How to Redo a Night Stand in a Neat Design

Chevrons or Stripes

• Even if that nightstand is a thrifted piece from the 1950s, it doesn't have to look outdated or old. Bring it into the 21st century by painting chevrons or stripes on it. Painter's tape is the key to creating the designs; simply arrange rows of tape in connected "V" shapes for chevrons, or, for stripes, in parallel strips. Arrange tape strips in varying widths for added visual interest. The tape goes on after the entire nightstand has a fresh coat of the first paint color, such as apple green; then the second color, such as mint green, goes between the tape strips.

Animal Prints

• If quirky or kitschy is your idea of playful bedroom decor, an animal print nightstand may make you purr with delight. To make any animal print, paint the nightstand in one color first, such as white for a zebra print or tan for a giraffe or leopard. Add the stripes for a zebra or spots for a giraffe or leopard with a second color, and even a third if creating a leopard spot look. For just a spot of flash, paint the nightstand one color, such as violet, with only the top or drawer in an animal print. No one said animal prints have to be true to natural colors either -- a blue and green zebra print may be more your style.

Night Sky

• Since a nightstand is used primarily at night, why not turn it into a piece of art that reflects the night sky? Indigo as a background color gives it that night-sky vibe; give it an ombre or fade effect in one corner by mixing in white paint to imply dusk or dawn. Glow-in-the-dark paint specks, applied by flicking the bristles of a paint-loaded toothbrush, act as stars for your night(sky)stand. Paint on larger dots with the end of a paintbrush handle or a pencil to recreate a sky map of your favorite constellations.

Decoupage

• Colored tissue paper, washi paper, old tourist maps or pages from outdated books all give a fresh new look to your nightstand. Decoupage medium or watered-down school glue adhere the paper materials to the nightstand. Paint some parts of the nightstand, such as the legs and basic framework, covering the other areas with decoupage for a fresh look. Using decorative papers based on their colors allows you to create specific decoupage designs on the nightstand, such as stripes of color interspersed with stripes of text from book pages. Patterned duct tape can be used to create a similar effect, without the need for decoupage medium.