nightstand. Measure the length of the gap. Note the measurements.

• 6

  Draw a line matching the length of the section that sits above the floor with a straightedge. Align a straightedge to the end of the line and draw a line matching the height of the distance the nightstand sits off the floor. Place a ruler at the top of the line and angle it to the end of the first line you drew. Draw a line to create a pattern for a wood wedge.

• 7

  Cut the template out with scissors and trace around it on a piece of lumber that matches the depth of the nightstand. Cut along the guidelines with a jigsaw to cut out a wedge. Sand the edges smooth with 220-grit sandpaper. Turn the nightstand over and apply a bead of wood glue to the low side. Align the wood wedge with the edge of the nightstand and press the wedge in place. Clean up oozing wood glue with a damp rag. Place a weight on top of the wedge. Let the wood glue dry for two to three hours.

• 8

  Apply stain or liquid scratch cover to the exposed edges of the wedge. Turn the nightstand right side up.