Create this gorgeous Pottery Barn Inspired DIY Nightstand in a day. That’s right! Super affordable and super easy. MUST PIN!
It all started one blissful morning at my local Walmart.
P.S. Have I mentioned before that my town (of approximately 4K) just got a Walmart?
Well, we did, and it’s fabulous. It’s the only thing less than 30 miles away where I can buy a ton of blog and shop supplies all in one location, and for a decent penny. You wouldn’t believe how many times I needed something for a project I’m working on, and now I don’t have to waste 2 hours of my day leaving town.
So, it all began one morning after I dropped Miss Ava off for daycare. I soon 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 pretty horrible just 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 a piece (they might even be cheaper at your local store).
That my friend, is most definitely within my budget even if I had no clue at the time how I would make look “pretty”.
Anybody else do this?
As in, buy stuff you think you can use, and then stare at them for a few hours contemplating the most useful ways to use your new purchase?
This is usually the point where I start rummaging through my humongous stack of home decor magazines (hence how I found a similar Pottery Barn creation!) and mixing and mashing together ideas until I finally find something I like.
DIY Nightstand Plans
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.
First of all, in order to start these super simple DIY nightstand plans I removed the “legs” from both of my stands and then removed the rounded corners with our handy dandy table saw. This will help me keep everything lined up just the way I like it!
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”.
So, during the extent of this project I also realized two things.
1.) Mike needs more countertops in his shop.
2.) I need to invent another use for sawdust. We accumulate so much of that stuff, and you would think that there would be a better use for it.
I know, I know. This is pretty deep stuff.
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. ;)
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.
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.
Furthermore, to fix this problem you can carve out a little bit of the wood with a wood carving chisel set
Side 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.
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.
On the first table I painted my legs and box separately, but I found it unnecessary to proceed in this manner on the second one. I went ahead and attached the legs and was relieved how much faster the whole process went since I could reach every side of my new DIY nightstand in an upright position.
Please excuse the mess. Ava and I were making memories.
One of the best things about creating your own furniture is making space for hiding your 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?
Finally, I added this gorgeous antique copper cup pull label holder to the fronts.
I’m still debating if I’d like to add a label or not. Mike suggested “his” and “her”. What do you guys think?
The Easiest Pottery Barn Inspired DIY Nightstand of Your Dreams
I can’t tell you how amazing they look in person, and they seriously were sooooo easy to make! Must try? Uhhh.. hell yea!
Gotta love this little monkey!
3.) new sheets and bedskirt (keep duvet)
4.) design/create bedside tables
5.) update the ceiling lighting and bedside lamps
6.) add a rug
Happy DIYing and see ya next time!
Keri says
January 13, 2016 at 9:56 amLZ, these are awesome nightstands!!! Love the white! His and her labels are a great idea! Nice job on these nightstands!!
LZ Cathcart says
January 13, 2016 at 8:10 pmThank you so much, Keri! I am very excited for these new additions and so happy to hear that you like them too :)
Lynn says
January 14, 2016 at 6:46 amLZ, 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
LZ Cathcart says
January 16, 2016 at 9:42 amThank you so much, Lynn!! I completely agree. Having an assistant always helps ;)
Angela says
January 22, 2016 at 12:25 pmI’m wandering over from The Creative Circle. I really love your nightstand! Nice blog. I will be back.
LZ Cathcart says
January 23, 2016 at 10:42 amThank you so much, Angela! This is definitely a favorite project of mine, and I’m so happy that you love it too :)
Kandis says
March 23, 2016 at 11:55 amVery 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?
LZ Cathcart says
March 25, 2016 at 3:57 pmHi and thank you for your sweet words! I will definitely make sure Miss Ava doesn’t sit like that in the future :)
creativejewishmom/sara says
March 27, 2016 at 11:49 amLove it and so happy to have a handy woman contributing on Craft schooling sunday, great inspiration!
LZ Cathcart says
March 31, 2016 at 3:08 pmYay! So happy you love it too :)
Heather @ Viral Upcycle says
March 28, 2016 at 8:27 pmVery clever LZ! Great job!
LZ Cathcart says
March 31, 2016 at 3:08 pmThanks for the sweet words and stopping by, Heather :)
Cindy Eikenberg says
March 29, 2016 at 5:58 amHi Lz – wow, this looks fabulous! Visiting from Create Link Inspire and pinning! Thanks for sharing – have a happy week!
LZ Cathcart says
March 31, 2016 at 3:05 pmSo happy you love it, Cindy! Thank you so much for dropping by :)
Terry says
March 29, 2016 at 1:41 pmOh 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
LZ Cathcart says
March 31, 2016 at 3:03 pmYou 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?! :)
Cristina Mandeville says
April 1, 2016 at 6:59 pmIf 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!
LZ Cathcart says
April 9, 2016 at 1:40 pmThank you so much, Cristina!! I’ll stop on over :)
Lisa @ Fun Money Mom says
April 2, 2016 at 2:28 pmWow…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
LZ Cathcart says
April 9, 2016 at 1:54 pmAww thanks, Lisa!! You’re too sweet :)
Susie from The Chelsea Project says
April 3, 2016 at 7:51 amHi 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
LZ Cathcart says
April 9, 2016 at 5:19 pmThank you so much, Susie!!
Krystal says
April 3, 2016 at 10:45 amI 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!
LZ Cathcart says
April 9, 2016 at 5:26 pmIsn’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 :)
Emmy says
April 4, 2016 at 12:04 amYou 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!
LZ Cathcart says
April 9, 2016 at 5:34 pmThank 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 ;)
Frugal Hausfrau says
April 4, 2016 at 12:20 amWhat a great diy idea~ Love it! Thanks for bringing this by Throwback Thursday!
Mollie
LZ Cathcart says
April 5, 2016 at 9:15 pmThank you, and no problem! :)
Theresa @DearCreatives says
April 4, 2016 at 1:02 amWhat an awesome knock off / DIY! Love it. Pinned & shared.Thanks for sharing at the Inspiration Spotlight party!
LZ Cathcart says
April 5, 2016 at 8:58 pmThank you so much for sharing!! I am still so excited how well it turned out :)
Christine | Mid-Life Croissant says
April 6, 2016 at 9:30 amFantastic and love all the in-progress shots. They’re so helpful. Thanks for joining us at #SaucySAturdays.
LZ Cathcart says
April 9, 2016 at 5:35 pmYou’re very welcome! I’m such a visual person so I try to take as many as possible. Thanks for having me again :)
swayam says
April 8, 2016 at 10:10 amWow!! 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 :)
Christie says
April 11, 2016 at 6:45 pmThis 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
LZ Cathcart says
April 17, 2016 at 10:32 amThat’s a great idea too! Probably could make this project even cheaper :)
Lynn says
November 29, 2019 at 3:54 pmA 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.
LZ Cathcart says
January 1, 2020 at 8:45 amThank you so much, Lynn! I’m so happy that you found my site too :) Have a wonderful New Year and thanks again!