Looking for a functional and stylish nightstand project? This nightstand with a built-in power strip was designed and built by Gunflint Designs. This guide will walk you through the steps to create your own bedside table that not only looks great but also enhances your bedroom’s functionality.
Materials and Tools Needed
- Walnut lumber for the tops and drawer faces
- Oak plywood for the sides and back
- Wood glue
- Drawer slides
- Power strip
- CA glue
- General Finish’s Armor Seal for finishing
- Table saw
- Router table
- Miter saw
- Dado blades
- Band clamps
- Squeeze clamps
- Self-centering drill bit
- Drill press or handheld drill
Step 1: Preparing the Lumber
Start by dimensioning a bunch of rough lumber. For the legs, you’ll need thick pieces that you can cut to two inches by two inches. The walnut will be used for the tops and visible parts, while the oak plywood will serve as the less visible sides and back. Surface the lumber on three sides and run each piece through the table saw to cut off the rough edges.
Step 2: Cutting the Legs
Once you have your lumber ready, set the flip stop on the miter gauge fence to cut all the legs to their final length. This will ensure uniformity across all pieces.
Step 3: Creating the Joinery
With all legs cut to size, position them to mark where the dados will be cut for the side panels. Set up the router to cut the dados using a feather board to keep the workpiece pushed against the fence. Make sure to cut the dados snugly to fit the panels.
Step 4: Assembling the Frame
Dry fit all the pieces to check the quality of the joinery. After ensuring everything lines up perfectly, it’s time to glue the pieces together in stages. Start with the middle shelves and legs, using band clamps to secure the corners. Follow this up with the top shelf and then attach the back and side panels.
Step 5: Adding Cosmetic Pieces
To finish up the bottom of the cabinet, cut some end grain strips from the offcuts of the shelf panels and glue them to the bottom of the side panels for a polished look. This design element will also help with structural integrity.
Step 6: Constructing the Drawers
For the drawers, start by cutting walnut strips to glue across one edge of your drawer material. This will hide the visible edge of the plywood. Assemble the drawer bodies using half lap joints and dados for the bottoms.
Step 7: Installing Drawer Slides
Use a drawer slide jig to install the undermount slides. Make sure to drill pilot holes for securing the slides in place. Repeat this process for the other side of the cabinet.
Step 8: Attaching the Drawer Hardware
Use a jig to attach the hardware to the drawers, ensuring that everything is aligned properly for a smooth operation. The soft-close function of the slides is a nice touch!
Step 9: Adding the Built-In Power Strip
Mark the location for your built-in power strip on the back panel and cut out the appropriate space. This feature will enhance the functionality of your nightstand, making it easy to charge devices.
Step 10: Finishing Touches
Apply General Finish’s Armor Seal to protect the wood and enhance its appearance. After the finish dries, install the drawer fronts and complete the assembly.
Final Thoughts
This nightstand not only adds style to your bedroom but also provides convenient power access. The built-in power strip is a game changer for charging devices and keeping your bedside organized.