For some reason I was having the hardest time picking out bedside tables for our bedroom. Do you ever get a mental block about something? Why was finding the perfect bedside tables turning out to be so hard? I think part of the issue for me was that I really did want them to be cute and match the look of our room. But I also wanted them to be functional/useful, because we often sit in bed at night and watch a movie on our laptop, or I'll finish up a little work. Sometimes we read, and I like to keep nail polish and lotion by my side of the bed too. So our bedside tables tend to become a catch-all for lots of different items. Thankfully our friend Josh was in town and kindly volunteered to create the perfect bedside tables for us! Here's how he did it:
Bed Side Table tools and supplies:
1.5" Kreg screws (fine thread) you won't have to pre-drill with these screws
.75" wood screws
3/4" hardwood sheet of hardwood plywood 4' by 8'
drill
wood glue
sandpaper (50 and 220 grit)
straight edge
tape measure
pencil
skill saw
Optional:
stain
polyurethane
Steps:
1. Cut (2) 18" by 8' strips from plywood sheet
2. From remaining piece, cut a a piece 3" by 8" and 3.75" by 8". sand and glue together (as pictured)
3. Cut (2) pieces 26.5" by 18" (sand all edges)
4. Cut (2) pieces 17.75" by 18" (sand all edges)
5. Cut a 16.25" by 18" piece (sand all edges)
6. Cut 13.5" by 18" piece (sand all edges)
7. Glue and screw pieces A,B,C,D together (as pictured)
8. Glue E and F together (as pictured) let dry then install into the ABCD
9. Glue in G and H (optional)
10. Let table dry and flip, install casters (as pictured)
11. Sand all edges and surfaces
12. Optional (stain and seal)
Jeremy and I absolutely LOVE how the tables turned out! We have been using every little nook, especially the pencil holders. 🙂 A big thank you to
Josh for creating these beautiful tables and sharing his process with us. xo. Elsie
91 Comments
Wow, looks really great!
Claire
http://Www.Daydreamsinthegarden.blogspot.co.UK
Love these – especially the pencil holders! so cute.
Very cool and I can’t believe its DIY!! The diagram is really helpful – thanks for this!
http://www.neatobonito.com
This looks amazing!
xo,
RN
http://www.rachelnicoleblog.com
That thing is so cute! Very useful diy!
http://somebodyfromsomewhere.blogspot.com/
So great, I am personally a fan of the more complicated DIY’s like this one that involves dedication and craftsmanship. Great job, Josh!
-Courtney
http://www.alwaysrooney.com
i love the stain and i think the pencil holder is my favorite part.
Love these!
These are adorable! I love the pencil holder 🙂
The pencil holders are a cute idea!
Nice project! I like the pencil holder! I never know where to put mine on my own nightstand… Thanks!
the pencil slot is my favorite. i have pens and pencils everywhere. this is a much better solution.
That looks lovely!
http://erstwhilefelicity.blogspot.co.uk/
Such a useful (and cool) night table! I especially love the cubicle for colored pencils. 🙂
http://catherinedenton.com
Oh, wow! I’ve been wanting to do a project like this. I found one at a thrift I antiqued for my side of the bed, but I wanted to make a custom one for my husband that is a little more manly.
Jillian – http://epic-thread.blogspot.com
Thats so cute, I wish I could make something like that
Please check out and follow my blog! I’d really appreciate it! http://seasidebeauty.blogspot.co.uk/
We were in this dilemma not that long ago… it can be hard finding a bedside table that suits! I LOVE the little nooks. Such a great use of space!
Oooh! I want to make one of these for a couch-side table!
Too cute!
I really like that!
xo Jennifer
http://seekingstyleblog.wordpress.com
fantastic idea. love the compartment where you can store pencils! super clever!
http://theeoptimist.blogspot.com
What a great idea! It’s so hard to find something in the store that suites your exact style, wants, and needs. Sometimes it’s best to just create it on your own.
I love how functional these are, yet still so cute! Thanks so much for sharing the exact design with us…so awesome 🙂
wow. i am an architecture major and the diagram that josh made is amazing. i have followed his blog and instagram ever since you guys started showing his work on the blog and i really appreciate someone who takes the time to make a diagram like that for everyone to learn from! i’m also curious what program he used to draw it out? i’m guessing Illustrator was involved, but did he also do some 3D modeling? SO good.
this is awesome!
Really usefull DIY
Super cute! I’m loving the color of the wood!
xo Heather
http://ahopelessnotebook.blogspot.com/
love this!! I write at night so the pencil/pen holder is brilliant!
xo
Ooh these are cool!
That looks so great and I really like that you’ve put it on wheels!
http://www.rafflesbizarre.blogspot.com
I can’t beleive it’s DIY! Great job!
http://petitemaisonoffashion.blogspot.com
This looks wonderful! I wish I could make something like this too, this would look amazing next to my bed. Thank you for sharing this diy, love it!
wish i was this handy/creative! cute post girly!
HeartofChic.blogspot.com
They are really darling!
xo
Diana
http://unusuallylovely.com
I’ve been looking for bedside tables for so long! We just uses old little side coffee tables at the moment. If only I could convince my bf to make some of those 🙂
Carina
http://carstina.blogspot.co.nz/
I love this!! My favorite part is definitely the pencil nook 🙂
-Emma from littlemotley.blogspot.com
Love the pencil nook. A librarian hint though, don’t store books or notebooks sideways like that. It will hurt the bindings.
Love that it’s completely personal – and unique! Love the nail polish idea. Lol…I need more compartments! Good to have Josh visit more often!
I’d love to share this to my fb page (organically opulent) – it’s a great DIY project!
This is such an innovative idea!
I absolutely love the staining, and the way you’ve styled it is fantastic.
Great post, thanks!
poodlestalkers.blogspot.com.au
so lovely! we’ve been trying to decide on side tables for two years!! i love these! Never thought I’ve making our own but now that I know of the possibilities…that might just be the route we take! Thanks for the inspiration!
LOVE the pencil holder idea – GENIUS!
grace
http://herumbrella.com
The bedside table is awesome… yes, but I have to admit the writing on the wall is what was really catching my eye 😉 It all looks great!
These are perfect! Just what I need, all my books, bottles, earrings etc end up in a pile on my bedside table. I love the idea of the storage spaces, especially the pencil holder – too cute. Time to get out the tool kit! Thanks for the inspiration 🙂
Everything I own is in my bedside table-drawer. Creams, nail polish, pens, cash, phone & camera chargers, passport, etc etc. That’s why I need drawers! I’m so messsssy!
– coralynxblog.com
That room is absolutely adorable!!!
This is lovely!
Perfect for a small place like mine!
🙂 Liz @ http://www.rusticpeach.com
This is an awesome idea! I want to make more custom furniture once I move into the new place I’m building with my partner, and bedside tables and a coffee table are right up there on my list! For mine, I want a draw on the bottom (I have baskets that I’ll use for the draw), so I’ll make it based on the basket sizes. Custom furniture is the best!
omg this diy is awesome I was looking for something small but useful for my new house this looks perfect! xx. gigi. food and beauty blogger @ http://www.gigikkitchen.blogspot.com
Absolutely adorable! And theoretically you could extend it to a sideboard. If I only had a friend to do that for me..
Looks amazing! I want to attempt it!!
xoBrittany
brittanykytecreated.blogspot.com
I hear you. I have been looking for the perfect carpet for my kitchen for YEARS! It all started with that I once actually had the perfect blue and white striped carpet with beautiful rough structure. It was unfortunately worn out and I have been on the hunt ever since trying to find something even better – so far no luck! I’m with you, if you cannot find your dream piece, no matter it’s a piece of clothingm furniture or carpet, you may just as well do-it-yourself.
Nice blog. Stop by mine if you have time.
XXX/ Bella in Hong Kong
http://www.shoebox-living.com
The wall with words is a great idea…
That looks nice. I like your creative things. Have a nice day.
http://www.fashiondenis.com/
Finding the perfect bedside table was also a challenge for me. It took me weeks on research and finally I also opted for some DIY. 🙂
I love this table, it’s simple and original style!!!
http://www.thestelstyle.com
that wallpaper is lush!!
Cool table!
http://fashionbrunette.blogspot.com
Its turned out great, really love the little pencil compartment
Zoe
http://gypsiesister.blogspot.co.uk
Fantastic !!!!!!! Today in my blog: Bright Flowers. Thanks you for you visit!!Kiss from Spain
http://tecuentomistrucos.blogspot.com/
love it !
http://www.thestilettoholic.com/
Love from Paris
I love this DIY project.
Are there any posts about the how to do the writing on the wall behind the bed?
Already loved your DIY for making new things out of vintage but now you do vintage out of brand new material… I’m officially addicted to your DIY ! (and proud of it!)
http://hidinginheaven.blogspot.fr/2013/04/the-one-with-snakeskin-clutch.html
too cool! don’t we wish we we’re all that handy xD
We’re moving to a new house and we need narrower bedside tables. I might try making them.
That’s a very nice idea! I like it!
V
Fantastic, what a great tutorial! I love the clean lines and functionality of this, as well.
Awesome! I would love to get my hands into a DIY that requires some power tools and wood! This might just be a perfect start!
Thanks for the design details.
xo Janika
http://crazysketchbook.blogspot.com/
I know I should comment on the bedside table but guys how nice is the wall with the words??? Love this interior idea!
If you love creativity just visite my blog if you like!
Xo maschalina
http://maschalina.blogspot.co.at
If I hadn’t seen the making of pictures I’d never believe that was a DIY. I want one now.
Love it! Now to find the Time to build it myself….
I really like it, it seems a great idea 😉
http://elianass.wordpress.com/
I love the little place for the pencils. Super cute and functional!
http://www.thistooisfoundhere.blogspot.com
I am so in the same boat right now. In the middle of a big bedroom re-do and bedside tables is the one thing I haven’t figured out yet! I especially like the casters on the table, great idea. Thanks! theyearoflivingfabulously.com
Super great idea guys!
I love these posts!
http://talisatalksbeauty.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/trilogy-rosehip-oil-antioxidant.html
It really fits in with the feel of the room! And I love the colourful jars 🙂
http://blueeyedgirlstrikesback.wordpress.com/
Very cool! When I first saw it I though you bought it. Looks really great.
Love this idea!
Lulu xx
http://luluslittlewonderland.blogspot.com
So talented! This is so cute I love it!
xoxo
Juliette Laura
juliettelaura.blogspot.com
It’s so perfect; elegant yet functional, and I love the cute little pencil holder.
Love a great DIY! Thanks for sharing! Love the writing on the wall as well! Great blog!
-SJ
http://www.fashinny.blogspot.com
LOVE the table, and am obsessed with the writing on the back wall. Is that a print on canvas, or paint on the wall? Just found your blog, and can’t wait to read more:) Love from Nepal…Katie
I recently moved and had no storage space in my teeny-tiny bathroom, so I turned an old kitchen cubboard into (temporary) storage space. I turned it upside down and added wheels, so the handle is at the right hight and you can move it around when cleaning the bathroom. All it needs now is a bit of paint and a new knob or handle. With this solution it doesn’t matter if I take forever to find the right new furniture, because this temp solution looks great! Maybe I’ll even keep it this way…
I WILL do this!
What a great table. My husband doesn’t know it yet but he’ll be making one for me.
Great table, so useful. I want one.
this is sort of genius. Particularly the little pencil nook. I’m always searching for pens / pencils in the basket i keep under my bedside table. what an easy, cool idea. thanks for sharing!!
I feel like have had the same problem finding bedside tables that I like and that work with my bed. I have drawers built into my bed so regular night stands don’t work. Do you have any suggestions on how to build a wall mounted shelf-thing like a cubby that would make a great bedside table?
Love this idea for my fiance’s side of the bed. He has a cheap composite bookshelf and I want to throw it out. However, I can’t find anything that I think would go there without being too tall or too expensive. I even have the perfect legs for it too just need the wood!
xo Amber P.
http://theowlsden.blogspot.com
Absolutely love it!
I think I pin everyone of your posts to my Project board on Pinterest! 🙂 This side table is so my style. Love it!
this looks so cool!