DIY Bedside Tables for Storage

Store books and magazines as well as anything else you need in bed in a small nightstand or bedside table. Building your own bedside table is not too challenging, but you need to be comfortable using a drill and picking out lumber. Save time and create less of a mess at home by having the lumber cut to order. Once you build the table, you can paint or stain it to match the rest of your bedroom furniture.

Measuring tape
2 1- by 12-inch boards cut to 30-inch lengths
Pencil
1 1- by 10-inch board cut to 12-inch length
Drill and drill bit
6 wood dowels, 1 inch long
Wood glue
2 1- by 12-inch boards cut to 12-inch lengths
Screwdriver bit
12 wood screws, 2 inches long
Paint or wood stain and paintbrush

Instructions

- 1
  Lay one 30-inch board on a flat surface. Measure 10 inches from one side of the board, and draw a straight line across the 12-inch side of the board. Stand the 10-inch-wide board on top of the 30-inch board so that it is perpendicular to the board and the 12-inch side of the board lines up with the pencil line. Draw another pencil line on the other side of the 10-inch board. You have two straight lines, 1 inch apart on the 30-inch board. Repeat with the other 30-inch board.
- 2
  Make three marks between the two pencil lines on the first 30-inch board, each spaced evenly apart. Each mark should be about 4 inches from the others. Repeat with the other 30-inch board. Also make three evenly spaced marks on the edge of the 12-inch sides of the 10-inch board. On the 10-inch board, each mark should be about 4 inches apart.
- 3
  Drill a 1/2-inch hole at each mark. You should have six holes total on the 30-inch boards -- three on each board -- and six holes on the 10-inch board.
- 4
  Put a drop of wood glue into each 1/2-inch hole. Push the wood dowels into the holes on the 30-inch board. Line up the holes on one side of the 10-inch board so that they line up with the three dowels on one side of the 30-inch board. Push the 10-inch board on top of the 30-inch board until it is flush with the board. Push the second 30-inch board onto the 10-inch board, lining up the dowels on the board with the holes on the 10-inch board.
- 5
  Stand the 30-inch boards up so that the 10-inch board is parallel with the ground and near the top of the boards. Let the glue dry overnight.
- 6
  Place one 12-inch board on top of the 30-inch boards, lining up the edges to form the top for the table. Drill three screws into each side of the 12-inch board to attach it to the 30-inch boards. Space the screws evenly, about 4 inches apart.
- 7
  Turn the bedside table upside down, and attach the remaining 12-inch board to the 30-inch boards in the same way you attached the top. Turn the table right side up again.
- 8
  Apply a coat of paint or wood stain to the bedside table with the paintbrush. Let the paint or stain dry for 4 hours or overnight, then apply another coat.

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