Create this gorgeous Pottery Barn Inspired DIY Nightstand in a day. That’s right! Super affordable and super easy. Learn how NOW!
It all started one blissful morning at my local Walmart after I dropped Miss Ava off for daycare.
I realized that I had no clue what I wanted to do about nightstands for Mike and I’s master bedroom makeover.
We honestly don’t need them, but I wanted to fill the spaces next to each side of the bed since it looked very plain jane. Plus, the last time I tried to fill the space with window shutters and these lamp shade pendant lights we never even used them. Major bummer, but you live and you learn.
So, what do you know… as I’m perusing the aisles looking for inspiration I see these two folding tv trays for a whopping $10 apiece.
That my friend, is most definitely within my budget even if I had no clue at the time how I would make them look “pretty”.
Anybody else do this?
DIY Nightstand Plans
As in, you buy stuff you think you can use, and then stare at them for a few hours contemplating the most useful ways to use?
This is also the point where I usually start rummaging through my humongous stack of home decor magazines (hence how I found a similar Pottery Barn creation!) and mixing/mashing ideas together until I finally find something I like.
There are probably one hundred and one different ways you could go about creating this gem of a DIY nightstand, but I’m a creature of habit and decided to keep it simple.
Materials
- TV Trays (even though I got mine at Walmart these are pretty comparable!)
- Table Saw
- 1/2″ plywood
- 1-3/16″ Brad Nails (or finish nails)
- Brad Nail Gun (or hammer)
- Screwdriver
- Hinges
- Wood Carving Kit (optional, but helpful!)
- Satin Exterior Paint (mine is in white)
- Paintbrush and/or Foam Paint Roller
- Antique Copper Cup Pull Label Holder
Steps
1. First of all, in order to start these super simple DIY nightstand plans I removed the “legs” from both of my stands
2. Then, remove the rounded corners with your table saw. This will help keep everything lined up just the way I like it!
NOTE: Mike and I tend to be hoarders of wood so I just used some scrap pieces of 1/2″ plywood we had on hand to create the top “box”.
3. Also, to keep everything lined up exactly how the pieces arrived I decided to use the “tray” portion as my bottom piece. I could still see the holes for my legs, and like I said… let’s just keep this project easy. 😉
The Easiest Pottery Barn Inspired DIY Nightstand
4. Technically for a project like this you’ll want to use something like a non-mortise hinge (basically a hinge that is hidden), but unfortunately we had no such luck finding any so we decided to use these hinges below instead.
NOTE: The only disadvantage to using a hinge like this is that there can be a small gap in between your door and the connecting bottom.
5. To fix this problem you can carve out a little bit of the wood with a wood carving chisel set as seen below.
NOTE: Since I was kind of winging this project and making it up as I went (huge shocker–I know, again) I would HIGHLY suggest putting your hinges onto your bottom board PRIOR to attaching your box. It just makes life much easier.
6. Reattach your tv stand tray legs.
7. And now it’s time to paint! I have a huge crush on satin exterior paint in just the standard white. I can’t explain it, but it’s just my favorite and go-to.
Please excuse the mess. Ava and I were making memories.
The Part of Making a DIY Nightstand
One of the best things about creating your own furniture is making space for hiding the randomness that you might need.
What am I going to fill in mine?
Well, it’ll start off with magazines. However, I have a feeling it’ll end up with Barbies and leftover graham crackers at some point. Sigh. It’s the thought that counts, right?
8. Finally, I added this gorgeous antique copper cup pull label holder to the fronts.
Not a fan of the white? No problem! All you need is a little bit of paint in the color of your choice.
For instance, I choose white to make these DIY nightstands pop out from my navy walls, but I’m very certain they’d look amazing in just about any color. Only your imagination is the limit!
I can’t tell you how amazing they look in person, and they seriously were sooooo easy to make! Must try? Uhhh.. hell yea!
The Easiest Pottery Barn Inspired DIY Nightstand of Your Dreams
Here’s what I’ve gotten done so far:
come up with a planpaint bedanddressernew sheets and bedskirt (keep duvet)design/create bedside tables- update the ceiling lighting and bedside lamps
add a rugfind new curtains- add a little wall bling
If you loved these ideas then you’ll definitely want to browse some of my other DIY projects. They’re full of step-by-step tutorials as well as freebies galore! Can’t wait to see you again! – LZ
Let’s be Social
- Instagram @thesummeryumbrella
- Pinterest summeryumbrella
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How to Paint and Distress Metal Bar Stools 
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DIY Mason Jar Pendant Light 
DIY Nightstand
This post was originally created in January 2017, and then updated in October 2020.
LZ, these are awesome nightstands!!! Love the white! His and her labels are a great idea! Nice job on these nightstands!!
Thank you so much, Keri! I am very excited for these new additions and so happy to hear that you like them too 🙂
LZ, love your creativity in imagining and then bringing your creation to fruition. It’s fantastic. And so much better that you have such a great assistant. She’ll be a creator too.
Happy Thursday, Lynn
Thank you so much, Lynn!! I completely agree. Having an assistant always helps 😉
I’m wandering over from The Creative Circle. I really love your nightstand! Nice blog. I will be back.
Thank you so much, Angela! This is definitely a favorite project of mine, and I’m so happy that you love it too 🙂
Very cute nightstands! Off the subject, but did you know that it’s very bad for children to sit with their legs in the position your daughter’s are in, in that photo?
Hi and thank you for your sweet words! I will definitely make sure Miss Ava doesn’t sit like that in the future 🙂
Love it and so happy to have a handy woman contributing on Craft schooling sunday, great inspiration!
Yay! So happy you love it too 🙂
Very clever LZ! Great job!
Thanks for the sweet words and stopping by, Heather 🙂
Hi Lz – wow, this looks fabulous! Visiting from Create Link Inspire and pinning! Thanks for sharing – have a happy week!
So happy you love it, Cindy! Thank you so much for dropping by 🙂
Oh My Goodness!! Brilliant idea and they turned out amazing! i like how your mind works! You did a lovely job! I hope you have a great week!
Smiles!
Terry
The Curator’s Collection & Making Broken Beautiful
http://thecuratorscollection.wordpress.com
You are too kind, Terry!! I was so happy how awesome this project turned out, and it’s so great to hear that others love it too. Win, win, right?! 🙂
If I haven’t done so, I would love to invite you over at Blogger Spotlight Link and Pin-it Party! It runs every Thursdays, 7pm PST until Tuesdays, 7pm. We pin all the entries and you will be seen on five blogs. Hope to see you there!
Thank you so much, Cristina!! I’ll stop on over 🙂
Wow…I have to admit that I’m pretty jealous of your craftiness…LOL! This turned out amazing! Thanks so much for sharing your project with us at Share The Wealth Sunday! xoxo
Aww thanks, Lisa!! You’re too sweet 🙂
Hi LZ,
Thanks so much for linking to Frugal Mommas. We love having you share this awesome DIY nightstand with us.
Susie from The Chelsea Project
Thank you so much, Susie!!
I never knew what to do with mine! We actually just sold them at a yard sale yesterday! Wish I would have seen this first. 😉 Thanks for sharing on the #BloggersGetSocial Get It Together link party!
Isn’t that funny how that happens?! I don’t know how many times I’ve wished I’ve kept a piece of furniture after I’ve seen inspiration somewhere. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
You did an awesome job! Seriously they look great! I used to live in Durango Colorado and while there were a ton of cute touristy shops there wasn’t a lot of real shopping, we did have a Walmart through where everyone in town shopped at. I was definitely grateful for it, but really happy when we moved and there were more options too.
Thanks for linking up with the Best of the Blogosphere!
Thank you, Emmy! Oh good, so you know my pain?! Lol. If I didn’t enjoy living in the country so much I’d definitely move closer to the city again, but… I guess I’ll just have to “suffer” through it for now 😉
What a great diy idea~ Love it! Thanks for bringing this by Throwback Thursday!
Mollie
Thank you, and no problem! 🙂
What an awesome knock off / DIY! Love it. Pinned & shared.Thanks for sharing at the Inspiration Spotlight party!
Thank you so much for sharing!! I am still so excited how well it turned out 🙂
Fantastic and love all the in-progress shots. They’re so helpful. Thanks for joining us at #SaucySAturdays.
You’re very welcome! I’m such a visual person so I try to take as many as possible. Thanks for having me again 🙂
Wow!! I can’t ever imagine making something so beautiful! It looks like you bought it from an expensive store. Gorgeous.. Thanks for joining us at #SaucySaturday. Pinned!! Please join us tomorrow too 🙂
This is super cute!! I bet I could find those tables at a thrift store, too. Can’t wait to make a pair of these for my bedroom. Thank you for linking up with #FoodieFriDIY
That’s a great idea too! Probably could make this project even cheaper 🙂
A few years late but I’m glad I found myself checking out your site!
I love the white tables, and the fact that they were old tv trays make them even more awesome in my opinion.
I’m looking forward to seeing other creative projects that you’ve been working on.
Thank you so much, Lynn! I’m so happy that you found my site too 🙂 Have a wonderful New Year and thanks again!